How do I capture falling rain on a digital picture using a digital SLR camera?

I have been trying to capture rain using my Nikon D80 camera with various differnet lenses but not too successful at it. ANy suggestions?

First of all any modern SLR camera can do this.

Using a tripod or other surface that will hold the camera steady, set the flash to fire just before the shutter closes. Shoot (at night) in an area where there is some ambient light (street light, neon lights, etc.) and make your exposure at 1/8th of a second and then bracket down (1/4, 1/2, etc) until you get the amount of streaking rain drops need. Record these settings and then share them with us. Try different lenses (my guess a wide angle lens will provide the most interesting images).

Good luck, have fun and post your successes.

The best way to capture rain is to shoot it when it is lit from the side. You may have to use a remote flash, or other lighting source.

To capture an image of falling rain, the size of your lense isnt the only thing you have to think about when shooting a subject like falling rain, its more about your shutter speed, have to freeze the movement of the rain to achieve a clear photograph of it, the shutter controls how much light is let in, usually you would use a shutter speed of 1/60 (this means the shutter is open for 1/60th of a second) but to capture falling rain you'll probably have to set it for AT LEAST 1/250, but you'll probably want the fastest one available to your camera like 1/500 or 1/1000... hope that helps

You need a fast shutter speed to freeze the drops, a medium f-stop to get a moderate sized depth of field, and a manually set focus point reasonably close to you. (Autofocus will never see the drops by itself.)

Then experiment with combinations and light angles to find the best result.

Good Luck