MK Controls Lightning Bug User manual

Rev: Version 3.1d May 9th, 2017 Page 2 of 27
Lightning Bug™
Version 3.1
Instruction Manual
Please remember that your safety is much more important than getting the shot.
MK Controls, Inc. is not liable for any injuries or damage that may occur while
using our products. Being safe should always be your primary concern. Lightning
can be lethal. Be sure to seek shelter if a storm is too close!
Please note: MK Controls, Inc. is not liable for any damage or injury associated
with the use of the Lightning Bug™.

Rev: Version 3.1d May 9th, 2017 Page 3 of 27
Table of Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................ 4
Lightning BugTM Features .................................................................................... 6
Specifications ...................................................................................................... 7
Battery Installation/Removal .............................................................................. 8
Camera Connection............................................................................................. 9
Operation ......................................................................................................... 10
Standard Operating Mode ................................................................................ 12
Fireworks Mode ................................................................................................ 14
Additional Features .......................................................................................... 16
Photography Tips .............................................................................................. 19
Troubleshooting ............................................................................................... 21
Lightning Safety ................................................................................................ 23
Warranty .......................................................................................................... 24
Company Information ....................................................................................... 27
Please note: MK Controls, Inc. is not liable for any damage or injury associated
with the use of the Lightning Bug™. Lightning Bug™ is a trademark of MK
Controls, Inc.

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Introduction
The Lightning Bug™ – Engineered for your imagination.
The Lightning Bug™ is based upon the science of lightning. There are two
components of lightning; the bright white flash everyone wants to capture and
the unseen infrared light that always precedes it. The Lightning Bug™ uses a high-
speed photodiode sensor optimized to sense the infrared burst that occurs just
before a lightning strike. This infrared light comes from the vaporization of air and
particles in the air. The Lightning Bug™ acts as a lookout for your camera,
watching for a change in infrared light. When a significant change of infrared light
over a very short period of time is detected, it trips the camera shutter to capture
the visible lightning bolt.
The Lightning Bug™ can also be used to take photos of fireworks, cannon shots,
virtually anything that produces a fast-acting rise of infrared light formed by a
high-temperature event.
The Lightning BugTM exclusive sensitivity adjustment circuitry allows the
photographer to customize the unit’s operation to any shooting situation. This
gives the photographer full control over when to take the picture. If you only
wanted to capture the brightest and closest lightning bolts you would decrease
the sensitivity. If you wanted to capture lightning over the city or mountains from
a long distance, just increase the sensitivity. Only the Lightning Bug™ gives you
this level of control.
The Lightning BugTM has, as standard, premium features not found in simpler
lightning detectors. The user can limit the number of possible exposures per
second to between 1 and 10. This feature allows you to capture repeated
lightning strikes successfully, up to the maximum frame rate of your camera.
When trying to capture weather events, your photography gear can get wet;
we’ve designed the Lightning Bug™ to withstand exposure to rain. The design
incorporates weather resistant soft touch buttons.

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The hot shoe mount included on the Lightning Bug may have an external flash PC
port, or a ¼-20 mount, depending on when it was purchased. Starting in August
of 2015, in response to customer suggestions, we modified our hot shoe mount to
incorporate a standard threaded mounting port.
To help you get the most out of your purchase please take a few minutes to read
this manual. If you still have questions about using your Lightning Bug™, feel free
to email our technical support team at [email protected]. We’ll be happy
to assist.
For examples of the kinds of images that can be taken using the Lightning BugTM,
please look at our gallery website page: http://www.mkcontrols.com/gallery
Here are a few images created using the Lightning Bug™.

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Lightning BugTM Features
- 26 Levels of sensitivity adjustment.
- Automatic or manual operation of the camera’s meter.
- Auto-meter Off feature to help preserve your camera battery during long
sessions.
- Exclusive Fireworks delay mode – allows a delay between the initial
detected burst, and the actual shutter release. The delay can be adjusted
from 0 to 2.25 seconds in 1/4 second increments.
- Attaches to your camera via an industry standard hotshoe mount. Cables
are available to fit a wide range of cameras.
- Three simple buttons control all of the features.
- Allows limiting of frames per second – can be adjusted from 1 to 10 FPS.
- Water resistant overlay with soft-touch controls protects the Lightning
Bug™ from inclement weather, and ensures that it won’t be accidentally
turned on or off.
- Highly visible orange LED display shows at a glance the current
configuration settings.
- Bright yellow LED flashes when the unit detects an event within its field of
view.
- Allows testing of your camera connection.
- Retains user settings, even with battery removed.
- Power saving mode to prolong battery life.
- Battery can be removed or replaced without removing the Lightning
BugTM from your camera.
- Power On Self-Test (POST) insures that the unit is operational every time
you turn it on.
- Electrical isolation between the unit and your camera via MOSFET
technology to protect the camera’s electronics.

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Specifications
Front overhang from center of camera shoe: 3.51” / 89.15 mm
Rear overhang from center of camera shoe: 0.74” / 18.80 mm
Overall Height not including shoe mount: 1.13” / 28.70 mm
Overall Height including shoe mount: 2.10” / 53.34 mm
Overall Length: 4.25” / 107.95 mm
Overall Width: 2.60” / 66.04 mm
Weight without battery: 2.96 oz / 83.9 g
Weight with battery: 4.48 oz / 127.0 g
Camera connector port~: 2.5mm Stereo
Battery*: Standard 9 Volt
~Please contact MK Controls, Inc. Technical Support for more information if you intend to make your own
cables.
* MK Controls, Inc. recommends either an Alkaline or General Purpose battery. Rechargeable batteries are not
recommended.

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Battery Installation/Removal
The Lightning Bug™ case incorporates a battery compartment at the rear of the
unit. A small latch unlocks a removable battery compartment door.
A standard 9 Volt battery is required for operation. To insert it, gently pull the 9V
connector wires out from the compartment and attach a battery. The leads will
only allow the battery to be connected in one direction, and snap the leads in
place.
After installation of the battery, the compartment door should be replaced – it
snaps into position with an audible click.
To remove the battery, reverse the process.
Please note:
MK Controls, Inc. does not recommend leaving the battery in place during long storage periods.
There is a slight current draw whenever the battery is installed, and after a period of months
the battery may no longer have sufficient operating power if left in the Lightning BugTM during
long-term storage. In addition, batteries can, on occasion, leak electrolytes. This fluid is
corrosive, and can damage the circuitry of the Lightning Bug™, in addition to the battery
connector. The Lightning Bug™ Warranty does not cover damage due to a leaking battery.
Rechargeable batteries are not recommended for use in the Lightning Bug™ due to the current
consumption characteristics of the circuitry during operation.

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Camera Connection
Each Lightning Bug™ purchased includes one cable for connection to your camera.
Additional and/or replacement cables are available from MK Controls, Inc.
The camera connector has a 2.5mm stereo male plug on one end, and the
appropriate connector for your camera on the other. The 2.5mm female socket is
located at the lower right on the unit. When inserting the cable, please make
sure it is fully seated for proper operation.
The camera connector is specific for the model camera you’re using – please
follow manufacturer’s recommendations for insertion of this connector.
When the Lightning Bug™ is powered on, it will automatically activate your
camera’s meter (on cameras that support this feature). Turning the unit ‘off’
automatically will release the meter. There is also a feature that allows your
meter to always remain deactivated until the shutter is tripped – please see the
‘Additional Features’ section for more information.
The Lightning Bug™ is designed to fit an industry standard shoe mount, and is self-
explanatory. For SONY cameras, a hotshoe adapter may be required – see our
website for full details.
WARNING – Do NOT leave the cable inserted in the Lightning Bug™ during storage – this may
damage to the connector. The Lightning Bug™ Warranty does not cover this type of damage.

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Operation
Mounting the Lightning BugTM on a Camera
First, make sure that both the Lightning BugTM and your camera are powered off.
Attach the unit to your camera’s hotshoe, and then install the shutter cable. You
can then power both units on – either can be turned on first.
Point your camera, and the let the Lightning Bug™ do the rest!
Basic User Controls
The Lightning Bug™ has three ‘soft-touch’ buttons that are used to operate all of
the features:
On/Off
Decrease Sensitivity (or Delay in Fireworks Mode)
Increase Sensitivity (or Delay in Fireworks Mode)
Standard Mode vs. Fireworks Mode
While powering on the Lightning Bug™, the unit will start in Standard Mode
(suitable for Lightning photography) or Fireworks Mode (allows for delayed
shutter release) depending on which buttons are held down during startup.
To start the unit in Standard Mode, press and hold the On/Off button for
approximately 2 seconds.
To start the unit in Fireworks Mode, press and hold the On/Off button, and the
Increase Sensitivity button (the rightmost button) simultaneously for
approximately 2 seconds, then release both buttons.

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When the Lightning Bug™ is first turned on, it will display the current firmware
version by illuminating the LED’s. This version information will remain displayed
until the power button is released. This manual describes firmware version 3.1,
which will be displayed as shown here:
After releasing the power button, the unit will then execute a Power On Self-Test
(POST), which will light up all of the LED’s and perform an internal function
verification. If during the POST you notice that any LED’s fail to illuminate, please
contact MK Controls, Inc. Technical Support for troubleshooting.
The Lightning Bug™ remembers important settings including the Frames per
Second, the Meter On/Off Mode, and the Sensitivity; these all will load at startup.
To help preserve your camera battery, the Lightning Bug™ will automatically turn
your meter off after approximately 15 minutes of inactivity.

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Standard Operating Mode
Decrease Sensitivity
Press this button to decrease the sensitivity of the Lightning Bug™. When this
button is pressed, the bargraph display (orange LED’s) will show the current
sensitivity level. There are a total of 26 levels of available sensitivity. The factory
default setting is level 12.
Increase Sensitivity
Press this button to increase the sensitivity of the Lightning Bug™. When this
button is pressed, the bargraph display (orange LED’s) will be show the current
sensitivity level.
Determining the Current Sensitivity
The orange LEDs on the top of the Lightning BugTM will always display the current
sensitivity level whenever the unit is powered on. See Table 1 for more details.
When making adjustments, all the LED’s to the leftmost side will illuminate to
allow easier visualization of the setting. Within approximately 1 second of no
further adjustments, the display will return to the normal display mode, showing
the current setting.
The yellow LED (shaped like a lightning bolt) illuminates whenever the unit has
detected an event and has tripped the shutter. When making adjustments to the
Meter Mode or Frames per Second Mode, this LED flashes at a rate of
approximately 2 times per second.

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Table 1: LED Bar graph Display:
Shown below, Level 1 is the LEAST sensitive, Level 26 is the MOST sensitive
setting.
Standard Mode:
Normal (low power) display:
Displayed while making adjustments:

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Fireworks Mode
When the unit starts in Fireworks Mode, the yellow activity light will flash to let
you know you’re in this special mode. To exit this mode, you must turn the unit
off, then back on again. NOTE: Fireworks generate very small amounts of IR light
as compared to a lightning bolt; because of this, you must be relatively close to
the fireworks to be successful – generally within ½ mile. Local conditions such as
humidity, altitude, and ambient temperature can have an effect on how well the
Lightning BugTM will be able to detect fireworks.
The Fireworks Mode allows you to choose a delay time between the capture of
the ‘burst’ and the release of the shutter, allowing time for the event to fully
bloom before tripping your camera. When in Fireworks Mode, the sensitivity is
automatically set to the 3rd from highest level.
Decrease Delay
Press this button to decrease the time delay. There are a total of 10 levels of
available delay, ranging from 0 seconds to 2.25 seconds in 1/4 second increments.
The factory default setting is 0 seconds.
Increase Delay
Press this button to increase the time delay.
Determining the Current Delay Level
The orange LEDs on the top of the Lightning BugTM will always display the current
delay level whenever the unit is powered on. See Table 2 for more details.
When making adjustments, all the LED’s to the leftmost side will illuminate to
allow visualization of the setting. Within approximately 1 second of no further
adjustments, the display will return to the normal display mode, showing the
current setting.

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The yellow LED (shaped like a lightning bolt) will always flash twice, then delay,
and repeat this sequence approximately once every 2 seconds.
Table 2: LED Bar graph Display:
Shown below, a setting of 1 is equivalent to NO delay, a setting of 10 is
equivalent to a 2.25 second delay.
Normal (low power) display:
Displayed while making adjustments:

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Additional Features
Adjust Frames per Second
You can adjust the maximum~ number of frames per second that the Lightning
Bug™ will cause a shutter trip. This can be adjusted from as few as 1 per second,
to as many as 10 per second. The factory default setting is 4 FPS. The Lightning
Bug™ will only trip your camera once per lightning strike.
To adjust the FPS, the unit must be powered on. Simultaneously press the On/Off
Button and the Decrease Sensitivity Button and hold them for approximately 1
second.
+
The yellow detection light will flash at a rate of approximately 2 times per second
when this mode is correctly entered. Use the Sensitivity Buttons to decrease or
increase the number of frames per second. The orange LED display will be
updated to show the current setting from 1 to 10. If no keystrokes are detected
within approximately 3 seconds, the FPS setting is stored, and the unit returns to
the normal operating mode (the yellow detection light will cease to flash). You
can also press the Power Button to immediately exit the adjustment mode and
return to normal operation.
Adjust Active/Inactive Meter Mode
By default, the Lightning Bug™ will activate your camera’s meter anytime the unit
is powered on. This functions on most cameras as if the shutter was held down
halfway. This greatly reduces the lag between the Lightning Bug™ triggering the
camera and the camera actually taking the image. In most situations, this is the
ideal setting as it decreases the chance of missing an image.

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Powering off the Lightning Bug™ will deactivate the camera meter. This allows
easy review of any captured images. In some situations, it may be desirable to
have the Lightning Bug™ activate the camera’s meter only when the shutter is
triggered. This will allow you to review your image on the camera’s LCD after the
image is captured without turning off the Lightning Bug™.
Warning – if you enable this feature, you may miss shots. Enabling this feature
will increase the time it takes for the shutter to be triggered by the Lightning
Bug™
To modify this setting, the unit must first be powered on. Simultaneously press
the On/Off Button and the Increase Sensitivity Button and hold them for
approximately 1 second.
+
The yellow detection light will flash at a rate of approximately 2 times per second
when this mode is correctly entered. Press either Sensitivity Button to toggle
between the On and Off modes for automatic meter control. When the
automatic mode is On, the rightmost orange LED (below the + sign) will be
illuminated. When the automatic mode is Off, the leftmost orange LED (below
the – sign) will be illuminated. You can also press the Power Button to
immediately exit the adjustment mode and return to normal operation.
When the automatic meter control is Off, the meter will remain OFF until the
shutter trips. When the automatic meter control is On (factory default), the
meter will remain ON whenever the Lightning Bug™ is powered on (and will be
turned OFF when the unit is powered off).

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Verify Shutter Trip
You can verify that the unit is properly tripping your cameras shutter, and also
verify the FPS rate, by holding down both the Decrease and Increase Sensitivity
Buttons simultaneously.
+
While holding these buttons, the Lightning Bug™ will continuously trip your
camera shutter at the current FPS setting~. Release both buttons to return the
unit to the normal operating mode.
~ The Lightning Bug™ is not capable of exceeding your camera capacity for frames per second – this setting reflects
the number of times per second that the unit will ‘attempt’ to trip your shutter.

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Photography Tips
Camera Settings - Day or Night
1. Set your lens to Manual focus. Prefocus on your subject, i.e. a tree,
building etc. You can also focus on a distant subject, or set the lens on the
infinity setting (∞). With some lenses it helps to place a piece of tape on
the focus ring to hold the focus at the proper point.
Note: You can also use the hyperfocal method to ensure there will be enough Depth of
Field in your images. If you are unaware of how to use hyperfocal focusing, the Internet
is a valuable resource; there is ample information available.
2. Set the Lightning Bug™ to match the frames per second (FPS) that the
camera is using (see your camera manual for more information). This will
allow the Lightning Bug™ to drive the camera quickly in case of repeated
lightning strikes. In the right conditions with a fast camera, you can capture
up to 10 lightning strikes per second.
3. Disable live view on cameras that support this feature.
4. Disable mirror lockup on cameras that support this feature.
For day-time use
1. Set the camera to Aperture Priority (A mode). The camera will calculate the
proper shutter speed. Set your aperture using the chart below. If the
calculated shutter speed is faster than 1/60th of a second, either decrease
the ISO, or decrease the aperture (higher numbers). Shutter speeds faster
than 1/60th of a second may cause completion of the exposure prior to the
formation of the visible portion of the lightning strike.
2. Neutral density filters, or circular polarizing filters may be used as an aid to
decrease shutter speed.
3. You can increase or decrease the sensitivity on the Lightning Bug™ based
on shooting conditions. The default sensitivity is 12, out of 26 levels. The
Lightning Bug™ only triggers your camera’s shutter. Changing the
sensitivity only changes when the camera captures an image. It does not
change the exposure used by the camera during the capture.

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Use the chart below for recommended settings.
For night-time use
1. Set the camera to Manual Mode (M mode). Set your aperture using the
chart below.
2. Set the shutter speed to 1/4 second or longer. When shooting cityscapes,
capture several test images. You exposure should be for the ambient light
within your composition.
3. Be sure to experiment with shutter speeds.
Day
Close
Middle
Distant
Very Dim
ISO 100 @ f5.6
ISO 100 @ f4
ISO 200 @ f2.8
Average
ISO 100 @ f8
ISO 100 @ f5.6
ISO 200 @ f2.8
Very Bright
ISO 100 @ f16
ISO 100 @ f11
ISO 200 @ f4
Night
Close
Middle
Distant
Very Dim
ISO 200 @ f5.6
ISO 200 @ f4
ISO 400 @ f2.8
Average
ISO 200 @ f8
ISO 200 @ f5.6
ISO 400 @ f2.8
Very
Bright
ISO 100 @ f16
ISO 100 @ f11
ISO 200 @ f4