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Summary of Contents for MK Controls Lightning Bug Plus
- Page 2 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 Plus™.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Introduction ......................4 Lightning Bug Plus 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 .................... -
Page 4: Introduction
This infrared light comes from the vaporization of air and particles in the air. The Lightning Bug Plus™ 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. - Page 5 The hot shoe mount included on the Lightning Bug Plus may have an external flash PC port, or a ¼-20 mount, depending on when it was purchased. The hot shoe mount incorporates a standard threaded mounting port. Some hot shoes may have a PC port and switch, these are non-functional.
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Page 6: Tm Features
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 Bug Plus from your camera. Power On Self-Test (POST) insures that the unit is operational every time you turn it Electrical isolation between the unit and your camera via MOSFET technology to protect the camera’s electronics. -
Page 7: Specifications
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. * The Lightning Bug Plus™ will operate with all 9V battery technologies, including rechargeable. Rev: Version 1.2 June 16th, 2022... -
Page 8: Battery Installation/Removal
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 Bug Plus 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 Plus™, in addition to the battery... -
Page 9: Camera Connection
For some older SONY cameras, a hotshoe adapter may be required. WARNING – Do NOT leave the cable inserted in the Lightning Bug Plus™ during storage – this may damage to the connector. The Lightning Bug Plus™ Warranty does not cover this type of damage. -
Page 10: Operation
Increase Sensitivity (or Delay in Fireworks Mode) Standard Mode vs. Fireworks Mode While powering on the Lightning Bug Plus™, 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. - Page 11 When the Lightning Bug Plus Lightning Bug Plus™ is first turned on, it will display the current it will display the current firmware version by illuminating the LED’s. This version information will remain firmware version by illuminating the LED’s. This version information will remain firmware version by illuminating the LED’s.
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Page 12: Standard Operating Mode
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 Plus™. When this button is pressed, the bargraph display (orange LED’s) will be show the current sensitivity level. - Page 13 Table 1: LED Bar graph Display: Shown below, Level 1 is the LEAST sensitive, Level 26 is the MOST sensitive setting. It is possible to confused level 8 with level 19. If unsure, increase or decrease the level to verify setting. When adjusting the settings, your camera may trip – this is due to the system making internal changes on the fly.
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Page 14: Fireworks Mode
Press this button to increase the time delay. Determining the Current Delay Level The orange LEDs on the top of the Lightning Bug Plus will always display the current delay level whenever the unit is powered on. See Table 2 for more details. - Page 15 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. Rev: Version 1.2 June 16th, 2022 Page 15 of 26...
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Page 16: Additional Features
Additional Features Additional Features Adjust Post-Trigger Delay The Lightning Bug Plus™ allows you to incorporate a slight delay allows you to incorporate a slight delay (from 0 to 90 (from 0 to 90 milliseconds*) between when the unit senses lightning, and actual tripping of the... - Page 17 Lightning Bug Plus™ 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 Plus™, but it may result in missed shots.
- Page 18 ~ The Lightning Bug Plus™ 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. The Lightning Bug Plus™...
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Page 19: Photography Tips
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 Plus™ based on shooting conditions. The default sensitivity is 12, out of 26 levels. - Page 20 Use the chart below for recommended settings. 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 For night-time use...
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Page 21: Troubleshooting
4. My camera takes a picture when I press the LEFT and RIGHT buttons, but I'm still not getting any shots of lightning! - Watch the yellow lightning bolt on the Lightning Bug Plus - if it lights up, the unit is 'seeing' the lightning flashes. If your camera still isn't taking pictures when the yellow LED lights up the lightning bolt, your camera may not be configured correctly. - Page 22 - Increase the sensitivity of the Lightning Bug Plus™ by pressing the RIGHT arrow. - Make sure that the Lightning Bug Plus™ is not behind a pane of glass - most modern glass windows in cars and homes block infrared light, which the Lightning Bug Plus™...
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Page 23: Lightning Safety
Lightning Safety 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. -
Page 24: Warranty
WARRANTY REPLACEMENT POLICY LIMITED WARRANTY INFORMATION MK Controls, Inc. (the “Company”) warrants its products against defects in material and workmanship for the lifetime of the product. This limited warranty applies only if you are the original purchaser and the limited warranty is non-transferable. As a condition of warranty service, warranty service requests must be accompanied by a valid proof of purchase, and a full written description of the problem. - Page 25 IMPOSED BY LAW IS LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE APPLICABLE LIMITED WARRANTY PERIOD. SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY ALLOW A LIMITATION ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS OR ON THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE TO CONSUMER PRODUCTS, OR OF A CONSUMER’S STATUTORY RIGHTS.
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Page 26: Company Information
Company Information The Lightning Bug Plus™ is produced and warranted by MK Controls, Inc., an Ohio Corporation. MK Controls, Inc. is based in Harrison, OH, and has manufacturing facilities located in Nashville, GA. Sales Inquiries: sales@mkcontrols.com Technical Support: support@mkcontrols.com Corporate Headquarters: MK Controls, Inc.
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