Canon 40d Bracketing help - DPChallenge Forums

12/25/2008 09:47:56 PM · #1

Hi guys and gals,

I am trying to get the exposure bracketing working on my 40d without much luck, I have it set like it says to do in the manual, but only get out one photo even though I have the brackets. Anyone have any ideas for me to try?

Thanks,
Rich

Delta_6

12/25/2008 09:58:48 PM · #2

Either keep shooting or do it on continuous and hold the shutter button down till you get three shots.

Message edited by author 2008-12-25 21:59:08.

12/25/2008 10:02:56 PM · #3

Worked like that, for some reason I thought it would take all 3 shots automatically. Thanks for the hand.

Merry Christmas!

12/25/2008 10:04:22 PM · #4

It WILL do the three shots automatically (and then stop) if you set the drive mode to continuous.

12/25/2008 10:06:19 PM · #5

Continuous is when there are multiple frames showing in the image box on the lcd on the top? (bottom right?)

And if that is right, do I need it to be in H mode?

Thanks
Rich

Message edited by author 2008-12-25 22:06:47.

12/25/2008 10:12:22 PM · #6

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:

Continuous is when there are multiple frames showing in the image box on the lcd on the top? (bottom right?)

And if that is right, do I need it to be in H mode?

Yes, I use "Continuous H" mode to minimize movement within the frame (subject movement, that is). I definitely recommend H mode (up to 6.5 frames per second) when exposure bracketing with the 40D for HDR work.

Enjoy!

Message edited by author 2008-12-25 22:16:15.

12/25/2008 10:14:51 PM · #7

Originally posted by AperturePriority:

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:
Continuous is when there are multiple frames showing in the image box on the lcd on the top? (bottom right?)

And if that is right, do I need it to be in H mode?

Yes, I use "Continuous H" mode to minimize movement within the frame (subject movement, that is). H mode is definitely essential when exposure bracketing with 40D for HDR work.

Enjoy!

Do I have to have the focus off of one shot? like on AI Focus, or AI Servo to use it? I put it to continuous and High, but it still only takes a single image.

Message edited by author 2008-12-25 22:16:35.

12/25/2008 10:20:25 PM · #8

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:

Originally posted by AperturePriority:

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:
Continuous is when there are multiple frames showing in the image box on the lcd on the top? (bottom right?)

And if that is right, do I need it to be in H mode?

Yes, I use "Continuous H" mode to minimize movement within the frame (subject movement, that is). H mode is definitely essential when exposure bracketing with 40D for HDR work.

Enjoy!

Do I have to have the focus off of one shot? like on AI Focus, or AI Servo to use it? I put it to continuous and High, but it still only takes a single image.

Any focus mode should work, although I recommend "Single" mode. If only one shot is firing, are you sure you are holding down the shutter button until all three shots are fired?

12/25/2008 10:22:36 PM · #9

Originally posted by AperturePriority:

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:

Originally posted by AperturePriority:

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:
Continuous is when there are multiple frames showing in the image box on the lcd on the top? (bottom right?)

And if that is right, do I need it to be in H mode?

Yes, I use "Continuous H" mode to minimize movement within the frame (subject movement, that is). H mode is definitely essential when exposure bracketing with 40D for HDR work.

Enjoy!

Do I have to have the focus off of one shot? like on AI Focus, or AI Servo to use it? I put it to continuous and High, but it still only takes a single image.

Any focus mode should work, although I recommend "Single" mode. If only one shot is firing, are you sure you are holding down the shutter button until all three shots are fired?

No that could be the issue, but

Beetle said that it would do all 3 automatically in continuous mode so i figured that i just push and release as normal. Am I mistaken in this thought?

Thanks
Rich

12/25/2008 10:27:04 PM · #10

Yes, you have to hold the shutter button down until all three shots are done.

Back to the "Single" focus mode, this is recommended for HDR work so that the focus doesn't change between exposures.

12/25/2008 10:32:24 PM · #11

Originally posted by AperturePriority:

Yes, you have to hold the shutter button down until all three shots are done.

Back to the "Single" focus mode, this is recommended for HDR work so that the focus doesn't change between exposures.

I understand what your saying, cause the other focuses will try to adjust themselves for things that may have moved between shots correct? Thanks for the tip. I am sure it will come in handy for some hdr work. I am just trying to get an idea of how to better use some of the camera functions. I hope to use it on the scene tommorrow with the snow to quickly locate a good exposure.

Thanks for the help,
Rich

12/25/2008 10:32:36 PM · #12

I think the single mode is great when you're using a tripod. If not, then on high continuous you have a much better chance to NOT change the composition from one to the next.

ETA: if you were so worried about focus, it would make more sense to go manual focus, rather than to risk moving the camera between shots.

Message edited by author 2008-12-25 22:33:49.

12/25/2008 10:36:36 PM · #13

Originally posted by Beetle:

That would be a good idea with the switch into manual mode, then you could pretty much guarentee that there woudl be very little( if any) change within your focusing in the HDR.

Good point well brought up Beetle.

12/25/2008 10:37:52 PM · #14

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:

Good point well brought up Beetle.

<---- beams happily (helped by the glow of a bit of Gluehwein :-)

12/25/2008 10:42:14 PM · #15

Originally posted by Beetle:

<---- beams happily (helped by the glow of a bit of Gluehwein :-)

I've imbibed GlÃ¶gg this holiday season!

Ken

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/25/2008 10:46:14 PM · #16

These days I almost always use the timer for bracketing, it snaps the 3 shots and stops automatically without me pressing on the button and potentially moving the camera, even if a tiny bit.

12/25/2008 10:46:35 PM · #17

Originally posted by AperturePriority:

Originally posted by Beetle:
<---- beams happily (helped by the glow of a bit of Gluehwein :-)

I've imbibed GlÃ¶gg this holiday season!

Thank you both for the help, I think I got it pretty well now. Can we get a rough translation of that btw?

Thanks Again,
Rich

12/25/2008 10:47:35 PM · #18

Originally posted by Ken:

These days I almost always use the timer for bracketing, it snaps the 3 shots and stops automatically without me pressing on the button and potentially moving the camera, even if a tiny bit.

Your timer allows you to tell it to take multiple photos in part of the setup Ken?

12/25/2008 10:49:06 PM · #19

Gluehwein is mulled wine - red wine, with spices and sugar, and heated.

Brilliant on a cold night, but kicks like a mule!

Ken

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/25/2008 10:51:16 PM · #20

Originally posted by Hot_Pixel:

Yep, setup bracketing like you normally would, turn on timer, and let 'er rip. If you're doing bracketing to reduce noise also, you can bracket color (just one tiny notch each way) in addition to exposure and get 9 total shots with the 3 different exposures with just the very small shift in color. I've only tried this a couple times and haven't had any problems with color shift when I combined the images.

12/25/2008 10:52:29 PM · #21

Originally posted by Ken:

These days I almost always use the timer for bracketing, it snaps the 3 shots and stops automatically without me pressing on the button and potentially moving the camera, even if a tiny bit.

I didn't realize you can fire-off three shots with the timer (at least on Canon DSLRs).

I normally use my wireless shutter release whenever I use my tripod, regardless if I'm bracketing or HDR-shooting. It just makes sense...I use the tripod to eliminate movement--why introduce movement with your finger pressing on the button? ;-)

Message edited by author 2008-12-25 22:52:49.

12/25/2008 10:52:45 PM · #22

Originally posted by Beetle:

Gluehwein is mulled wine - red wine, with spices and sugar, and heated.

Brilliant on a cold night, but kicks like a mule!

Thanks for the translation, Cheers then!

12/25/2008 10:54:17 PM · #23

More details on Gluehwein/GlÃ¶gg here.

12/25/2008 10:54:55 PM · #24

Originally posted by AperturePriority:

Originally posted by Ken:
These days I almost always use the timer for bracketing, it snaps the 3 shots and stops automatically without me pressing on the button and potentially moving the camera, even if a tiny bit.

I didn't realize you can fire-off three shots with the timer (at least on Canon DSLRs).

I normally use my wireless shutter release whenever I use my tripod, regardless if I'm bracketing or HDR-shooting. It just makes sense...I use the tripod to eliminate movement--why introduce movement with your finger pressing on the button? ;-)

This is awesome information from all of you, Thank you all for sharing with me first the funtion of getting the bracketting to work correctly, and then also some of the tips to bring it to the next level.

Greatly appreciated.
Rich

Delta_6