AUto Exposure Bracketing for HDR

Hi all new to this so please forgive if a little rough around the edges
Recently got the d3100 . A fantastic starter BUT.
My fault I didn't do the research and now find no AEB to aid my passion of HDR
Have mailed Nikon about the possibility of a
Firmware update that would give us this feature the reaction wasn't all that positive but was not dismissed
Maybe a possibility
My reason for this post is for all D3100 owners who are interested in HDR to e mail Nikon to lobby for
an upgrade I am sure it's feasible

You don't need AEB to do HDR. Just roll the command dial to change shutter 3 clicks in either direction to give 1 stop difference.

Thanx for reply Fast there are prob a few ways to do it
but all involve messing with the camera giving the possibility of movement
Frustrating

I don't want to be a party-breaker here, but I must say, I would not have great expectations in terms of inducing Nikon to upgrade D3100 with aforementioned firmware, if I were in your shoes. The thing is: all (camera) producers tend to "tailor" their production in the way that the specific model suits the needs of a specific "type" of customer/user/owner. Thus, if the (camera) model is designed to belong with "the highest pro level", such as, in case of Nikon, D4 or DF, it will probably be equipped with all modes of shooting you can think of. To the contrary, the model deemed to be an "entry level DSLR camera" will be "stripped" of some shooting modes and of some performances, but will be better equipped with "help messages", for example. That way, the producers achieve two goals: 1. "saving" inexperienced users from mistaking (focusing them to "basic modes"), 2. "encouraging" users (once they become "full fledged" photographers) to switch over (meaning: $$$) to more sophisticated models.


But, of course, I wish you a good luck, and a Happy New Year!

The other thing to keep in mind is you really should be using a tripod when doing HDR thus eliminating camera movement. And DraganDL, well said.

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Thanks

They are not going to upgrade an older camera to do this. They want you to move up the the models that have the functions you want.

This is exactly why I traded my D3100 and upgraded to a D5100, auto bracketing. As mentioned, Nikon is not going to change the D3100, it is crippled on purpose.

Skwaz said:

Thanx for reply Fast there are prob a few ways to do it
but all involve messing with the camera giving the possibility of movement
Frustrating

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I regularly roll the wheel for HDR images and mostly they turn out....

Skwaz said:

View attachment 65101

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At best this might serve as an idea for the folks at NikonHacker.com, if they haven't broached it already. Unfortunately, all the Customer Service rep can do is make you feel like your problem has been listened too and not immediately shut down. It's a "feature" not a "bug" and therefore has no shot at getting even remotely considered for anyone's work plan. Even "bugs" languish.

Get yourself a sturdy tripod and practice a light touch. You won't be doing handheld HDR, but it's not that hard to accomplish. And if your program has good Ghost Reduction (I recommend Nik HDR Efex Pro 2) then even the small movements will be taken care of.

Reply from Nikon
Unfortunately in this circumstance we cannot give a definitive answer. We have no information stating that
there will be a firmware update that will enable the D3100 to use auto exposure bracketing.
Although the D3100 does not have a dedicated AEB button many things are possible through the menu or
assigning this function to a FN button through firmware updates, and as such this is why we have forwarded
your suggestion as a design suggestion.
I apologise that we do not have further information on this at this time. However, I will put this forward as a
design suggestion again for you
kind regards

Well you never know I think if enough asked for it maybe the consumer can win one

Skwaz said:

Well you never know I think if enough asked for it maybe the consumer can win one

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I read the reply. I've read many replies from Nikon Customer Service, as well as other companies. Keep fighting the good fight - God loves an optimist. But given that the D3100 has already been replaced by the D3200, which is rumored to be replaced by the D3300 in the next few months, I believe Ms. Wallace was being kind.

Look, it's their bottom of the line consumer grade DSLR, and they need to differentiate it from the middle D5xxx line, so bracketing is just one of those things you'll never see. The same way that the D600/610 will never see a better focusing system. Horses for courses, do your research and buy what you need. I'd venture to guess that over 50% of D3xxx users have no idea what exposure bracketing is, and of the half that do, less than half of them think it's something they'd ever need.

I'm glad Jake is so thorough with his responses, saves a lot of typing and I can just agree in a few words

I think this reply is to give you false hope....

I can't imagine Nikon doing anything about it as they have the D3200 and probably the D3300 released in the not to distant future....

I didn't see Jakes reply but do agree totally.....And of course you get what you pay for...

Rick M said:

I'm glad Jake is so thorough with his responses, saves a lot of typing and I can just agree in a few words

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It explains why my application for employment to Reader's Digest always get rejected. LOL

Thanx guys
hope you don't think am a bit of a dick
been takin pics for more than 40 years but digital is new to me and HDR has got my imagination
just like to get perfection and think that any possibility of movement would not be good.
Have to say it's pretty cool to get guys or gals tryin to help from USA and AUS seems photography
has a family

Skwaz said:

Thanx guys
hope you don't think am a bit of a dick
been takin pics for more than 40 years but digital is new to me and HDR has got my imagination
just like to get perfection and think that any possibility of movement would not be good.
Have to say it's pretty cool to get guys or gals tryin to help from USA and AUS seems photography
has a family

Click to expand...

Believe me, if we thought your were being a "John Thomas" (member reference) we'd have called you on it. Just level-setting. We've all been promised a dream at some point. My take is that I'd rather squash someone's dream early and be called a dic... um, "John Thomas", than watch as they wait for something that has no chance of ever coming about.

Welcome to the forum, btw. This place will, more times than not, shoot you straight. Outside of me there aren't too many egos )), so pull up a stool and enjoy. More times than not if you sift through the verbosity (usually my own) you can find answers to perplexing questions, including how to work around the gear you have. Mind you, while it will often get you through current situations, it will eventually cost you money. Blame us. It's easier on the marriage. LOL

BTW, perfection is for critics and fools. It's art - at least in some form. Please yourself and those important to you. After that it's just fawning masses throwing money (or is that angry hordes trying to kill me with pennies?!).

So, like I already told you (and other colleagues said it too), you will have to obtain a more versatile camera sooner than later. Nevertheless, since it is advisable to do the HDR/LDR photos using a tripod and shooting the non-moving objects (even when doing it with a camera capable of internal processing the HDR), in the meantime practice the software HDR processing, neatly explained here: High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography in Photoshop

BackdoorHippie said:

I read the reply. I've read many replies from Nikon Customer Service, as well as other companies. Keep fighting the good fight - God loves an optimist. But given that the D3100 has already been replaced by the D3200, which is rumored to be replaced by the D3300 in the next few months, I believe Ms. Wallace was being kind.

Look, it's their bottom of the line consumer grade DSLR, and they need to differentiate it from the middle D5xxx line, so bracketing is just one of those things you'll never see. The same way that the D600/610 will never see a better focusing system. Horses for courses, do your research and buy what you need. I'd venture to guess that over 50% of D3xxx users have no idea what exposure bracketing is, and of the half that do, less than half of them think it's something they'd ever need.

Click to expand...

Rick M said:

I'm glad Jake is so thorough with his responses, saves a lot of typing and I can just agree in a few words

Click to expand...

pedroj said:

I think this reply is to give you false hope....

I can't imagine Nikon doing anything about it as they have the D3200 and probably the D3300 released in the not to distant future....

I didn't see Jakes reply but do agree totally.....And of course you get what you pay for...

Click to expand...

What they said