Stevieboy Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

Most HDR shooters set the camera in aperature priority. Set up exposure bracketing over whatever range you like, usually -2, then 0 then +2, self time on 2 seconds or cable release and continuous shooting mode and then the camera fires a series of 3 shots. If you are shooting in a low light situation doesn't this continuous action create camera shake? Doesn't the mirror flopping up and down add shake? Also you can't use mirror lock up with this technique.

On the other hand, you could set the camera to manual, use mirror lock up and change the exposure by manually changing the time value for each shot and using single shot not continuous. You could still use the 2 second delay. Of course movement of the camera could be introduced when you change the time value.

What do you think? And, what has been your experience?


Steve

ShooterOR

My experience has been that I want to finish my exposure sequence with minimum time between the first and last shots-- and manually touching the camera to adjust is more likely IMO to adjust the framing ever so slightly requiring more alignment during PP. I do use a cable release-- but there is some mirror vibration. Maybe I just drink too much coffee.

:wink:

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Many times the HDR process first aligns the photos and then processes them. Therefore minor shake is no biggie.

Sarge69

lorenww Loc: St. Petersburg

In low light, you probably will not see any mirror shake.
The reason I say this is that with a long exposure you can quickly move into and out of the frame and make a person look like a ghost.

I have seen it here on UHH and even looking closely at the photo I can't tell which direction they moved into the frame from, your shutter vibration will be much less.

If I'm hand holding then It's set to continuous with bracketing +-2, this minimizes movement.

If on a tripod, mode is set to bulb (remote) and VR turned off and then press the remote button quickly.

I'm new to hdr and I hear about 9 shot stacks, I'm thinking the way to do that is to set on manual, get the exposure you want.
Then set the shutter speed down 4 clicks on the wheel.
Take the shot and then click the speed up 1 notch, take another shot, repeat till you have gone up 5, the 5th shot will be your normal exposure, repeat 4 more times to get a nine shot stack.

Photomatix does a very good job of aligning images, If your camera is on a tripod you are good to go.
My 2 cents.
OT I just found some great new places for hdr but we have Issac blowing through and didn't want to take a chance on getting the camera wet.
It's funny how you start seeing things in hdr after you get the bug.

Stevieboy Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

thanks for your imput

Chinaman Loc: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

In the first scenario, you don't need to shoot in continuous mode but in single shot mode. You can release your shutter as and when you please. The 3 different exposures will be taken in sequence. In low light, give the camera a few seconds to settle down after the last shot before you shutter release again. I use an electronic, wireless controller to release the shutter of my Canon 350D(Rebel XT). I have to be on 'timer mode' to use it so continuous mode option is not available to me. I also always use a tripod - night or day. Even Photomatix Pro is not perfect in its alignment. It may seem so, but closer examination will show loss of sharpness.
The second method is easier to manage if you are taking a lot of exposures. You will know exactly what exposures you have taken rather than figure out what the camera has automatically done.

Stevieboy Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

thanks for your replies..How about some more of your photos Chinaman?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

You can put the camera in LV mode, on a tripod, set exposure, setup bracketing, put in continuous shooting mode, and use your remote shutter to hold until all three/five images are taken. Or my 7D has a feature called Quiet mode that locks the mirror up on the first shot in continuous shooting mode and keeps it up until finished shooting your burst. In this case your camera will take 3 to 5 shots and then stop and the mirror will return down.

ShooterOR

I have a Nikon, but I'll try that setup.

Thanks,

2 Dog Don Loc: Virginia Beach VA

Try a Sony Alpha series with the transluscent mirror realy reduces shake and enables hand held HDR.

Stevieboy Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

JEEP DADDY...I have a 7D also...How can you set it to take 5 exposures in the burst mode?

Thanks,

Steve