5d2 - changing exposure with continuous shooting?

Hello!

I just got a 5dII, came from a Nikon D80. Thank you, thank you. I was wondering if it is possible to set the exposure when using continuous shots? For example, setting each shot be a different exposure so it'll automatically shoot continuous shots with those specified exposures?

I'm still learning! Thanks!

You can do exposure bracketing. It's kind of what you are asking for.

What is the outcome you're looking for? Why would you want to shoot, continuously, with different exposures?

HDR photos. would that make sense?

andrewliu wrote in post #14670139
HDR photos. would that make sense?

Yes, it would. Just wanted to make sure that that is what you were looking for And Anders is right, Bracketing is what you want, in that case.

Unfortunately, the Canons only do 3 shot bracketing; which is one of their weaknesses vs a few of the Nikons.

Snydremark wrote in post #14670171
Unfortunately, the Canons only do 3 shot bracketing; which is one of their weaknesses vs a few of the Nikons.

If you use a tripod you can do as many different exposures as you want by manually changing. Snydremark is correct in that the camera will do only 3 shots automatically.

goldboughtrue wrote in post #14670216
If you use a tripod you can do as many different exposures as you want by manually changing. Snydremark is correct in that the camera will do only 3 shots automatically.

Yeah, i figured that, but if i'm out and about trying to get some quick shots. I'd hope to just do some continuous shooting, if I don't have a tripod. also, I think another way that you might get away with "5 brackets" is to set two different camera user setting, 1 would be for +/-2, 0 and another camera user setting for +/-1,0. Maybe that'll be good for a workaround

5DIII can do up to 7 frames of bracketing (I'm guessing 1DX can, too)....

Hopefully future Canon models will be able to, as well.

One would think it just a firmware change, in which case I wish Canon would offer it on current models, too.

In fact, it's my understanding that Magic Lantern software allows for more exposures during bracketing, for HDR, focus stacking and possibly some other purposes. It's a software that you install as sort of an overlay to the camera's firmware. I haven't used it yet, but am considering it for 5DII. It was originally developed for the 5DII specifically, to enhance the camera's video capabilities. But some still photo enhancements are included and it has been expanded to work on some other models. I think there is some limitation the version of firmware that ML can be used with (I didn't do the latest firmware updates on my 5DII for just this reason). Development of ML sort of lags behind the firmware revisions, and sometimes Canon makes a change that causes issues with ML.

If you are interested, there's more info on Magic Lantern here on POTN and here on an external site. If you primarily want extended bracketing capability, you would probably only need the ML Classic version.

As to locking in exposure... there are several ways you can do it. What I'd probably do is simply set the camera to M or manual mode and be sure to avoid auto ISO. Once you've set all the parameters... aperture, shutter and ISO... just take as many exposures as you wish, changing the appropriate factor as needed for as many exposures as needed.

Of course, bracketing can do that for you automatically.

You also could use AE Lock... but I think it's only good for 16 seconds.

There is also a custom function where you get AE Lock every time you press the shutter release... the exposure won't change so long as you maintain at least half-press on the shutter release. If firing a burst of shots, that would work.

You probably also won't want AF to change during your series of shots. In One Shot mode the camera will achieve lock and then stop focusing, giving you Focus Confirmation. In AI Servo it will continually update focus, so you probably want to avoid that.

You might turn off AF ath the switch on the lens and use manual focus... then be careful not to bump the focus ring on the lens. (You can use Focus Confirmation or Live View, if you wish.)

Or set up the camera to do Back Button Focusing, in which case the camera will only focus when that button is pressed. (BBF can be used with or without AE Lock, too.)