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Re: G16 hand-held HDR
Henry Richardson wrote:
The G16 has a hand-held HDR mode. It takes 3 quick exposures and then aligns and combines them in camera creating a jpeg. Unfortunately, it doesn't work in raw mode. My previous G15 had the HDR mode, but you needed to use a tripod. I never used it on the G15, but with the G16 I sometimes do use it. Most of the time the result is pretty natural looking and not over-the-top HDR. Then, of course, I can tweak it some more on the computer, if I want. I have found that usually an HDR jpeg is better than a single raw when the DR is too wide. Only for still subjects, of course. If you shoot jpegs this can come in handy for you.
Unfortunately, the HDR mode does not allow you to adjust contrast, sharpness, saturation, and noise reduction. In addition, you can't adjust white balance since it only uses auto wb. There are a few times when I have found some strange inconsistencies in the Canon functions and the strange limitations with the HDR mode is one of them. Oh, and it also ignores the AF setting.
The G16 HDR mode is sort of like the green full AUTO mode since it makes all the decisions for you. One thing different than the green AUTO mode though is that exposure compensation still works, but in green AUTO mode it doesn't.
Jpeg only is fine for HDR as long as you have control over the output. But like you pointed out, you don't have much if any control. For raw... thats harder for Canon because of the cropping done to align the images- but nowhere near impossible.
A raw file cropped to 10mp (35mm equivalent for example) would be JUST FINE BY ME. Ricoh has cropped Raw files for their 35/47mm focal lengths in the GR which is something Canon should do at the least. Raw would make HDR MUCH more powerful and useful even at 10mp.
Sometimes I think Camera makers purposely ignore putting features in cameras that are useful to leave them room for 'future additions/advancements' in new models. And that kind of peeves me off to be honest.
Ricoh's GR could use a 3 shot HDR 35mm equivalent mode too, but at least has a multi exposure shot mode at 28mm you can use on a tripod, available in raw. So there's that at least.
Carl
http://www.photographic-central.blogspot.com (Gear Reviews)
http://www.carlgarrard.blogspot.com/ (Best Photographs Compilation)