Preserving Detail in Highlights and Shadows (Active D-Lighting and HDR)
Active D-Lighting
Active D-Lighting, accessed via the [
] item in the photo or movie shooting menu, is used to preserve details in highlights and shadows, creating pictures with natural contrast. Use for high-contrast scenes, for example when photographing brightly-lit outdoor scenery through a door or window or taking pictures of shaded subjects on a sunny day. Active D-Lighting is most effective when [ ] is selected for metering.
[ ] |
[ ] |
Active D-Lighting Options
Option |
Description |
|
---|---|---|
Y |
[ ] |
The camera automatically adjusts Active D‑Lighting in response to shooting conditions. |
3 |
[ ] |
Choose the amount of Active D-Lighting performed from [ ], [ ], [ ], [ ], and [ ]. |
Z |
[ ] |
|
P |
[ ] |
|
Q |
[ ] |
|
R |
[ ] |
|
[ ] |
Active D-Lighting off. |
-
“Noise” in the form of randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines may appear in photos taken with Active D-Lighting.
-
In mode M, [
] is equivalent to [ ]. -
Uneven shading may be visible with some subjects.
-
Active D-Lighting does not apply at high ISO sensitivities (Hi 0.3–Hi 5), including high sensitivities selected via auto ISO sensitivity control.
-
The [
] option in the movie shooting menu offers a choice of [ ], [ ], [ ], [ ], and [ ].
High Dynamic Range (HDR)
The [
] item in the photo shooting menu can be used with high-contrast subjects to preserve details in highlights and shadows by combining two shots taken at different exposures. Use with high-contrast scenes and other subjects to preserve a wide range of details, from highlights to shadows.HDR Options
Option |
Description |
---|---|
[ ] |
|
[ ] |
Choose the difference in exposure between the two shots. The higher the value, the greater the dynamic range. If [ ] is selected, the camera will automatically adjust the exposure differential to suit the scene. |
[ ] |
Choose how much the boundaries between the two images are smoothed. |
[ ] |
Choose [ ] to save each of the individual shots used to create the HDR image; the shots are saved in NEF (RAW) format. The shots are saved at an image size of [ ], regardless of the option selected for [ ] > [ ] in the photo shooting menu. |
Taking HDR Photographs
We recommend that you use the [
] metering option when shooting with HDR.-
Highlight [2.] in the photo shooting menu and press
-
-
Highlight [2.
] and press -
Highlight one of the following options using 1 or 3 and press J.
Option
Description
[
]Take a series of HDR photographs. HDR shooting will continue until you select [
] for [ ].[
]Normal shooting will resume after you have taken a single HDR photograph.
[
]Proceed without taking additional HDR photographs.
-
If [y icon will be displayed in the top control panel while HDR mode is in effect.
] or [ ] is selected, an
-
-
Choose a value for [].
-
Highlight [2.
] and press -
Highlight an option using 1 or 3 and press J.
-
Choose higher values for high-contrast subjects.
-
Note, however, that choosing a higher value than required may not produce the desired results. Match your choice to the level of contrast in the scene.
-
If [
] is selected, the camera will automatically adjust the exposure differential to suit the scene.
-
-
Adjust [].
-
Highlight [2.
] and press -
Highlight an option using 1 or 3 and press J; the selected option represents the amount the boundaries between the two images are smoothed.
-
Higher values produce a smoother composite image.
-
-
Choose a setting for [].
-
Highlight [2.
] and press -
Highlight an option using 1 or 3 and press J.
-
Choose [
] to save each of the individual shots used to create the HDR image; the shots are saved in NEF (RAW) format. The shots are saved at an image size of [ ], regardless of the option selected for [ ] > [ ] in the photo shooting menu.
-
-
Frame the photograph, focus, and shoot.
-
The camera takes two exposures when the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down.
-
Flashing “1” and “k” indicators appear respectively in the top control panel and viewfinder while the images are combined. No additional pictures can be taken until recording is complete.
-
If [
] is selected for [ ], you can continue to take HDR photographs until [ ] is selected. -
If [
] is selected, HDR will turn off automatically after a single shot.
-
HDR photographs taken when an NEF (RAW) or NEF (RAW) + JPEG option is selected for image quality will be recorded in JPEG format.
-
The edges of the image will be cropped out.
-
The desired results may not be achieved if the camera or subject moves during shooting. Use of a tripod is recommended.
-
Depending on the scene, you may notice shadows around bright objects or halos around dark objects. This can be mitigated using [
]. -
Uneven shading may be visible with some subjects.
-
With non-CPU lenses and when [
] or [ ] is selected, an [ ] of [ ] is equivalent to [ ]. -
Optional flash units will not fire.
-
In
ClandChmodes and during burst photography in mode Q, only one photograph will be taken each time the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down. -
Shutter speeds of A (“Bulb”) and % (“Time”) are not available.
HDR cannot be combined with some camera features, including:
-
Bracketing
-
Multiple exposure
-
Interval-timer photography
-
Time-lapse movies
-
Focus shift
When [
] is selected for Custom Setting f3 [ ] > [ ], [ ] (Step 2) and [ ] (Step 3) can be selected using the BKT button and command dials.-
Hold the BKT button and rotate the main command dial to choose from the following HDR modes: a ([ ]), 1 ([ ]), and b ([ ]).
-
You can choose the exposure differential by holding the BKT button and rotating the sub-command dial.