How to do hdr on 1dx?

[supersammy]

My friend Adam has a 5diii which can do hdr. As I'm not very good at photograph I think this will be a good way for me to get nice looking photos.

However I have googled and cannot work out how to do it on my camera? Does anyone know?

 

[MWHCVT]

In camera HDR is woeful and most HDR is truthfully woeful as its over processed HDR is taking under and exposed as well as neutral exposures and blending them into a single image to create a correctly exposed image across the scene...typically of use in areas of deep shadow and bright light that cannot all be exposed in a single exposure...not something to leave to the camera...you can merge files in Photoshop or any other number of dedicated software packages

 

[buckas]

You're not very good at 'photograph' but have a 1dx? K

Press the Picture styles button, scroll to HDR - plenty of vids on YouTube

 

[supersammy]

In camera HDR is woeful and most HDR is truthfully woeful as its over processed HDR is taking under and exposed as well as neutral exposures and blending them into a single image to create a correctly exposed image across the scene...typically of use in areas of deep shadow and bright light that cannot all be exposed in a single exposure...not something to leave to the camera...you can merge files in Photoshop or any other number of dedicated software packages

On my friends Canon 5diii it looks great. His landscapes are amazing. I went out today and realised I needed to learn how to do this on my camera.

I'm not that good with camera's. I am trying to learn, but I am not great with photoshop or lightroom either.

Do you know what buttons to press on the 1dx to make it work?

 

[supersammy]

You're not very good at 'photograph' but have a 1dx? K

Press the Picture styles button, scroll to HDR - plenty of vids on YouTube

Thanks. Just what I was looking for! Top man.

I've just tried doing this. But I can't find it I will have a look on youtube!

 

[Canon Bob]

The 1Dx doesn't have an HDR function as far as I'm aware....you'd have to bracket exposure and process externally.

Bob

 

[supersammy]

The 1Dx doesn't have an HDR function as far as I'm aware....you'd have to bracket exposure and process externally.

Bob

Thats a shame. I'm a bit dissapointed Canon have chosen to leave this out of what is meant to be one of their good Cameras. If the 5diii has this very useful feature the 1dx should have it.

With some hope they will sort this with a firmware update.

 

[MWHCVT]

On my friends Canon 5diii it looks great. His landscapes are amazing. I went out today and realised I needed to learn how to do this on my camera.

I'm not that good with camera's. I am trying to learn, but I am not great with photoshop or lightroom either.

Do you know what buttons to press on the 1dx to make it work?

Not having a 1DX I'm not totally sure on buttons nut if you got to the "Q" button and highlight the Metre scrolling the scroll wheel should cause the metre needle to spit into five points for under/over exposed etcetera In continuous shooting this should then take 5 exposures of varying exposure values that you can then merge into a single file on the computer...you really need to learn how to edit the files rather than in camera as you need to understand what the exposures are for

That said if you really want in camera I'll swap you my 5D3 for your 1DX


(Only joking moddies)

 

[supersammy]

Not having a 1DX I'm not totally sure on buttons nut if you got to the "Q" button and highlight the Metre scrolling the scroll wheel should cause the metre needle to spit into five points for under/over exposed etcetera In continuous shooting this should then take 5 exposures of varying exposure values that you can then merge into a single file on the computer...you really need to learn how to edit the files rather than in camera as you need to understand what the exposures are for

That said if you really want in camera I'll swap you my 5D3 for your 1DX


(Only joking moddies)

Thanks.

Whilst I agree for a lot of the great work people do on here, it's better to have full control. But when you just want to take a quick photo, going to all this effort is not on.

My iPhone can do hdr... Can't see why thousands of pounds worth of camera cannot. I'll email Canon asking why they have not included it.

And I know people will say most users won't want it. But for quick snaps it would be great, if people use it on the 5diii they would use it on the 1dx

 

[Canon Bob]

Thats a shame. I'm a bit dissapointed Canon have chosen to leave this out of what is meant to be one of their good Cameras. If the 5diii has this very useful feature the 1dx should have it.

With some hope they will sort this with a firmware update.

I guess Canon did their market research amongst the people most likely to buy a 1Dx and HDR didn't figure too highly on the list of "wants"...probably not a big surprise to many people.

Bob

 

[MWHCVT]

Thanks.

Whilst I agree for a lot of the great work people do on here, it's better to have full control. But when you just want to take a quick photo, going to all this effort is not on.

My iPhone can do hdr... Can't see why thousands of pounds worth of camera cannot. I'll email Canon asking why they have not included it.

And I know people will say most users won't want it. But for quick snaps it would be great, if people use it on the 5diii they would use it on the 1dx

Bob really sums it up as quoted below, the 1DX is through and through pro spec body, yes there are going to be a small percentage owned by non professionals but I'd be willing to be the vast majority will not be, and on the whole a professional is not looking for added extras they want the camera to feature the tools they need to get the job done...also willing to be that the vast majority of those professionals would rather trust there own processing to that of a camera

If you want just a camera to fire off some snaps as you've put it the 1DX is maybe not the camera to do it

I guess Canon did their market research amongst the people most likely to buy a 1Dx and HDR didn't figure too highly on the list of "wants"...probably not a big surprise to many people.

Bob

 

[stevelmx5]

As above, I'm not really sure Canon see their top of the line DSLR with "quick snaps" in mind, that's what some of their other line of bodies are for.

Please don't take offence but I can't help thinking that you've bought a camera that's considerably higher end than you need just because it was a bargain. Of course, it's your money but there are better bodies for more 'controlled' shooting and automatic (eg in camera HDR) features.

Also, as per some of the previous comments, in camera HDR processing is generally pretty poor compared to editing properly in Photomatix or Photoshop even for grab shots.

Cheers Steve

 

[supersammy]

I guess Canon did their market research amongst the people most likely to buy a 1Dx and HDR didn't figure too highly on the list of "wants"...probably not a big surprise to many people.

Bob

I agree with you. Completely.

But the 5diii is basically a professional camera as well and they have added it to that.

I have to wonder if they have added it to the 1dc. I found out on google that the 1dx and 1dc are basically the same camera under the metal. It's only the software that stops you getting 4k video, and they have threatened court action if magic lantern dare touch the camera. All a bit of a scam really.

Ultimately I do like the camera, I just need to work on my skills a little bit. I shall learn how to do this hdr thing in photoshop (or might not bother as sometimes I do think it looks a bit clownish, but on the 5diii its mint).

Anyway I know I'm probably the exception. But I do think it's better to offer more that what most people want rather than limiting what a customer can do with a camera. I'm pretty sure 90% of 1dx owners would like in built hdr for snapshots, if it's as good as the 5d version.

 

[Ballyman]

Do you know what buttons to press on the 1dx to make it work?

This has to be a ****take, no?

 

[dinners]

I'm a bit dissapointed Canon have chosen to leave this out of what is meant to be one of their good Cameras.

I'm questioning whether this is for real.

 

[supersammy]

I'm questioning whether this is for real.

Phil it is for real.

And it's not just the lack of HDR that I find annoying. Canon have chosen to leave out lots of very useful stuff from this camera.

I'll start with some basics. It can't use the IR remote control. Every other good Canon camera can! Their solution is to spend another £500ish quid on their remote trigger device. If my old 7d could use a £3 wireless remote I can't see why this cannot.

On top of this my 7d could trigger speedlites without any expensive gadgets. From the camera. This more expensive camera requires you to buy another device to do this!

Lack of ear phone socket. I am a bit annoyed about this. I don't use video that often, but I loved being able to monitor audio on my 7d (until I got a zoom h4n, but thats an aside). Now I can't even play back video's listening on headphones if I want.

And lack of some basic functions like HDR. It's not just that. On my 7d there was an A function. This meant you could just take easy snaps when you wanted. They have gotten rid of this and replaced it with P. Now the 7d had P but I never used it... However I do wonder what I am missing out on without my A function.

There is plenty I like about the camera, but I think Canon have been a bit cheap with it. I would advise people to get the 5diii instead as it has more megapixels and all the stuff this camera is missing. It's a shame as if it had that stuff it would be a really really great camera.

Some of it might not be for you, with the A function and HDR. But i think everyone could use IR remotes and a headphone socket.

 

[dinners]

Fair enough Sam

We all have our wish lists - perhaps the 1DX isn't for you

 

[MWHCVT]

Phil it is for real.

And it's not just the lack of HDR that I find annoying. Canon have chosen to leave out lots of very useful stuff from this camera.

I'll start with some basics. It can't use the IR remote control. Every other good Canon camera can! Their solution is to spend another £500ish quid on their remote trigger device. If my old 7d could use a £3 wireless remote I can't see why this cannot.

On top of this my 7d could trigger speedlites without any expensive gadgets. From the camera. This more expensive camera requires you to buy another device to do this!

Lack of ear phone socket. I am a bit annoyed about this. I don't use video that often, but I loved being able to monitor audio on my 7d (until I got a zoom h4n, but thats an aside). Now I can't even play back video's listening on headphones if I want.

And lack of some basic functions like HDR. It's not just that. On my 7d there was an A function. This meant you could just take easy snaps when you wanted. They have gotten rid of this and replaced it with P. Now the 7d had P but I never used it... However I do wonder what I am missing out on without my A function.

There is plenty I like about the camera, but I think Canon have been a bit cheap with it. I would advise people to get the 5diii instead as it has more megapixels and all the stuff this camera is missing. It's a shame as if it had that stuff it would be a really really great camera.

Some of it might not be for you, with the A function and HDR. But i think everyone could use IR remotes and a headphone socket.

I've never seen a remote for any camera that is £500 or even close for the function you describe, what is more IR triggers are in my experience the worst triggers going very unreliable

 

[stevelmx5]

When you say 'A' function do you mean 'Auto' or 'Av' (aperture priority)? If you've just spent £1500 on a body and are looking for an Auto function then I really have no words.

Steve

 

[supersammy]

When you say 'A' function do you mean 'Auto' or 'Av' (aperture priority)? If you've just spent £1500 on a body and are looking for an Auto function then I really have no words.

Steve

It has Av but not Auto.

Horses for courses. Sometimes you want to take a nice quick image without thinking. Now admittedly I have got to the point where I use Av or Tv now. But if I were to give the camera to a friend or family member to use for the weekend a auto function would be nice. It's all about usability.

And I do take on board what people are saying about it not being pitched at this market. But having the ability to do these things would not make it worst, and for some would make it better.

 

[the_womble]

This just HAS to be a wind up by a Nikon user

 

[supersammy]

I love how I ask a fairly innocuous question on here, I quickly get the answer, and then I start getting ripped to bits by everyone. I've never claimed to either be a very good or a very experienced photographer.

I'm not out to wind anyone up at the moment. I've made a few basic observations about my experience of changing some equipment. It's not a personal dig at anyone. You may be more experienced than me, and my comments and questions might seem silly and ridiculous. But I'm just trying to learn some stuff. I didn't know that you couldn't do hdr in camera (or how to do it in photoshop) so I asked.

 

[Canon Bob]

I don't mean this to sound derogatory, Sam, but I think you've bought a tool and you wanted a toy....albeit a very high spec toy.
(I use the word toy as to suggest something to entertain and the word tool to imply something to earn a living from).


Bob

 

[stu.artd]

Sam, you've went and bought the top end Canon dslr without realising that it's for a totally different segment of the market, and really is not designerd for 'casual' use. Unfortunately it seems that the 1DX isn't for you. It might be worth looking into selling it on and going for a 5d3 instead (and a nice lens as well given the difference in their prices), from what I can gather the feature set of that camera will be more aligned with what you want. To be honest I think the 5d3 would suit me better than the 1DX as well (but I only have a 7d and 5d2).

 

[Keebsuk]

Sammy, promise me one thing. Please don't ever be tempted to write a review for the 1DX.

Andy

 

[supersammy]

Sam, unfortunately it seems that the 1DX isn't for you. It might be worth looking into selling it on and going for a 5d3 instead (and a nice lens as well given the difference in their prices), from what I can gather the feature set of that camera will be more aligned with what you want. To be honest I think the 5d3 would suit me better than the 1DX as well.

I completely agree. And I take no offence in what you are saying. It's just the generally snide remarks of some people. My "dream" camera was the 5diii. However when I managed to get this, I realised I could shift it on for the same money, and most likely a profit if I did not get on and thought I would be a fool to pass up on that.

I see it as no different to buying a high performance car and then asking how to use the automatic transmission if it's got that function (as a lot of high performance cars do), and getting ripped by the petrolhead types. Or getting a high spec computer, for running high performance programmes, and asking how to install java to play a game online, and people trying to take a pop. Not everyone is going to be a purist, and some people want the best of both worlds.

My idea was to give this a go for a couple of months and if it was too much for me then I would shift it on. I have some pretty decentish lenses that I thought would be ok with it. I'm never going to by the type who wants a dozen cameras for different jobs, and for me I want something which I can use to take some snaps of the dogs and then also have a go at recreating my own version of some amazing photo's which I have seen in books or even sometimes on here.

I'm not overly precious. But I do think some people just want to have a pop for the sake of it.

 

[supersammy]

Sammy, promise me one thing. Please don't ever be tempted to write a review for the 1DX.

Andy

This is what I am talking about.

Given you do not have the camera how do you feel qualified to even comment? You are basing what you saying and thinking on what you have read on the internet, heard from other people or felt in a shop.

However you feel infinitely more qualified than me to judge the pros and cons of this product...

 

[simonblue]

This is what I am talking about.

Given you do not have the camera how do you feel qualified to even comment? You are basing what you saying and thinking on what you have read on the internet, heard from other people or felt in a shop.

However you feel infinitely more qualified than me to judge the pros and cons of this product...

Sam don't take the remarks to badly,the 1dx is very much a pro tool design for pros,thats not to say if you can afford it their no reason not to own one.
But maybe the 5DmkIII would have been a better but for you.

As for HDR if you really want to give it a go,my advice same as some other posted is learn to do it in software rather than in the camera,the results will be a lot better.

 

[Byker28i]

Just out of interest Sammy what lenses do you use with it?

Also the sports car analogy is I think a poor one. You don't generally go out and buy a true performance car on a whim, just because you can afford it. You generally have a real interest in cars, understand the unique features to the models you are considering, then discover a couple of features you didn't know about or weren't sure of.

5D mk3 is a great camera but the 1DX is designed to be a tool. I've used the HDR on the 5dMk3 - it produces a jpeg file that can be ok, just don't have anything moving in it like people as you'll have ghosting. But as said - bracketed raws processed outside camera are significantly better.

The 1DX is a full-frame, 18 Megapixel sensor shooting at 14 frames per second, with high ISO capabilities. That rather shouts sports to me rather than landscapes.

 

[supersammy]

Just out of interest Sammy what lenses do you use with it?

Also the sports car analogy is I think a poor one. You don't generally go out and buy a true performance car on a whim, just because you can afford it. You generally have a real interest in cars, understand the unique features to the models you are considering, then discover a couple of features you didn't know about or weren't sure of.

5D mk3 is a great camera but the 1DX is designed to be a tool. I've used the HDR on the 5dMk3 - it produces a jpeg file that can be ok, just don't have anything moving in it like people as you'll have ghosting. But as said - bracketed raws processed outside camera are significantly better.

The 1DX is a full-frame, 18 Megapixel sensor shooting at 14 frames per second, with high ISO capabilities. That rather shouts sports to me rather than landscapes.

I've got a 24-105 a 50mm and a 70-200 at the moment. To be honest I am interested in taking photo's of lots of things. I don't think it's the camera that is the problem but me.

 

[SarahLee]

Guys, please either keep to the question asked in the thread or if you don't like it just click back and move onto another thread.
I've had a bit of a clean-up in here now, so let's not start going down the personal / bickering route again.

Sam, I can see why people are dubious about this thread. It does seem rather a naive question from somebody who's been here a little while.
At the same time, you don't know what you don't know and people having a dig is not only unhelpful in answering your thread it also puts other members off from asking their own questions on the forum.

Let's all keep it friendly please.

 

[viewfromthenorth]

If for some reason you feel you want to do hdr, then this site is one of the best known for hdr and tutorials.

http://www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-tutorial/

First things first - dig out your manual, and find out how to bracket on your camera. A tripod is a useful thing to have as well.

 

[simonblue]

I've got a 24-105 a 50mm and a 70-200 at the moment. To be honest I am interested in taking photo's of lots of things. I don't think it's the camera that is the problem but me.

My advice would be forget about HDR for the moment,just take your camera out with you and get used to how your camera works.
Then start to look for photos opp in your head,is it the way the light is falling on something,is it something someone is doing, etc.
Then you will start to see things in a photographer way,yes i want to take a photo of that.

 

[woof woof]

Maybe the OP could give Topaz Adjust a try?

You can trial it for a while for free and if you decide to buy it seems to be reasonably priced.

I tried it and found it fun and quite good but I decided I wouldn't use it enough to make me want to pay. It looks to be quite good and a bit of a bargain if you want that sort of package though.

 

[Phil V]

Sam
Aside from the usual derision that can be predicted from some circles when an inexperienced photographer buys something expensive but unsuitable, it's this attitude that'll get you into hot water.

... I'm pretty sure 90% of 1dx owners would like in built hdr for snapshots, if it's as good as the 5d version.

Because most photographers would know that having a camera with more functions than you need is a major usability disadvantage. We'd all bet that 99% of 1dx buyers would find no use for hdr mode.

If I were you I'd sell it for as much as you can get and buy a 5dIII. High end cameras have rarely been feature rich, this isn't Canon 'being cheap', this is them offering the features required by their customer base (believe me they know their customers), which is largely sports / press photographers.

Personally I hate the fact that the xxd cameras have the scene modes and green square, I'm happy that P mode is auto enough for anyone I might hand a camera to and I've got mates who hate the fact their 'camera' can shoot video. I'm guessing I'm a more 'typical' photographer than you, I never want my camera to play 'tricks' I just need it to be really easy to get to the main functions.

 

[supersammy]

Sam
Aside from the usual derision that can be predicted from some circles when an inexperienced photographer buys something expensive but unsuitable, it's this attitude that'll get you into hot water.



Because most photographers would know that having a camera with more functions than you need is a major usability disadvantage. We'd all bet that 99% of 1dx buyers would find no use for hdr mode.

If I were you I'd sell it for as much as you can get and buy a 5dIII. High end cameras have rarely been feature rich, this isn't Canon 'being cheap', this is them offering the features required by their customer base (believe me they know their customers), which is largely sports / press photographers.

Personally I hate the fact that the xxd cameras have the scene modes and green square, I'm happy that P mode is auto enough for anyone I might hand a camera to and I've got mates who hate the fact their 'camera' can shoot video. I'm guessing I'm a more 'typical' photographer than you, I never want my camera to play 'tricks' I just need it to be really easy to get to the main functions.

Phil you make completely fair and reasonable points. The more I have looked into it and the more I can see it, the more I am starting to understanding why things are and are not included.

I'm going to give myself a month with this camera and if it's still too much for me I will move it on. I will probably go for a 6d if I do change it, as the more research I do into features etc at the moment this seems like it would suit me better. However I think I would be letting myself down if I did not try it.

As I've already said on here (might be one of the posts which were deleted after the somewhat silly debate, especially on my part) I know it's me and not the camera that is lacking. I went out yesterday for an hour to have a go at taking photo's and came home a bit dejected. I know that in reality I was being silly to expect any camera to take decent photo's for me. As you have said before to me when I've asked for some help, I need to focus on composition and then what I want to achieve.

Thanks.

 

[Phil V]

...
As I've already said on here (might be one of the posts which were deleted after the somewhat silly debate, especially on my part) I know it's me and not the camera that is lacking. I went out yesterday for an hour to have a go at taking photo's and came home a bit dejected. I know that in reality I was being silly to expect any camera to take decent photo's for me. As you have said before to me when I've asked for some help, I need to focus on composition and then what I want to achieve.

Thanks.

I think it's a bit of a strange thing, from outside photography people think that because their cameraphone does so much for them, that my expensive cameras must obviously do so much more for me. The reality of course is the opposite, the more you pay, the less automation you are buying. My phone does hdr and instagram effects, but it'd have no chance of capturing a rally car at full chat, or a bird in flight, or shooting great pictures in a cave, etc.

I can press a few buttons on my microwave to get it to cook a roast chicken, but if I want a perfect roast, the only way to get one is learn a bit about the science that creates it. It seems ridiculous from here but a lot of people do sort of believe that a vintage strat will help them play like Jimi Hendrix, a bag full of L lenses will turn you into Joe Cornish etc.

Great Landscape photography requires;
good light, composition and an interesting landscape, whereas great sports photography requires;
good light, composition and an interesting action, and great portrait photography requires;
good light, composition and an interesting subject, but great wildlife photography requires;
good light, composition and an interesting subject

Most people never step back far enough to work out that the important bit is a common denominator no matter what you point your camera at, or what sort of camera (or lens) it is.

 

[supersammy]

I think it's a bit of a strange thing, from outside photography people think that because their cameraphone does so much for them, that my expensive cameras must obviously do so much more for me. The reality of course is the opposite, the more you pay, the less automation you are buying. My phone does hdr and instagram effects, but it'd have no chance of capturing a rally car at full chat, or a bird in flight, or shooting great pictures in a cave, etc.

I can press a few buttons on my microwave to get it to cook a roast chicken, but if I want a perfect roast, the only way to get one is learn a bit about the science that creates it. It seems ridiculous from here but a lot of people do sort of believe that a vintage strat will help them play like Jimi Hendrix, a bag full of L lenses will turn you into Joe Cornish etc.

Great Landscape photography requires;
good light, composition and an interesting landscape, whereas great sports photography requires;
good light, composition and an interesting action, and great portrait photography requires;
good light, composition and an interesting subject, but great wildlife photography requires;
good light, composition and an interesting subject

Most people never step back far enough to work out that the important bit is a common denominator no matter what you point your camera at, or what sort of camera (or lens) it is.

That makes a lot of sense. I'm lucky where I live their are plenty of places for me to go and have a go with lots of interesting things to try and take photographs of.

I was reading Mark Mullan's blog last night (after seeing a link on here), and I almost bit the bullet and ordered a load of ND filters. But I think I am going to hold off on buying anything more for the moment and concentrate on learning how the camera works, learning about how to take better photo's, and learning how to work on the photo's when on the computer.

 

[Byker28i]

Hi sammy,
So you've got good lenses, a great camera, what sort of issues are you having? I'm not sure moving to another camera would give you anything (other than cash in your pocket). It won't make it easier to take better images if you don't understand how to use it in the first place. With the 1dx, you have full frame, fast shutter speeds, fast write speeds, a fantastic focus system, the best of everything. Perhaps post some images with the issues you are having for suggestions? I know the focus system on the 5d mk3 took me a while to get used to.

As for hdr, There's a decent dynamic range on the new cameras so expose correctly and use raw and you can find there's a decent range to exploit in post processing. Most of the time though I find it a little to extreme. Have you looked at the contrast masking tutorial in the editing section on here?

 

[seriousrikk]

I know that in reality I was being silly to expect any camera to take decent photo's for me.

Right there, you have learned the most important thing in photography.

The camera is a tool, the photographer makes the picture.

I won't delve into why you may have purchased a 1Dx, seems that has already been covered. But I think what you may have missed is doing some needs based research when spending a lot of cash. You would likely have come back realising the 5DIII is probably the better tool for you

It may not be able to trigger a flash remotely (it doesn't have a pop up flash, the 7D does...) but you can use an IR remote and you get the video features you want.

But, you will still need to learn how to take a good photo, as you now appreciate the camera cannot do that for you