AE Bracketing for HDR: How much is enough?

My EOS 60D has the capability to do three shot burst AE brackets of up to +/- 3.0EV. I think that -3EV, 0EV, and +3EV shots are likely to handle most contrast situations I might encounter, unless I am trying to photograph a black cat in a coal bin with the direct sun in the frame.

However, a 3EV step size seems pretty coarse to me. I think the resulting combined HDR image would be smoother with smaller steps and more exposures.

I have the latest Magic Lantern installed on my camera, and with that you can do up to 9 exposure brackets with up to 5EV step size. That is an enormous contrast range, (probably enough to shoot out of the south end of a northbound black cat in a coal bin with the core of the sun in the frame) but again 5EV steps seem kind of absurd.

I am thinking something like 5 exposures with 2EV steps (total -4EV to +4EV), or 7 exposures with 1.5EV steps (total -4.5 to +4.5EV) for more smoothness, or even 9 exposures with 1EV steps for even more (but maybe unnecessary) smoothness. With 9 exposures, a lot of stuff can move during the sequence, making deghosting a challenge unless the scene is dead calm, so I would rather not use so many exposures if they aren't necessary.

I'm curious to hear what some of the experienced folks here would prefer to use. What size EV steps are desirable? In the absence of further guidance, 5 shots of +/- 2EV steps seems adequate to me. Of course I know that all of this depends on the scene and that there is no hard and fast rule that covers every situation.

IMO & experience, 3 is typically enough.

But, as you stated 3 can be far from enough at times. Here is a 10 exposure my g/f took in Puerto Rico. There was no light inside the staircase:

http://www.flickr.com …/in/set-72157623196540092

michaelnel wrote in post #14020383
I have the latest Magic Lantern installed on my camera, and with that you can do up to 9 exposure brackets with up to 5EV step size.

You can capture 9 exposures with a single push of the shutter release? I own a couple Magic Lantern dvds, but did not know there was camera software.

If I had the option 5 to 6 exposures would be my ideal HDR shooting. Only thing is space would go quick shooting RAW.

Well, I am juggling the balance between how many exposures and what step size.

Yes, depending on which EOS camera you have, Magic Lantern firmware will install on your memory card and significantly increase the capabilities of your camera. After you choose the AE bracketing settings, you push the release for the first exposure and ML does the rest, up to 9 exposures in from .5 to 5 EV steps.

http://magiclantern.wi​kia.com …gic_Lantern_Fir​mware_Wiki

I like the 7 exposure AEB of my 1Ds2 and typically set it up at 1 stop intervals (-3 / +3). If I think the dynamic range calls for it, I'll change the spacing to either 1.3 or 1.6. At a spacing of 1.6Ev, my spread is -4 /+4. Generally speaking, there is more potential loss of detail in the highlights than in the shadows so I can also use exposure compensation to 'roll' the entire bracketing spacing to something like -2 /+5.

I think having at least 7 exposures gives a much smoother transition and a more realistic final image.

I think I will also sell my 5D2 and 1Ds2 for the new 5D3...and I'm keeping my 7D.

Thanks NavyDoc, that's the kind of information I was looking for.

I'll have to agree with what Gene said. I really wish ML would work with the 7D, as I'd like to give it a spin. I'm about to shoot (waiting for permission) some stuff that will have a very wide range of light. It involves a burned out building and sunlight. Like Gene, I'm a fan of smaller steps, somewhere between 1 and 2 stops, but I rarely shoot at 2 stops per. I'd love to be able to run 1 or 1.3 for 7-9 shots. I'm trying to figure out what I can sell for the 5DIII also, Gene.