Automatic Exposure Bracketing on the D3100?

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fotofanish

New member
After viewing a few tutorials on HDR processing (or should that be tone-mapping?), I thought my 3100 might be natively configured to take an automatic bracket of three shots with different exposures, but it turns out that this can only be done manually. However, it seems that this capability, or lack of, is really only due to Nikon's programming of the camera's firmware. In other words, if the firmware was rewritten to include AEB, or automatic exposure bracketing, the D3100 could do this. Is this correct?
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
fotofanish said:
However, it seems that this capability, or lack of, is really only due to Nikon's programming of the camera's firmware. In other words, if the firmware was rewritten to include AEB, or automatic exposure bracketing, the D3100 could do this. Is this correct?
Click to expand...

I am afraid we might never know the answer to that question
The features tent to go up the higher you get with Nikon. My D7000 will only do a 3 shot bracket but my D7100 will do a 5 shot bracket. You need to just go ahead and upgrade to the D7100
 
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Blacktop

Senior Member
Don Kuykendall said:
I am afraid we might never know the answer to that question
The features tent to go up the higher you get with Nikon. My D7000 will only do a 3 shot bracket but my D7100 will do a 5 shot bracket. You need to just go ahead and upgrade to the D7100
Click to expand...

Does the 5xxx series not do AB? I agree though. If you're going to upgrade, because of that you may as well go 7100. For the cost of a refurb 7100 you just can't go wrong.
 
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fotofanish

New member
Seems to be a lot of talk on the net about hacking (modifying) firmware. One apparently successful hack for the 3100 offers longer videos. Personally, I wouldn't be game to try it, even if someone produced a hack to put AEB capability into my 3100. I know enough about computers to be aware how thoroughly you can screw up an expensive motherboard with a bungled firmware update.

So a manual bracket is the only way to go with a D3100? (Yeah, I'd love to upgrade to something better but paucity of dosh is the obstacle)

In which case, I guess I'd use a tripod and manually adjust the exposure between 3 (or 5 or whatever) shots? Wouldn't there then be a good chance of slightly shifting the camera's position with each adjustment?
 
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Blacktop

Senior Member
fotofanish said:
Seems to be a lot of talk on the net about hacking (modifying) firmware. One apparently successful hack for the 3100 offers longer videos. Personally, I wouldn't be game to try it, even if someone produced a hack to put AEB capability into my 3100. I know enough about computers to be aware how thoroughly you can screw up an expensive motherboard with a bungled firmware update.

So a manual bracket is the only way to go with a D3100? (Yeah, I'd love to upgrade to something better but paucity of dosh is the obstacle)

In which case, I guess I'd use a tripod and manually adjust the exposure between 3 (or 5 or whatever) shots? Wouldn't there then be a good chance of slightly shifting the camera's position with each adjustment?
Click to expand...

I have done bracketing with the D3100 handheld with good results. (tripod is much better however). The trick is to remember where you put the focus point in the first shot, and replicate it in the following series of shots.
If I shoot a building, I would find an intersecting point, and use it as a focus point.

Also if you're going to do this manually, then you need a good HDR program with really good ghost reduction. One of the reasons I use Photomatix even though I also have Nik Tools HDR Efex Pro.
Photomatix's ghost reduction is top notch in my opinion.
 
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Shane

New member
Blacktop said:
I have done bracketing with the D3100 handheld with good results. (tripod is much better however). The trick is to remember where you put the focus point in the first shot, and replicate it in the following series of shots.
If I shoot a building, I would find an intersecting point, and use it as a focus point.

Also if you're going to do this manually, then you need a good HDR program with really good ghost reduction. One of the reasons I use Photomatix even though I also have Nik Tools HDR Efex Pro.
Photomatix's ghost reduction is top notch in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Please help me how do i braket with the D3100? how do i know which 3 different expoures to set it on?
 
Clovishound

Clovishound

Senior Member
The easiest way, IMO, is to use manual then run either the shutter speed, or the Fstop up and down. Alternately, you could use the exposure compensation button to add and subtract exposure regardless of what exposure mode you are in.

If you are asking how much to bracket, that is up to you and your situation. I normally bracket in 1 stop increments, and normally I shoot at least 5 shots, one at meter value, two under at one stop increments, and two over at one stop increments. With digital I see no reason to use less than full stop due to the dynamic range of modern digital sensors. I have no experience with the D3100, but assume that while it is an older sensor, it has relatively similar dynamic range to the current crop of half frame sensors.

If you only want to do a 3 shot string, you might want to increase to a stop and a half, or more. Experiment a little and you will likely find the right combo.
 
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Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Welcome aboard Shane, enjoy the ride. We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

You might also want to consider introducing yourself on New Member Introductions.

Someone will be along shortly to help you out.
 
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