MK Controls Lightning Bug User manual

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 2 of 18
Table of Contents:
1) Introduction
2) Features
3) Specifications
4) Battery Installation / emoval
5) Camera Connection
6) Operation
7) Photography Tips
8) Synchronize External Flash
9) Lightning Safety
10) Warranty
11) Company Information
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC ules. Operation
is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may
not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
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 trademar of MK
Controls, Inc.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 3 of 18
Introduction:
The Lightning Bug™ ’automates’ the process of taking pictures of lightning (or
other similar events**) by sensing changes in the infrared light, and snapping
your camera shutter at exactly the right moment.
To help you get the most out of your purchase please take a few minutes to
read this manual, or at the least skim over it for the good parts. If you still have
questions about using your Lightning Bug™, feel free to email our technical
support team at [e-mail]. We’ll be happy to assist.
** The Lightning Bug™ can be used to take photos of fireworks, cannon shots, virtually anything that produces a
fast-acting rise of light formed by a high-temperature event.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 4 of 18
Features:
-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.
-26 Levels of sensitivity adjustment.
-Allows limiting of frames per second – can be adjusted from a 1 to 10 FPS.
-Allows automatic or manual operation of camera meter*.
-etains user settings, even with battery removed.
-Incorporates power saving features to prolong battery life.
-Allows removal and replacement of battery without removal from your
camera.
-Attaches to your camera via an industry standard hot-shoe mount.
-Cables are available to fit a wide range of cameras from a variety of
manufacturers.
-Allows synchronizing of an external flash unit for unique ‘foreground-fill’
shots.
-Provides electrical isolation between the unit, and your camera via
MOSFET technology.
-Three simple buttons control all of the features.
-Power On Self Test (POST) insures that the unit is operational every time
you turn it on.
* This feature only available if your unit has an 8-digit serial number, or a 12-digit serial number
starting with the digits 103. All other units can be sent back to MK Controls for a free upgrade – check
our website for complete details.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 5 of 18
Specifications:
Front overhang from center of camera shoe: 3.51” / 89.15 mm
ear 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
* MK Controls recommends either an Alkaline or General Purpose battery. echargeable Lithium, NICAD or
NiMH batteries are not recommended.
~Please contact MK Controls Technical Support if you intend to make your own cables for more information.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 6 of 18
Battery Installation/ emoval:
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 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 does not recommend leaving the battery in place during long
periods of disuse. There is a slight current draw whenever the battery is
inserted in the unit, and after a period of months, the battery may no longer
have sufficient operating power. 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 Warranty does not
cover damage due to a leaking battery.
echargeable batteries are not recommended for use in the Lightning Bug™ due
to the current consumption characteristics of the circuitry during operation.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 7 of 18
Camera Connection:
Each Lightning Bug™ purchased includes one cable for connection to your
camera. Additional and/or replacement cables are available from MK Controls,
or your chosen reseller.
The camera connector has a 2.5mm stereo male plug on one end, and the
appropriate connector for your specific 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 side 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
cameras meter (on cameras that support this feature). Turning the unit ‘off’
automatically will release the meter.
The Lightning Bug™ is designed to fit an industry standard shoe mount, and is
self-explanatory.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 8 of 18
Operation:
The Lightning Bug™ has three ‘soft-touch’ buttons that are used to operate all of
the features:
On/Off
Decrease Sensitivity
Increase Sensitivity
On/Off: Press and hold this button for approximately 2 seconds turns the
Lightning Bug™ on or off. When the unit is first turned on, it will 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 Technical Support for troubleshooting
your unit.
Decrease Sensitivity: Tap this button to decrease the sensitivity of the Lightning
Bug™. When this button is pressed, the bargraph display (orange LED’s) will be
show the current sensitivity level. There are a total of 26 levels of available
sensitivity**. The factory default setting is level 12.
Increase Sensitivity: Tap 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. There are a total of 26 levels of available
sensitivity**. The factory default setting is level 12.
** Determining the sensitivity level:
The orange LEDs will always display the current sensitivity level when the unit is
powered on, 1 being the least sensitive, and 26 being the highest. See Table 6.1
for more details.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 9 of 18
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.
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. 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).
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.
For most cameras, powering off the Lightning Bug™ will deactivate the camera
meter. This allows easy review of any captured images.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 10 of 18
Please note: We have found that some cameras, most notably Canon models
using the N3 style connector, ‘may’ keep the meter active whenever the
Lightning Bug™ is attached to the camera, even if the Lightning Bug™ is powered
off. With these cameras, you will need to unplug the Lightning Bug™ to review
images on the camera’s LCD.
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.
When the automatic meter control if 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).

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 11 of 18
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~. elease 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.
Displayed Information:
The orange LED display reflects the current sensitivity level, or when in FPS
adjust mode, the frames per second (see Table 6.1). When adjusting the
sensitivity, 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, as shown in
Table 6.1.
The yellow LED (shaped like a lightning bolt) illuminates whenever the unit has
detected an event and has tripped the shutter. When adjusting the FPS, this
LED flashes at a rate of approximately 2 times per second.
Operating Information:
To operate the Lightning Bug™, make sure that both the unit, and your camera
are powered off. Attach the unit to your hot-shoe, and 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!

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 12 of 18
Table 6.1 – LED Bargraph Display:
Normal (low power) Display:
Displayed while making adjustments:

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 13 of 18
Photography Tips:
Camera Settings Day or night:
Set your lens to manual focus. Set the lens on the infinity setting ∞ or use the
hyperfocal method to ensure enough depth of field. If you are unaware of how
to use hyperfocal focusing, the internet is a valuable resource; there is ample
information available.
For daytime use:
Set the camera to aperture priority (A mode) and set the aperture to f16 or f22.
The camera will calculate the proper shutter speed. 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 Lighting Bug™ to drive the
camera quickly in case of repeated lighting strikes. In the right conditions with a
fast camera, you can capture up to 10 lightning strikes per second. You can
increase or decrease the sensitivity as the conditions dictate.
For nighttime use:
Set the camera to Manual Mode (M mode) and set the aperture to f16 or f22.
Set the shutter speed to 1/4 second or longer. Set the Lightning Bug to match
the frames per second (FPS) that the camera is using (See your camera manual
for more information). You can increase or decrease the sensitivity of the
Lightning Bug™ to suit the conditions. Be sure to experiment with shutter
speeds.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 14 of 18
Synchronize External Flash:
The Lightning Bug™ allows integration of external flashes that are synchronized
with your shutter trip. This can be used for unique foreground ‘fill’ effects, by
lighting up elements in the near field.
Using a standard PC cable, attach your external flash device to the PC connector
on the Lightning Bug™ hot-shoe adaptor.
For examples of shots using this effect, please visit www.mkcontrols.com.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 15 of 18
Lightning Safety:
MK Controls Inc. recommends that you follow all lightning safety tips that can
be found at:
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/
http://www.lightningsafety.com/
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/thunderstorm/index.shtm
Please remember that safety is much more important than getting the shot. MK
Controls is not liable for any injuries or damage that occurs while using our
products.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 16 of 18
Warranty:
MK Controls, Inc. provides the following limited warranty on all products:
What Does This Warranty Cover?
This warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship in your new product.
How Long Does The Coverage Last?
This warranty lasts three years from the date of purchase. Please save your original sales
receipt, it will be needed for any warranty repairs.
What Will MK Controls Inc. Do?
During the warranty period, MK Controls Inc. will repair or replace any defective or
malfunctioning product at no charge to you (including shipping charges).
What Does This Warranty Not Cover?
Any problem that is caused by abuse, misuse, or an act of God (such as a flood) is not
covered. Battery leakage is not covered.
Consequential and incidental damages are not recoverable under this warranty. Some states
do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
If something goes wrong with your product, please send it along with a written description of
the problem, including the make/model of the camera to:
MK Controls Inc.
419 S. Davis St.
Nashville, GA 31639
You must include a copy of your original sales receipt.
We will inspect and repair or replace the product at no charge to you once we have
determined that the product is under warranty.
How Does State Law Apply? This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also
have other rights which vary from state to state.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 17 of 18
What if my product is not covered by this warranty?
MK controls is proud to offer a no-fault replacement policy.
If you damage your product beyond repair i.e. Back you car over it, drop it in the ocean, your
puppy chews it to pieces, etc. we will repair or replace it for $49.00 + shipping.
Send your product (or what is left of it), postage paid to:
MK Controls Inc.
419 S. Davis St.
Nashville, GA 31639
Please include a story of how the damage occurred. We reserve the right to use these stories
on our website. Your will name will not be revealed.
We must be able to indentify that the pieces were indeed our product; the internal circuit
board must be identifiable for us to replace the unit under our replacement policy. Your
damaged unit will not be returned.
Why do we offer a no-fault replacement policy?
We want you to actually use and enjoy our products, and not have to worry about accidental
damage. We are very confident that our products will provide you with years of trouble free
service, but if something bad happens, we've got you covered.

Lightning Bug™ Instruction Manual
Rev: Sept 21, 2012 Page 18 of 18
Company Information:
The Lightning Bug™ is produced are warranted by MK Controls, Inc., an Ohio
Corporation. MK Controls is based in Harrison, OH, and has manufacturing
facilities located in Nashville, GA.
Sales Inquiries: sales@mkco trols.com
Technical Support: support@mkco trols.com
Corporate Headquarters:
MK Controls, Inc.
1160 Stone Drive
Harrison, OH 45030
Manufacturing Headquarters:
MK Controls, Inc.
419 S. Davis St.
Nashville, GA 31639
Internet: http://www.mkco trols.com