Nikon D7000 - Missing Bracketed Shots

[perspic]

I am trying to bracket my shots and set the option e5 (auto bracketing set) to EV only and then chose to bracket for 3 shots with 2 f stop difference (using the BKT button and main and sub command dials). But when I shoot, I am getting only one image not 3.

I tried manual and Aperture priority mode, raw only and all other combinations but it is bewildering why I get only one image after bracketing (which is either -2 or +2 only) not three as it is supposed to be. What am I missing here?

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Problem solved! Nikons need the user to take the desired number of bracketed shots manually - enabling CL or CH (better) in quick succession with each one compensated for EV as per the setting. I assumed that it requires just one shot and the camera will do the rest (this happens in Sony) but it doesn't work that way with a Nikon.

[Mike Buckley]

Welcome to CiC, perspic!

This is a point the manual does not explain in its section about bracketing and I'm actually not sure it's explained anywhere in the manual. If your shutter release mode is Single, you will need to press the shutter release three times to get all three bracketed shots. If your shutter release mode is Continuous Low or Continuous High, simply hold down the shutter release until all three shots are automatically made. At least that's what I remember, so be sure to test it and verify that I've got that right.

It will be very helpful if you would please edit your profile to display two details on the left side of each post -- your real name (at least your first name if you don't want to display your full name) and your location.

[pnodrog]

I am an avid nikon user and I must confess I have always found it bizarre that nikon cameras do not default to taking all the bracketed shots on a single press of the shutter button regardless of it's setting.

[Black Pearl]

I am an avid nikon user and I must confess I have always found it bizarre that nikon cameras do not default to taking all the bracketed shots on a single press of the shutter button regardless of it's setting.

They do - if you set the camera to CL or CH you just hold down the shutter release and they fire off the required number of shots. On mine you get 3/5/7/9 depending on what you set with the rear dial. If on the other hand you want to let the camera settle between shots and have potentially sharper images you set it to S and take the shots as and when you want them. Personally I feel its the most logical system.

[royphot]

My D300 does.
I use the "Fn" button to set the variables for Bracketing. Then if I hold that button down while holding down the shutter release the required number of shots will be taken. This works even when the camera is set to single shot.
If only the shutter release is pressed, it will take single shots, and I need to count the number of bracketed shots required. Get that count wrong and things really get messed up.
I think the user manual does describe this function, but don't ask me which page.
Roy

[pnodrog]

They do - if you set the camera to CL or CH you just hold down the shutter release and they fire off the required number of shots. On mine you get 3/5/7/9 depending on what you set with the rear dial. If on the other hand you want to let the camera settle between shots and have potentially sharper images you set it to S and take the shots as and when you want them. Personally I feel its the most logical system.

Yes I am aware it works in CL or CH mode but I do mainly landscape photography in S mode. I suppose I should set the CL mode to the lowest frame rate and use that, but intuitively what is expected is a burst of bracketed exposures in S mode.

[Ndukes]

Totally agree. It should be a simple matter of selecting the number of frames to bracket and the firmware should expose the required burst on a single touch without having to change from 'S'.

Nikon, are you listening?

[Black Pearl]

Sorry but I totally disagree.

I shoot mostly landscapes and when I need to bracket the exposures I want to do so with me in control and not have to fight off an over excited camera. I'd far rather the camera settled between each shot to gain the sharpest possible result than have it flapping its mirror around.

[pnodrog]

Sorry but I totally disagree.

I shoot mostly landscapes and when I need to bracket the exposures I want to do so with me in control and not have to fight off an over excited camera. I'd far rather the camera settled between each shot to gain the sharpest possible result than have it flapping its mirror around.

Logically the mirror would not return until the bracketing was complete. Personally I hardly ever need to bracket now and when I do I tend to take the individual shots with manual exposure adjustments between shots.

However the option and possibly even the default should be for the bracketing to be an automatic sequence of exposures in S mode maybe with a further option of setting the delay between shots. Then we should both be happy.

If a camera is so over excited with the mirror flapping around why even offer high frame rates...

[Ndukes]

Sorry but I totally disagree.

I shoot mostly landscapes and when I need to bracket the exposures I want to do so with me in control and not have to fight off an over excited camera. I'd far rather the camera settled between each shot to gain the sharpest possible result than have it flapping its mirror around.

Yes, I take your point and agree. And it is probably especially true when using a tripod. But it would be nice to have the option.

Ibarionex Perello in his book 'Chasing the Light' says that the second and subsequent exposures in burst mode are more likely to be sharper than the first. He apparently uses this method all the time presumably for hand held shooting. I'm not sure I agree with him and have never felt the need to test his theory.

[Mike Buckley]

I'd far rather the camera settled between each shot to gain the sharpest possible result than have it flapping its mirror around.

If you're concerned about that, you would or at least should be using a tripod and a remote shutter release [EDIT: though the remote release will work only in Single release mode at least on my camera]. You could then use Live View if your camera has it. In that case, the mirror will always be up and not flapping around.

[Mike Buckley]

bracketing...with a further option of setting the delay between shots.

My Nikon D7000 has that capability. Simply combine bracketing and the Interval Timer. However, as mentioned in my previous post, if the concern is the movement of the mirror, you would solve that problem by using a tripod, a remote shutter release, Live View and bracketing with no need for the Interval Timer.

[perspic]

Welcome to CiC, perspic!

This is a point the manual does not explain in its section about bracketing and I'm actually not sure it's explained anywhere in the manual. If your shutter release mode is Single, you will need to press the shutter release three times to get all three bracketed shots. If your shutter release mode is Continuous Low or Continuous High, simply hold down the shutter release until all three shots are automatically made. At least that's what I remember, so be sure to test it and verify that I've got that right.

It will be very helpful if you would please edit your profile to display two details on the left side of each post -- your real name (at least your first name if you don't want to display your full name) and your location.

I agree, the manual doesn't explain this. Profile updated. Thanks.

[perspic]

I am an avid nikon user and I must confess I have always found it bizarre that nikon cameras do not default to taking all the bracketed shots on a single press of the shutter button regardless of it's setting.

I am with you - isn't it kind of counter intuitive that you got to press the shutter repeatedly to get the bracketed shot? The scene might change - anything could happen between the clicks. Sony got this figured out it appears.

[perspic]

They do - if you set the camera to CL or CH you just hold down the shutter release and they fire off the required number of shots. On mine you get 3/5/7/9 depending on what you set with the rear dial. If on the other hand you want to let the camera settle between shots and have potentially sharper images you set it to S and take the shots as and when you want them. Personally I feel its the most logical system.

If you experience the alternate system where you need to click once to get the required number of bracketed shots, Nikon's system won't appear logical anymore.

[perspic]

Totally agree. It should be a simple matter of selecting the number of frames to bracket and the firmware should expose the required burst on a single touch without having to change from 'S'.

Nikon, are you listening?

I guess Nikon will after mirror-less cameras flood the market. You must have heard about compact, full frame 40 MP mirror less magic from Sony 7R?

[Black Pearl]

If you experience the alternate system where you need to click once to get the required number of bracketed shots, Nikon's system won't appear logical anymore.

My Pentax system does as you want and I still prefer the way Nikon has it setup.
In single shot mode it gives you a single shot - in continuous you get a sequence of images. I honestly think its the most logical way of the camera working.

[Black Pearl]

If you're concerned about that, you would or at least should be using a tripod and a remote shutter release [EDIT: though the remote release will work only in Single release mode at least on my camera]. You could then use Live View if your camera has it. In that case, the mirror will always be up and not flapping around.

You should be using a tripod and a remote/delayed release for a bracketed sequence regardless but I agree (and do it) its handy to have a quick squirt of files when hand holding. If I'm using a tripod I have it set to S and trigger the shots one at a time - if I'm hand holding I have it set to CH and let the camera rip through them in a fraction of a second. Again I feel this is a logical way for it to function. As to using Live View it will depend on the way your individual camera is programmed to operate. In LV mine drops the mirror, resets the shutter, lifts the mirror again and take the shot when so its no advantage, could be either that its an older model but also that I have the option of two types of LV depending on which focus system I want to use.

[Mike Buckley]

As to using Live View it will depend on the way your individual camera is programmed to operate. In LV mine drops the mirror, resets the shutter, lifts the mirror again and take the shot

That's an interesting point. I've always read that Live View leaves the mirror up but that might be incorrect information for my camera. I couldn't find any clarification about that in my camera's manual, so it might not operate as I thought.

[pnodrog]

My Nikon D7000 has that capability. Simply combine bracketing and the Interval Timer. However, as mentioned in my previous post, if the concern is the movement of the mirror, you would solve that problem by using a tripod, a remote shutter release, Live View and bracketing with no need for the Interval Timer.

Yes, I was aware when I wrote about an inter shot delay that my D800 should be able to do it using the interval timer. It certainly not an answer to my gripe. I believe all equipment (not only photographic) should operate and have default user interfaces and controls that are intuitive and any special requirements such as setting a delay between shots be a secondary option.

There are enough people I am aware of that have made the same mistake to indicate the current method needs a revision.

Of course to add to the confusion if you are unaware of how it operates (or can't count...) you are left with shots that will have the exposure offset.