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I've had a bit of time using Photomatix Pro 4, some really good results and sometimes not so. I'll try and outline the basic principles for using it as I understand :
Assuming we stick to the idea of using HDR to produce an output image that retains visible detail in both shadows and highlight areas, and the dynamic range of the scene is beyond what the camera can record, then the starting point is to capture a range of shots, each one of which records good detail in a specific tonal range.
Arguably the most important of these shots would be the one at the highest EV setting (to record the shadows), and secondly at the other extreme (lowest EV setting) recording highlights. You can then choose to shoot maybe one or 3 intermediate shots (so either a 3 or 5 shot bracket, and our Pentax DSLRs have this function automatically.
The guide to use here is the histogram on the LCD - make sure that for the highest EV shot the grey brightness data is well away from the left edge of the histogram, and likewise for the lowest EV shot that the grey data is a fair way to the left of the right edge.
The HDR program will effectively 'take the best bits' exposure-wise from each shot and merge them (using the tone-mapping or fusion process) to create an image with an expanded visible tonal range, much more akin to what the eye is able to process and view all at the same time.
Bracketing like this is the key to achieving quality, as opposed to just reprocessing a single shot with blown details at either end, because each individual shot has been exposed optimally for the shadows / mids / highlights.
Obviously the key to successful bracketing for this purpose is to maintain a constant aperture (so using Av mode) and minimising camera movement between shots (tripod is best, or careful handholding in good light with SR). Make sure that the camera menu item is set for 'one push bracketing' and this will fire the shots in a rapid burst.
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