Nikon D5200 & HDR ?? How well does the in-camera HDR perform on the D5200 with no PP? If anybody has some examples please post. I am thinking about buying this camera and any input...

OnTheFly Loc: Tennessee

How well does the in-camera HDR perform on the D5200 with no PP?
If anybody has some examples please post. I am thinking about buying this camera and any input would be appreciated.

Agedwell Loc: Austin

Eugene wrote:

How well does the in-camera HDR perform on the D5200 with no PP?
If anybody has some examples please post. I am thinking about buying this camera and any input would be appreciated.

My D5100 has that "Active Dynamic Lighting" feature and one can change the settings to Auto, 3 degrees of High and Off. I suppose one could refer to it as High Dynamic Range (HDR).

Having only made a few test exposures to play with the feature, I can only say that it works. Each frame was discernibly different. Since then I have left it in Auto. I come from the old film school where great effort was put into getting enough "latitude" and am continually amazed by what these digital marvels can do.

OnTheFly Loc: Tennessee

Thanks for replying.
I have the old D3000 and it also has the D Lighting. Not sure how much difference there is.

Agedwell wrote:

My D5100 has that "Active Dynamic Lighting&qu... (show quote)

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Agedwell wrote:

My D5100 has that "Active Dynamic Lighting" feature and one can change the settings to Auto, 3 degrees of High and Off. I suppose one could refer to it as High Dynamic Range (HDR).

Not quite.
HDR is a melding of at least two (preferably three or five) exact same images, except for aperture differences to capture a 'normal' exposure, an over-exposure (for shadow detail), and an under-exposure (for highlight/sky detail).

Active-D Lighting exposures can be used in HDR processing. Nikon has a menu setting that allows two or three different exposures (in burst mode) to capture originals for HDR processing. Read about it in your camera manual.

FAQ: Introduction to HDR & Pseudo-HDR
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-26491-1.html

OnTheFly Loc: Tennessee

Can't read about it my camera manual when my current camera doesn't do HDR. Also, I wasn't asking what the definition of HDR is. I know the answer to that. I also know how to do it in PP. What I did ask was "How does the D5200 perform with in-camera HDR".

Nikonian72 wrote:

Not quite. br HDR is a melding of at least two (pr... (show quote)

OnTheFly Loc: Tennessee

What I meant by "don't know what the difference is" is the quality of the final product.

OnTheFly Loc: Tennessee

Does the quality compare to taking 3 to 5 shots and merging them or is it a waist of money getting a camera that will do it in-camera?

OnTheFly Loc: Tennessee

Also, what is the difference between HDR and Backlight HDR?

Michael66 Loc: Queens, New York

Eugene wrote:

Does the quality compare to taking 3 to 5 shots and merging them or is it a waist of money getting a camera that will do it in-camera?

I don't know of any camera that will actually do HDR in camera. That doesn't mean there aren't any, I just don't know of it.

However, Google's Nik2 software is quite inexpensive and will allow you to meld the multi-exposure shots ( bracketing ) into a single HDR shot. Just be sure to use a tripod. The quality of that shot depends on the quality of your gear.

Here's my first attempt at HDR.

middle exposure of five

(Download)

Final HDR image - composed from five bracketed shots

(Download)

OnTheFly Loc: Tennessee

Thanks Michael. That is the info I'm looking for.
Very nice shots. Thanks for sharing.

Michael66 wrote:

I don't know of any camera that will actually do HDR in camera. That doesn't mean there aren't any, I just don't know of it.

However, Google's Nik2 software is quite inexpensive and will allow you to meld the multi-exposure shots ( bracketing ) into a single HDR shot. Just be sure to use a tripod. The quality of that shot depends on the quality of your gear.

Here's my first attempt at HDR.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Eugene wrote:

Can't read about it my camera manual when my current camera doesn't do HDR. Also, I wasn't asking what the definition of HDR is. I know the answer to that. I also know how to do it in PP. What I did ask was "How does the D5200 perform with in-camera HDR".

First, my reply was to member AgedWell, not you.
Second, you are right: I cannot read your mind, but I should have realized that you were asking about a camera that you do not own.
I am sorry that you believe I am unable to assist you. Good luck.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Eugene wrote:

How well does the in-camera HDR perform on the D5200 with no PP?
If anybody has some examples please post. I am thinking about buying this camera and any input would be appreciated.

Don't know about the D5200, but my Canon SX50 has the capability along with 'bracketing'. Unless the D5200 has a way of adjusting the HDR settings, it will be locked into a pre-set over and under exposure so MAY not be sufficient for EVERY scene. I have not worked with mine enough to give definitive answers, but have discovered that with a scene ranging from black to white (severe shadow to extreme light) the built in HDR does not work as well as the bracketing where I can set how much over and under I want to include. HOWEVER, the HDR does a respectable job for AVERAGE scenes.

OnTheFly Loc: Tennessee

Thanks for the info. I don't know if the 5200 will adjust or not. I will find out before I purchase.

Wahawk wrote:

Don't know about the D5200, but my Canon SX50 has ... (show quote)

OnTheFly Loc: Tennessee

I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. It's not that I don't believe you can help me. It's just that your answer had nothing to do with the original question. I should have noticed that it wasn't directed at me.
Once again, I do apologize.

Nikonian72 wrote:

First, my reply was to member AgedWell, not you.
Second, you are right: I cannot read your mind, but I should have realized that you were asking about a camera that you do not own.
I am sorry that you believe I am unable to assist you. Good luck.

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

My D800 has both the active d lighting and HDR function. The adl really only tweaks the lights and darks in one image, but can be used hand held and for moving objects. In HDR mode, the camera takes two shots exposed differently (up to 3 stops) and merges them in to one image. This requires a still camera on tripod and does not work for moving objects. So the HDR has more range capability but limitations when it can be used. Both work well on my D800.