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. The shots are saved at an image size of [Large], regardless of the option selected for [Image size] > [NEF (RAW)] in the photo shooting menu.

Taking HDR Photographs

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

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

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Frame the photograph, focus, and shoot.

    • The camera takes two exposures when the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down.

    • Busy” will flash in the control panel while the images are combined. No photographs can be taken until recording is complete.

    • 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:

  • b mode,

  • flicker reduction,

  • bracketing,

  • multiple exposures,

  • interval-timer photography,

  • time-lapse movie recording, and

  • focus shift