Originally Posted by alex
Sorry, yep, it's an option that's not in the 450D. I shoot with a 1D Mark III, and there's a custom function to do 2, 3, 5, or 7 bracketed shots. I'm renting a 5D in a couple of weeks and I don't think it even has the option to customize this.
We're a Canon/Profoto family: five cameras, sixteen lenses, fifteen Profoto lights, too many modifiers.
thanks for the replies, guys! since I don't have the custom function that peety mentioned, I'll have to go with George's solution, which seems like a good one. I didn't think about that.
I need to get a sturdier tripod though. I would imagine that changing the EV using the main dial will definitely move the camera with the weak tripod I've got.
Of course, this begs the question....
peety, do you see a noticeable benefit of shooting 7 bracketed shots vs. shooting 3?
R6 II --- RF 14-35mm f/4L IS --- RF 24-105mm f/4L IS --- RF 70-200mm F4L IS --- RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS --- RF 24mm f/1.4L --- RF 600mm f/11
70D --- EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 --- EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS --- EF 70-200mm f/4L IS --- EF 85mm f/1.8
The books on this subject (how many shots to take) generally say that you will, on most occasions, do fine with 3 shots (+2/-2,0 eV). You need to look at the histogram, to make sure there is adequate exposure in the deep shadows.
For subjects that move around a lot, it can be a challenge to bracket 5 or 7, because now you're fiddling around with the exposure compensation dial, and that takes up more time. Since you're trying to minimize movement in the scene, that extra time means that the subject has moved, which then translates into "ghosting" on the subject. Despite the various fixes in these programs for removing ghosting, it is tough to correct.
To see if there is a benefit, find a truly stationary scene, and take the 3 shots with 2 eV width, then try another with 5 and another with 7.
Like I said, it's the histogram that tells you whether you've exposed the scene properly, and if 3 bracketed shots does it for you, I doubt you will see a difference with 5 or 7 at 1 eV.
I'll be honest: I'm very new at HDR, so I don't have strong opinions whatsoever. That said, I don't know if I can answer your question that well, as I've only shot 5s and 7s, never 3s, and all of my bracketed sets have been at 1-stop steps, whereas my sense is that most folks shoot 2-stop steps in 3-shot sets.
I'll be processing some images today. I'll try re-running a few by picking just the -2/0/+2 shots and posting the results. Could be a good example, as it's a fire truck with an awfully bright red/neon green diagonal striping on the front bumper (like, doesn't this thing have a dimmer switch???).
We're a Canon/Profoto family: five cameras, sixteen lenses, fifteen Profoto lights, too many modifiers.
Thanks for all of your responses. I've since picked up (downloaded) a copy of Photomatix. My wife was able to get an educational discount so it was only $40. I think I'll get my feet wet with this program and if I find it limiting I can always upgrade to once of the software packages mentioned in this thread.
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