What are good starting settings to store for exposure bracketing shots?

Question

I started experimenting with the Custom Functions (C1,C2,C3) on my Canon 7D and I decided a useful one to have may be setting it up for exposure bracketing. So it's a quick switch if I ever need it, as opposed to going through the menu to set it up.

I realize the settings would vastly depend on the situation, but do you have any suggestions for some good all round settings to program in as a starting point?

Examples: 1 stop vs 1 1/3 vs 2 stop brackets / ISO choices / Metering mode / shooting mode and so on.

Answer 1

If bracketing for HDR, between 1 1/3 and 2 stops if doing 3 exposures, or 2/3 to 1 stop if doing a 5 exposure set. Depending on the situation. I do 3 exposures at 1 1/3 stops and that covers most situations (I believe that's the default on my D90)

If you aren't doing HDR, but want to bracket for safety reasons, probably +/- 2/3 of a stop.

If you are doing HDR or blending multiple images, you want a fixed aperture, so use Aperture priority or Manual. If the aperture varies you'd get images with different DOF and probably weird effects when you try to merge them.

I usually prefocus, then set to MF, metering set to Manual, and use the high setting for 4-5 frames per second and fire them off quickly. I can avoid using a tripod that way. Too much movement and most HDR programs don't do a good job in aligning and ghost removal in my experience. My self timer will take multiple shots, so I often set that to 3 shots, then I can steady the camera and let it take the shots without having to mash down the shutter release 3 times.

If on a tripod I always use the self timer trick to take the 3 exposure set.

I don't really give ISO any more thought than usual, just keep as low as I can for the situation.

Answer 2

I was always told that -1 1/3, 0, +1 1/3 are good settings for bracketing, but sometimes if the light is very contrasty (bright sky, dark landscape) I will go to -2, 0, +2.

There is also a custom function somewhere buried on the 7D that controls the ordering of bracketed photos. By default it is 0,-,+ I think. Change it to -,0,+ and when reviewing pics later they make a whole lot more sense!!

There is also a custom function that controls whether the camera 'forgets' bracketing mode when the camera is turned off and on again or whether it retains the bracketing settings. I chose to keep them retained. Personal choice of course, but it's nice to know the option is there if you are using bracketing.

Answer 3

I have used the Custom function on a Nikon D7000. I prefer keeping the color settings different. Usually, slight desat for portraits and vivid for landscapes. Helps me quickly move from one type of photograph to another.

But, if you want to bracket, 1/3 exposure brackets would be good. Followed by White-Balance and finally ISO.

From my experience in JPEG post processing, I have always wished i had a taken it at a different exposure. Color tones can be varied to some extent using the filters.