Originally posted by IchabodCrane There might be a much simpler way to do this through exposure bracketing that achieves 95% of what you're trying to do.
Use spot metering
The rest that follows is very simple to set up in the bracketing function
Set up a 5-shot bracket
Set the brackets to 1 EV increments
Use the exposure compensation button to move the brackets to the right so the least exposed bracket is right on the "0" mark (so all other shots are of increased exposure: 0, +1, +2, +3, +4)
Set exposure to the brightest area (recompose if necessary for focusing)
Press shutter button and let the camera take the five shots
side note: you can even set the brackets to 1.3 EV intervals as long as the lowest exposure is moved to -0.3, this still provides for five shots with the brightest at +5 EV instead of +4 EV.
I'll give that a try. The Nikons exposure bracketing was limited to 3 exposures at 1+/-