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**BruceBanner** · 04-05-2020, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by thepedant

It does help with a massive dynamic range like the shot below. The first image is a single shot. The second image is a 3 EV bracket with the shots separated with DCU5 and then merged using enfuse.

Ah but the images are not the same at all with the HDR merge showing the classic weak contrast. Could you for instance tweak the single shot more (lower contrast and highlights) to getting something quite similar to what the HDR shot produced? That's my point in all of this, time and time again the single shot could keep up with the HDR Merge, even when 3EV bracketed.

---------- Post added 04-06-20 at 09:56 AM ----------

Originally posted by acoufap

Hi Bruce, did you follow my hint in post #13?

If the brightness distribution of your image fits into the histograms range or is only cut minimal you won't win much if anything using HDR mode. This will be the case in most scenarios because K-1 covers a huge dynamic range.

Post #13 here is tduell's post

but anyway yeah, I think this is about the K-1 doing superb anyway.

**acoufap** · 04-05-2020, 11:18 PM

Originally posted by BruceBanner

Ah but the images are not the same at all with the HDR merge showing the classic weak contrast. Could you for instance tweak the single shot more (lower contrast and highlights) to getting something quite similar to what the HDR shot produced? That's my point in all of this, time and time again the single shot could keep up with the HDR Merge, even when 3EV bracketed.

---------- Post added 04-06-20 at 09:56 AM ----------

Post #13 here is tduell's post

but anyway yeah, I think this is about the K-1 doing superb anyway.

Linked post corrected from #13 to #17. Link itself was right. Sorry! DXOLabs says 14.6EV at ISO100 for the K-1.

thepedant · 04-06-2020, 02:16 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BruceBanner

Ah but the images are not the same at all with the HDR merge showing the classic weak contrast. Could you for instance tweak the single shot more (lower contrast and highlights) to getting something quite similar to what the HDR shot produced?

No, the highlights are totally blown. But there is plenty of detail in the shadows. So I took the -3EV image out of the HDR file into RT and yes, I can boost the shadows and it looks pretty much like the HDR image! This is most interesting. I will try some more experiments today. Nothing much else to do while we are under house arrest anyway.

MrB1 · 04-06-2020, 04:31 AM - **1 Like**

So, it would appear that for those who capture camera JPEGs the HDR Modes can be immediately useful, (example), but the effective and simple procedure for those who shoot raw would be to capture just one shot using the ETTR method, and selectively adjust the shadows and mid-tones in post-processing.

Philip

stevebrot · 04-06-2020, 12:41 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MrB1

So, it would appear that for those who capture camera JPEGs the HDR Modes can be immediately useful, (example), but the effective and simple procedure for those who shoot raw would be to capture just one shot using the ETTR method, and selectively adjust the shadows and mid-tones in post-processing.

Philip

Unless ETTR results in paucity of low value data (i.e. loss of desired tonality and detail in the shadows) such that little or nothing is available to one's PP tools. That said, I don't recommend the in-camera HDR for RAW shooting, but would suggest five-step bracketed exposure with as much as two stops either side of the chosen exposure followed by HDR merge with tool of choice.

Steve

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04-05-2020, 04:53 PM	#31
BruceBanner Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 5,405 Original Poster	Originally posted by thepedant It does help with a massive dynamic range like the shot below. The first image is a single shot. The second image is a 3 EV bracket with the shots separated with DCU5 and then merged using enfuse. Ah but the images are not the same at all with the HDR merge showing the classic weak contrast. Could you for instance tweak the single shot more (lower contrast and highlights) to getting something quite similar to what the HDR shot produced? That's my point in all of this, time and time again the single shot could keep up with the HDR Merge, even when 3EV bracketed. ---------- Post added 04-06-20 at 09:56 AM ---------- Originally posted by acoufap Hi Bruce, did you follow my hint in post #13? If the brightness distribution of your image fits into the histograms range or is only cut minimal you won't win much if anything using HDR mode. This will be the case in most scenarios because K-1 covers a huge dynamic range. Post #13 here is tduell's post but anyway yeah, I think this is about the K-1 doing superb anyway.

04-05-2020, 11:18 PM	#32
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,191	Originally posted by BruceBanner Ah but the images are not the same at all with the HDR merge showing the classic weak contrast. Could you for instance tweak the single shot more (lower contrast and highlights) to getting something quite similar to what the HDR shot produced? That's my point in all of this, time and time again the single shot could keep up with the HDR Merge, even when 3EV bracketed. ---------- Post added 04-06-20 at 09:56 AM ---------- Post #13 here is tduell's post but anyway yeah, I think this is about the K-1 doing superb anyway. Linked post corrected from #13 to #17. Link itself was right. Sorry! DXOLabs says 14.6EV at ISO100 for the K-1.

04-06-2020, 02:16 AM - 1 Like	#33
thepedant Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Nottingham Posts: 70	Originally posted by BruceBanner Ah but the images are not the same at all with the HDR merge showing the classic weak contrast. Could you for instance tweak the single shot more (lower contrast and highlights) to getting something quite similar to what the HDR shot produced? No, the highlights are totally blown. But there is plenty of detail in the shadows. So I took the -3EV image out of the HDR file into RT and yes, I can boost the shadows and it looks pretty much like the HDR image! This is most interesting. I will try some more experiments today. Nothing much else to do while we are under house arrest anyway.

04-06-2020, 04:31 AM - 1 Like	#34
MrB1 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 845	So, it would appear that for those who capture camera JPEGs the HDR Modes can be immediately useful, (example), but the effective and simple procedure for those who shoot raw would be to capture just one shot using the ETTR method, and selectively adjust the shadows and mid-tones in post-processing. Philip

04-06-2020, 12:41 PM - 1 Like	#35
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by MrB1 So, it would appear that for those who capture camera JPEGs the HDR Modes can be immediately useful, (example), but the effective and simple procedure for those who shoot raw would be to capture just one shot using the ETTR method, and selectively adjust the shadows and mid-tones in post-processing. Philip Unless ETTR results in paucity of low value data (i.e. loss of desired tonality and detail in the shadows) such that little or nothing is available to one's PP tools. That said, I don't recommend the in-camera HDR for RAW shooting, but would suggest five-step bracketed exposure with as much as two stops either side of the chosen exposure followed by HDR merge with tool of choice. Steve