How are you getting 9 ??? separate settings for each of normal, U1, U2 and doing 3 shots, turning dial, 3 more, turning dial, and 3 more?????
Three frames spaced 2EV apart is probably adequate for most scenes, but sometimes you need more. This method makes use of User modes U1 and U2.
After the initial setup (explained below), WHICH YOU ONLY DO ONCE, shooting an HDR is simple. You only need to make three quick adjustments to your camera before shooting:
(1) set the Mode to A
(2) set the Release mode to CH
(3) set Bracketing to 3F in 1.0 EV increments.
To set up U1 and U2 for a 9-frame bracket spaced 1 EV apart (YOU ONLY DO THIS ONCE):
* Set mode dial to A (Aperture priority)
* Set Shutter release mode = CH (continuous high speed)
* Custom setting e6 -> Bracketing order = Under, Meter, Over
* ISO = Auto
* Bracketing = 3F in 1.0 EV increments
* turn the Exposure comp dial to -3 EV
* Setup Menu -> Save user settings -> U1
* turn the Exposure comp dial to +3EV
* Setup Menu -> Save user settings -> U2
You are done setting up U1 and U2. Be sure to set Exposure comp dial back to 0 EV, set bracketing to 0F, and set the Shutter release mode to whatever you normally keep it at.
Now say you stumble on a scene that calls for HDR.
(1) Set the Mode to A
(2) set Bracketing to 3F in 1.0 EV increments
(3) set the release mode to CH.
Now press the shutter release button three times:
(1) once with Mode dial set to U1
(2) once with Mode dial set to A
(3) once with Mode dial set to U2
This creates nine exposures in the following order (relative to normal exposure):
-4EV -3EV -2EV -1EV 0EV +1EV +2EV +3EV +4EV
After shooting, review the histograms and possibly select a subset of the nine shots, deleting others.
The procedure is similar for setting up a 5-frame bracket, and is easy to figure out once you understand the 9-frame setup.
