Meet Bolt Hunter
The lightning camera trigger designed by storm chasers, for storm chasers. This isn’t just another trigger. It's intelligent, grounded in science, and for the first time ever: predictive.
This project started with a single goal: To build a trigger that doesn't miss.
But we didn't stop there. We added weather sealing, smarter detection, predictive timing, simultaneous triggering and timelapse, a brand new night-mode, wireless control, connection monitoring, and so much more.
Bolt Hunter is the ultimate companion for weather photographers.
Not just a better trigger
Optimized sensor
for lightning
Featuring adjustable sensitivity and automatic ambient light compensation.
Simultaneous Lightning + Timelapse
Triggers on bolts in between timelapse exposures, and auto-adjusts intervals.
Triggers even in direct sunlight
Because sunset bolts are EPIC.
Optional Mobile App for Advanced Control
Change settings, see stats, and receive notifications from the safety of a vehicle or building.
Compatibility
Bolt Hunter works with almost every camera on the market. Check your model here.
Built for Every Storm Photographer
From beginners to seasoned chasers, Bolt Hunter makes lightning photography simple.
Behind the Tech
A look at the engineering that makes Bolt Hunter unique.
During R&D, we collected and analyzed thousands of lightning events, and the data revealed three key things that make or break a photo:
Early detection of the faint intracloud flashes that happen before a strike
Each camera’s unique shutter lag
The right shutter speed to match the storm
We learned that most triggers miss because they only react. Lightning happens faster than any camera can respond.
Shutter lag doesn’t stand a chance
Bolt Hunter actually measures your camera’s unique shutter lag and combines it with a predictive algorithm to anticipate the next return stroke.
It fires at the optimal moment, even during faster shutter speeds, significantly improving success rates.
Lightning photography is just a math problem.
Bolt Hunter solves it for you.
Chasers across the country have already captured some incredible lightning shots using pre-production units. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and consistent:
Bolt Hunter is the “most reliable” trigger they’ve ever used.
Field-Tested.
Chaser-Approved.
“It’s better than anything I’ve used before. I wouldn’t want to shoot with anything else.”
- JOHN SIRLIN
Storm photography tour guide and veteran storm chaser with over 30 years of experience.
“My capture rate is absolutely insane with Bolt Hunter... like what is even happening.”
- CONNOR HEALEY
Veteran storm chaser, and 1st place winner in Siena International Photo Awards’ “The beauty of nature”
“Bolt Hunter instantly became my go-to for its rock solid performance and durability.”
- LORI GRACE BAILEY
Professional photographer, lightning strike survivor, and monsoon photography workshop host.
“This changes everything. Bolt Hunter outperforms every other trigger I’ve used.”
- ROB GALLUCCI
Internationally recognized & award-winning photographer and monsoon photography tour guide.
“This is a game changer… Bolt Hunter is the best trigger I’ve ever used by far, and it’s not even close.”
- JIM TANG
Professional storm chaser and landscape photographer
Shot with Bolt Hunter
Photos captured using Bolt Hunter test units the 2023–2025 storm season.
Our Gaurantee
Try it for 60 days. If Bolt Hunter isn’t the best trigger you’ve ever used, we’ll refund you.
Bolt Hunter
Lightning Camera Trigger
Bolt Hunter launches on Kickstarter soon! Early backers get the deepest discounts and limited early-bird pricing.
Choose your camera model and enter your email to get exclusive updates and a launch-day alert.
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After signup, we’ll take you to the Kickstarter pre-launch page.
About Us
We are a team of innovators, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of photography and storm chasing technology.
If you’d like to get in touch, shoot us at email at info@bolthunter.io, or a call or text at (916) 469-5035.
FAQ
Answers to the common questions we’ve been asked.
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If you have a 2.5mm TRS Y-splitter, it should work. However, we don't sell them since Bolt Hunter is designed to work with a single camera by measuring its specific shutter lag and predictively timing the exposure. Shutter lag can vary by camera - even of the same model, so your mileage may vary. That being said, if you're set on using one trigger for multiple cameras, you can disable the predictive timing feature.
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Every trigger is going to miss some shots - even Bolt Hunter. If there's no intra-cloud flash preceding the stepped leaders, and the bolt has a single return stroke, there isn't a trigger in the world that can catch it - despite what they claim. There are some other scenarios where you might miss the shot as well, but they're more a matter of luck versus trigger tech. For example, if another exposure has just ended, all cameras have a lockout period before they can re-trigger. Even though Bolt Hunter has buffered triggering to overcome this, every now and then a pesky bolt will fall through the cracks.
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Using USB or Bluetooth to connect to your camera is possible, but will always be slower to trigger than the traditional shutter cable. It would be unlikely to work for lightning. That being said, we are exploring dual connection methods where your camera's settings could be controlled via Bluetooth or USB and triggered using the conventional shutter cable. Stay tuned for updates on this!
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We have tons of pretty cool ideas, and some will be easier to implement than others. In addition to USB-C or Bluetooth camera control, one of these is Dynamic Exposure Control. This would allow bulb-ramping when shooting timelapse with Bolt Hunter, so you get smooth daytime-to-sunset transitions all while triggering on lightning as a storm rolls through.
There is one other pretty exciting idea we would mention. Have you ever been shocked by your tripod when shooting lightning? It's more common (and dangerous) than you might think and has happened to us quite a few times over the years. We've done some testing with a tesla coil to simulate the electric field that causes this, and we actually think Bolt Hunter can detect when a close-range lightning strike is imminent, and even notify you to take cover immediately. Theoretical at this point...but we are going to test it out this year and see if it works! Any safety features we could add would be a priority.