AEB settings on Canon cameras for HDR

ziggy©

ziggy©

Messages
1,940
Name
Dini
Edit My Images
Yes
On my 60D, when i set the AEB setting to +2 stops it takes three images. +2, 0 and -2. It looks like it can only take 3 images every time.

Is there any way i can set it to take a picture at each stop up-to a maximum i specify? For example if i specify 2 stops i would like it to take -2, -1, 0, +1, +2.

Actually that is how i thought it would work i didn't realise that it always only takes 3 pictures. Presumably if that is not possible the only other option is to do it manually?
 
Last edited:
Most camera allow at least 5 shot AEB - check your manual. There'll be one setting for the number of shots and one for the EC increment.
 
It doesn't tell you a way to shoot more than three, not sure even the 5Dii can do it in a burst, you'd have to do manual changes.
 
Llamaman said:
Most camera allow at least 5 shot AEB - check your manual. There'll be one setting for the number of shots and one for the EC increment.
Click to expand...

I'll take issue with that statement.
None I have owned have ever done more than three shots.

There is a solution but it isn't 100% automatic.
Use manual exposure (and make sure ISO in on manual too).
Shutter speed is on the dial next to the shutter button and three clicks is a stop (can change settings to two clicks per stop).

So to take a huge dynamic range in 2 stop increments try the following.
Start off with the shortest shutter speed retaining all the highlight details, then take a shot.
Six clicks on the dial to increase the exposure by two stops and take the next shot.
Repeat until the shadow detail is fully visible.
For best results, use a cable release.

Nice thing about this approach is you don't need to guess how many stops to bracket.
You just keep taking shots until you have all the shadow detail.
 
You are restricted to 3 exposures on the 60D I'm afraid.

You can get advanced exposure bracketing using Magic Lantern. I don't know what the specifics are for the 60D but I think it might be as high as 9.

It is only on the newer higher end Canon that allow this by default I think.
 
Last edited:
+1 for magic lantern i use it on my 50D does up to 9 brackets i think or it can do it in a auto mode were the software decide in the latest version.
 
Based on duncans advice, you might be able to combine that idea with setting the AEB to +1,0,-1 and set shutter release to multiple. That way when you press the shutter Im pretty sure the camera will take the 3 bracketed shots.
So, before your first shot you could hold the EV button on the back, wind down compensation to -2, then fire the shutter. that would give you, -3, -2 and -1 images. Then hold down EV button again and wind up to +1 compensation. Fire shutter again camera should then take 0, +1 and +2 images.
Having said all that I havent actually tried it but I think it might work.
 
If you are going to take multiple AEB sets then put the camera in Av mode as you will want both sets to have the same aperture in order to maintain the same dof.
 
In the past, when I was limited to 3 exposures I just set it up for 2, 3 or 4 groups of 3 exposures.

Set it for 3 exposures at either the top or bottom end of the range you want to capture, then nimbly move the main dial to select the next group of 3 exposures and so on.
 
graphilly said:
The 5DMKIII now lets you select either 2, 3, 5 or 7 bracketed shots.
Click to expand...

I had to Google to find out how - seems I'm not alone!
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=40943776
It's buried in the murky depths of the Custom Functions, Canon's equivalent of the cupboard under the stairs which contains stuff I normally go through once when I get a camera and never revisit.

And that only sets the number of shots...
You still have to set the mid-point and how much to bracket by, which annoyingly are in completely different locations.
You can set exposure compensation directly, but on the 5DIII bracketing can only be set in the menu. One of my early EOS bodies could set AEB directly by pressing a button and turning the command wheel which was far easier than going through the menus.

It's not all bad news...
The 5DIII allows the Number Of Bracketed Shots to be pinned to My Menu, and the Quick Settings offer a way into setting AEB.
But it does seem really odd that the number of shots isn't selectable from the AEB setup screen! :thinking:

Rant over...
I've learned something new and I've pinned Number Of Bracketed Shots to My Menu.
Cheers :thumbs:

Edited to add....
I'm planning a dawn raid for my Talk Photography Day shot this weekend, so bracketing will be needed. I'll be trying this feature out for real!
 
Last edited:
DuncanDisorderly said:
I had to Google to find out how - seems I'm not alone!
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=40943776
It's buried in the murky depths of the Custom Functions, Canon's equivalent of the cupboard under the stairs which contains stuff I normally go through once when I get a camera and never revisit.

And that only sets the number of shots...
You still have to set the mid-point and how much to bracket by, which annoyingly are in completely different locations.
You can set exposure compensation directly, but on the 5DIII bracketing can only be set in the menu. One of my early EOS bodies could set AEB directly by pressing a button and turning the command wheel which was far easier than going through the menus.

It's not all bad news...
The 5DIII allows the Number Of Bracketed Shots to be pinned to My Menu, and the Quick Settings offer a way into setting AEB.
But it does seem really odd that the number of shots isn't selectable from the AEB setup screen! :thinking:

Rant over...
I've learned something new and I've pinned Number Of Bracketed Shots to My Menu.
Cheers :thumbs:

Edited to add....
I'm planning a dawn raid for my Talk Photography Day shot this weekend, so bracketing will be needed. I'll be trying this feature out for real!
Click to expand...

It's all in the manual :)

I've stuck those items onto 'My Menu' too.
 
Nikon can do 9.

Just saying :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top