HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Used with high contrast subjects, High Dynamic Range (HDR) preserves details in highlights and shadows by combining two shots taken at different exposures. Use with high-contrast scenes and other subjects to preserve a wide range of details, from highlights to shadows.

Option	Description
[HDR mode]	[On (series)]: Take a series of HDR photographs. To end HDR photography, select [HDR mode] again and choose [Off]. [On (single photo)]: Take a single HDR photograph. [Off]: End HDR photography.
[Exposure differential]	Choose the difference in exposure between the two shots. The higher the value, the greater the dynamic range. If [Auto] is selected, the camera will automatically adjust the exposure differential to suit the scene.
[Smoothing]	Choose how much the boundaries between the two images are smoothed.
[Save individual images (NEF)]	Choose [On] to save each of the individual shots used to create the HDR image; the shots are saved in NEF (RAW) format.

Taking HDR Photographs

We recommend that you use the matrix metering option when shooting with HDR.

Highlight [HDR (high dynamic range)] in the photo shooting menu and press 2.

Select an [HDR mode].

Highlight [HDR mode] and press 2.

Highlight one of the following options using 1 or 3 and press J.

Option		Description
0	[On (series)]	Take a series of HDR photographs. HDR shooting will continue until you select [Off] for [HDR mode].
[On (single photo)]		Normal shooting will resume after you have taken a single HDR photograph.
[Off]		Proceed without taking additional HDR photographs.

If [On (series)] or [On (single photo)] is selected, an icon will appear in the display.

Choose a value for [Exposure differential].
- Highlight [Exposure differential] and press 2.
- Highlight an option using 1 or 3 and press J.
- Choose higher values for high-contrast subjects.
- Note, however, that choosing a higher value than required may not produce the desired results. Match your choice to the level of contrast in the scene.
- If [Auto] is selected, the camera will automatically adjust the exposure differential to suit the scene.
Adjust [Smoothing].
- Highlight [Smoothing] and press 2.
- Highlight an option using 1 or 3 and press J; the selected option represents the amount the boundaries between the two images are smoothed.
- Higher values produce a smoother composite image.
Choose a setting for [Save individual images (NEF)].
- Highlight [Save individual images (NEF)] and press 2.
- Highlight an option using 1 or 3 and press J.
- Choose [On] to save each of the individual shots used to create the HDR image; the shots are saved in NEF (RAW) format.
Frame the photograph, focus, and shoot.
- The camera takes two exposures when the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down.
- If [On (series)] is selected for [HDR mode], you can continue to take HDR photographs until [Off] is selected.
- If [On (single photo)] is selected, HDR will turn off automatically after a single shot.
- HDR photographs are recorded in JPEG format regardless of the option selected for image quality.

HDR Photography

The edges of the image will be cropped out.
The desired results may not be achieved if the camera or subject moves during shooting. Use of a tripod is recommended.
Depending on the scene, you may notice shadows around bright objects or halos around dark objects. This can be mitigated using [Smoothing].
Uneven shading may be visible with some subjects.
With spot or center-weighted metering, an [Exposure differential] of [Auto] is equivalent to [2 EV].
Optional flash units will not fire.
In continuous release modes, only one photograph will be taken each time the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down.
Shutter speeds of “Bulb” and “Time” are not available.

HDR Restrictions

HDR cannot be combined with some camera features, including:

modes other than P, S, A, and M,
flicker reduction,
bracketing,
multiple exposures,
interval-timer photography,
time-lapse movie recording, and
focus shift