How Use Dynamic Range Controls A6300 ?

Please, most baby talk explanation of how to use the DRO / Auto HDR settings. Not just which is recommended, but even simpler than that: how to use them.
D-R seems always "off' with no option to turn it "on?" I'm in "Manual." Is that effecting my options? Is there some setting somewhere els that I've selected that id effecting this? DRO is set to "Auto" with no option to just turn it "Off?" What are the levels "1 thru 5?"
HDR - on "Auto," no option to turn "Off?" What are the EV levels there?
Isn't HDR the one that takes a few pics and then combines? Not good for action shots?
Can't find anything - in the manual or online explaining this is rudimentary terms, ways.

That is HDR.

I found the option in the Fn menu. But I've never used either.

Turning it "on" or "off" depends on which mode you are shooting in. For example, you can activate the on/off function in the Aperture Priority mode; but, not in most other modes. See this vodeo:


As for how and when to use ot, take a look at this video:

i thought you were going to try this out?

the only one there you should worry about for your dogs is the dro (and you can switch it off by choosing D-R off which is above for some reason) and even that is optional depending on your post processing

the EV people were talking about is exposure compensation - usually on the down control of the 4 way dial.

the one in hdr is for when you take hdr images - not great for movement

.

you have to be willing to try something for yourself though

The DRO option post processes a single shot, brightening shadows and darkening highlights slightly, according to the level you set.

The HDR option takes 3 shots in quick succession, at 'normal' exposure and then a brighter and darker exposure, according to the level you select. It then overlays the three shots and gathers the detail from the brighter and darker exposure that might not be properly exposed in the 'normal' exposed shot. This second method would struggle with moving subjects in the frame. I've used it on landscapes when using old, low contrast, third party zoom lenses, with reasonable effect.

I believe neither of these modes are available when shooting Raw, only when shooting jpeg only.

Thanks, Alun. Why can't I turn it "off" when I'm in "M" Manual?

Marty Watt said:

Thanks, Alun. Why can't I turn it "off" when I'm in "M" Manual?

Click to expand...

you can - did you

1. read my post

2. try it

?

Do you mean that shooting in RAW is the only way to turn it off?

Marty Watt said:

Do you mean that shooting in RAW is the only way to turn it off?

Click to expand...

sorry but i find your posts confusing, if i hadn't seen your photos then i wouldnt actually believe you had the camera

i didn't even mention raw btw

Sorry, reply was for Alun Thomas

I'm not too sure why you wouldn't be able to turn it to 'off'. From memory the method to turn both HDR and DRO to 'off' is one menu level back from the HDR/DRO options, as per this old thread here, at least on some models, hopefully yours is the same:

Alun Thomas said:

I'm not too sure why you wouldn't be able to turn it to 'off'. From memory the method to turn both HDR and DRO to 'off' is one menu level back from the HDR/DRO options, as per this old thread here, at least on some models, hopefully yours is the same:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3717266

Click to expand...

the method to turn it off is in the post above your own one but op resists looking/trying anything

you just select the option D-R off!!!!! right above DRO level and autoHDR

in a6000 its in menu 1,4

in a6500 its in menu 1,11

in either case its in the option that mentions DRO etc so id 'guess' it will be there in a6300

(looking at a guide would help too)

.

not sure why op is asking how to switch off as the whole thing was he needed the shadows lifted so needs it ON

Thanks. Yea, this is just a side distraction at the moment. Not the primary thing (or things) I'm trying to learn - lately, that's been the various focus modes and getting quicker at getting to the various settings.
The post / thread you sent me to is what I'm talking about, and helps somewhat. It might just be a quirk of the camera menu. The poster - who then posted that they had figured it out on his own - still doesn't - far as I can tell - ever get to a situation / state in which the top of the 3 selections: D - R seems to never say "on?" Again, I'm just musing here, not my primary concern at the moment; Next one down down: DRO never seems to be "off," no arrangement can make it say "off," just auto or the various levels; bottom selection HDR - the same: never "off," only "auto," or the various levels. There might be some logic I'm missing involving there being no reason for the bottom two to ever say "off." Or for the top one to ever say "on." It just struck me as odd that, if something has and "on" possibility and/or an "auto, etc levels possibility, that there wouldn't be an "off." I was hoping to see what I would get picwise with all that shut off. I'm mostly messing with it in "M," Manual. Again, not, at all, my biggest concern.
Thanks for all the help and patience,

Marty

I'm glad you asked...

I have an a6000 (older menus?)

I also have an RX100-2 (much older menus?)

The reason I say that is that a poster on the RX100 series forums declares how to use them very well. Elliott Newcomb.

This is his index of posts related to Sony cameras. Unfortunately he is not an a6---- camera owner.

My interpretation of Dynamic Range is that the camera eliminates extremes of highs and lows to provide more shadow detail for instance. If that is right and meets your needs then I hope I helped. However, you cannot regain what the camera "cooked".

HDR does take several images and stitches them together. You're right...if something moves quickly then the images are different.

I turn on DR when I think I need it. I use a setting on my FN menu to make that easy. It's almost always off....I hope this helps. I used to shoot Kodachrome 10 a lot. That's right. ISO 10. So I learned to shoot for shadow detail a long time ago.

Marty Watt said:

in which the top of the 3 selections: D - R seems to never say "on?"

Click to expand...

There are TWO selections WITHIN the D-R menu...that top line that says D-R Off means everything turned off - no DRO and no HDR. D-R is a header or category, and DRO and HDR are the two options within that category.

Then the next two selections are your options, which can only be used one at a time. When you move the menu selection from D-R OFF to the next line down, you've engaged DRO mode - set to Auto by default. Right-clicking allows you to select from Auto, or a range of steps of intensity to apply manually.

When you move down to the next place, you enter HDR mode...also set to Auto by default. You can then select from Auto, or manually set the number of stops to span the 3 frames, from 1 to 6.

This has nothing to do with which mode you're in, other than that these settings will not function when you are shooting in only RAW. You must be in JPG mode.

Think of this selection menu as a 3-way toggle switch for various dynamic-range-control tools. Toggle 1 at the top is for 'OFF' or none, toggle 2 is for DRO, and toggle 3 for HDR.

zackiedawg said:

Marty Watt said:

in which the top of the 3 selections: D - R seems to never say "on?"

Click to expand...

There are TWO selections WITHIN the D-R menu...that top line that says D-R Off means everything turned off - no DRO and no HDR. D-R is a header or category, and DRO and HDR are the two options within that category.

Then the next two selections are your options, which can only be used one at a time. When you move the menu selection from D-R OFF to the next line down, you've engaged DRO mode - set to Auto by default. Right-clicking allows you to select from Auto, or a range of steps of intensity to apply manually.

When you move down to the next place, you enter HDR mode...also set to Auto by default. You can then select from Auto, or manually set the number of stops to span the 3 frames, from 1 to 6.

This has nothing to do with which mode you're in, other than that these settings will not function when you are shooting in only RAW. You must be in JPG mode.

Think of this selection menu as a 3-way toggle switch for various dynamic-range-control tools. Toggle 1 at the top is for 'OFF' or none, toggle 2 is for DRO, and toggle 3 for HDR.

Click to expand...

thank you for that, i was getting sick of bashing my head against the brick wall!

brilly said:

zackiedawg said:

Marty Watt said:

in which the top of the 3 selections: D - R seems to never say "on?"

Click to expand...

There are TWO selections WITHIN the D-R menu...that top line that says D-R Off means everything turned off - no DRO and no HDR. D-R is a header or category, and DRO and HDR are the two options within that category.

Then the next two selections are your options, which can only be used one at a time. When you move the menu selection from D-R OFF to the next line down, you've engaged DRO mode - set to Auto by default. Right-clicking allows you to select from Auto, or a range of steps of intensity to apply manually.

When you move down to the next place, you enter HDR mode...also set to Auto by default. You can then select from Auto, or manually set the number of stops to span the 3 frames, from 1 to 6.

This has nothing to do with which mode you're in, other than that these settings will not function when you are shooting in only RAW. You must be in JPG mode.

Think of this selection menu as a 3-way toggle switch for various dynamic-range-control tools. Toggle 1 at the top is for 'OFF' or none, toggle 2 is for DRO, and toggle 3 for HDR.

Click to expand...

thank you for that, i was getting sick of bashing my head against the brick wall!

Click to expand...

Is there ever a time or situation in which the the top of the three selections, the "DR," ever says "on?"

Alun Thomas said:

The DRO option post processes a single shot, brightening shadows and darkening highlights slightly, according to the level you set.

The HDR option takes 3 shots in quick succession, at 'normal' exposure and then a brighter and darker exposure, according to the level you select. It then overlays the three shots and gathers the detail from the brighter and darker exposure that might not be properly exposed in the 'normal' exposed shot. This second method would struggle with moving subjects in the frame. I've used it on landscapes when using old, low contrast, third party zoom lenses, with reasonable effect.

I believe neither of these modes are available when shooting Raw, only when shooting jpeg only.

Click to expand...

Actually, DRO option supports RAW.

The HDR option only supports JPEG.

But there is also another way to do HDR and this does support RAW. The camera takes the images, but in this mode, processing them is left to you.

Marty Watt said:

brilly said:

zackiedawg said:

Marty Watt said:

in which the top of the 3 selections: D - R seems to never say "on?"

Click to expand...

There are TWO selections WITHIN the D-R menu...that top line that says D-R Off means everything turned off - no DRO and no HDR. D-R is a header or category, and DRO and HDR are the two options within that category.

Then the next two selections are your options, which can only be used one at a time. When you move the menu selection from D-R OFF to the next line down, you've engaged DRO mode - set to Auto by default. Right-clicking allows you to select from Auto, or a range of steps of intensity to apply manually.

When you move down to the next place, you enter HDR mode...also set to Auto by default. You can then select from Auto, or manually set the number of st, ops to span the 3 frames, from 1 to 6.

This has nothing to do with which mode you're in, other than that these settings will not function when you are shooting in only RAW. You must be in JPG mode.

Think of this selection menu as a 3-way toggle switch for various dynamic-range-control tools. Toggle 1 at the top is for 'OFF' or none, toggle 2 is for DRO, and toggle 3 for HDR.

Click to expand...

thank you for that, i was getting sick of bashing my head against the brick wall!

Click to expand...

Is there ever a time or situation in which the the top of the three selections, the "DR," ever says "on?"

Click to expand...

The answer is : no, the "D - R" selection never says "on." It's just an odd psychological thing: if there is an "off" selection," you'd expect there to be an "on" selection, using that word: "on." Or, when either the DRO or HDR is activated: "Auto" or one of the various levels - even before pressing the center button, you'd think the "D - R" would be seen switching to "on" or something. Reading the manual doesn't make this clear. Doesn't seem like it should take so much explaining. Could have been presented better by Sony.

Thanks, zackiedawg