HDR (High Dynamic Range) Shooting (EOS 5D Mark IV)

You can shoot still photos with clipped highlights and shadows reduced for a high dynamic range of tones even in high-contrast scenes. HDR shooting is effective for landscape and still-life shots.

With HDR shooting, three images of different exposures (standard exposure, underexposure, and overexposure) are captured consecutively for each shot and then merged together automatically. The HDR image is recorded as a JPEG image.

* HDR stands for High Dynamic Range.

HDR Shooting Procedures

1. Turn on the camera.

2. Select the shooting mode.

Press the lock release button

Turn the Mode Dial

3. Press the ⋖ ⋗ button.

4. Turn the ⋖ ⋗ dial to select [ HDR ], then press ⋖ ⋗.

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5. Turn the ⋖ ⋗ dial to select [Adjust dyn range], then press ⋖ ⋗.

6. Set [Adjust dyn range].

Turn the ⋖ ⋗ dial to select the desired dynamic range setting, then press ⋖ ⋗.

7. Set [Effect].

Turn the ⋖ ⋗ dial to select [Effect], then press ⋖ ⋗.

8. Set [Continuous HDR].

Turn the ⋖ ⋗ dial to select [Continuous HDR], then press ⋖ ⋗.

Turn the ⋖ ⋗ dial to select [1 shot only] or [Every shot] then press ⋖ ⋗.

9. Set [Auto Image Align].

Turn the ⋖ ⋗ dial to select [Auto Image Align], then press ⋖ ⋗.

Turn the ⋖ ⋗ dial to select [Enable] for handheld shooting, or select [Disable] when using a tripod, then press ⋖ ⋗.

10. Set the images to be saved.

Turn the ⋖ ⋗ dial to select [Save source imgs], then press ⋖ ⋗.

To save all three images and the merged HDR image, turn the ⋖ ⋗ dial to select [All images], then press ⋖ ⋗.

To save only the HDR image, turn the ⋖ ⋗ dial to select [HDR img only], then press ⋖ ⋗.

11. Take the picture.

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If the image-recording quality is set to RAW, the HDR image will be recorded in quality. If the image-recording quality is set to RAW+JPEG, the HDR image will be recorded in the JPEG quality set.

HDR shooting is not possible with expanded ISO speeds (L, H1, H2). HDR shooting is possible within ISO 100 - ISO 32000 (varies depending on the settings of [Minimum] and [Maximum] under [Range for stills]).

The flash will not fire during HDR shooting.

HDR shooting will automatically have the following set to [Disable]: [Distortion correction] under [ : Lens aberration correction], [ : Auto Lighting Optimizer], and [ : Highlight tone priority].

AEB cannot be set.

If you shoot a moving subject, the moving subject may leave afterimages.

In HDR shooting, 3 images are captured with different shutter speeds set automatically. Therefore, even in the ⋖　Tv　⋗ and ⋖ M ⋗　shooting modes, the shutter speed will be shifted based on the shutter speed you set.

To prevent camera shake, a high ISO speed may be set.

You can set the camera to display [ ] in the viewfinder and on the LCD panel for when the HDR mode is set.

When shooting HDR images with [Auto Image Align] set to [Enable], AF point display information and Dust Delete Data will not be appended to the image.

If you perform handheld HDR shooting with [Auto Image Align] set to [Enable], image periphery will be slightly trimmed and resolution will be slightly lowered. Also, if the images cannot be aligned properly due to camera shake, etc., auto image alignment may not take effect. Note that when shooting with excessively bright (or dark) exposure settings, auto image alignment may not work properly.

If you perform handheld HDR shooting with [Auto Image Align] set to [Disable], the 3 images may not be properly aligned and the HDR effect may become smaller. Using a tripod is recommended.

Auto image alignment may not work properly with repetitive patterns (lattice, stripes, etc.) or flat, single-tone images. The color gradation of the sky or white walls may not be reproduced correctly. Irregular colors, irregular exposure or noise may appear.

HDR shooting under fluorescent or LED lighting may result in unnatural color reproduction of the illuminated areas.

With HDR shooting, the images will be merged, then saved to the card, so it may take some time. Therefore, it will take a longer time to record the HDR image to the card than with normal shooting. During the processing of the images, "buSY" will be displayed in the viewfinder and on the LCD panel, and you cannot take another picture until the processing is completed.

If you set HDR shooting and then switch to movie shooting, the HDR shooting setting may be canceled (the [Adjust dyn range] setting may be changed to [Disable HDR]).

Types of Effects

For images preserving a wide tonal range where the highlight and shadow details would otherwise be lost. Clipped highlights and shadows will be reduced.

While the clipped highlights and shadows will be reduced more than with [Natural], the contrast will be lower, and the gradation flatter to have the picture look like a painting. The subject outlines will have bright (or dark) edges.

The colors are more saturated than with [Art standard], and the low contrast and flat gradation create a graphic art effect.

The colors are the most saturated, making the subject pop out, and the picture look like an oil painting.

The color saturation, brightness, contrast and gradation are decreased to make the picture look flat. The picture looks faded and old. The subject outlines will have bright (or dark) edges.

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