I pretty much kept it on auto and the shutter went off for about 8-10 seconds to expose it. The sky at the time of this photo was black and I could not even see it. My jaw dropped when I saw the result. A question though. I've looked all over this thing. Is there a B setting so I could leave that shutter open to take lightning at night shots?

Michelle should have the answer to that one... i take it you got it 2nd hand with no manual? either way, if you check the aperture settings, it should be somewhere in there if it exists, and if ya can't find it, a quick stop over at minolta.com and a manual pdf search should help ya out.

abnd secondly, what a smart camera to know to stay open for 10 seconds on auto mode... way cool

Hey Chris! Hugzzzz....great to see you here! This image is absolutely gorgeous!! Auto-mode did this? Wow....I'm impressed! My Dimage has a bulb mode, but only for up to 30 seconds.... take the dang thing out of Program! Put it into M mode and then twirl your shutter speed dial until you see the B pop up! That's all there is to it dear.... not sure if the 7hi will stay open longer than 30 seconds....I was sort of bummed out by that.....however keep in mind the noise factor when doing long shutter speeds with a digi....

Aha, of coarse. Yes, I do believe I read in there about a 30 second limit on mine too. If I kept the iso at the equivalent of 100 or 200 that should cut down on the noise. As long as there is enough light coming in. I've always wanted to get some lightning shots on a dark evening, so far this is the only time I think I would need to use the B. I would be indoors with an adapter so the camera doesn't get wet and I will have a constant power source unless the power goes out. :0 Thanks Michelle, the manual doesn't explain things very well, I read it cover to cover. Hugs. . .it's great to be here.