EOS 5D Mark IV: Editing in-camera HDR images

[rusty007]

I've taken some test shots on my 5D MkIV using the in-camera HDR Mode function where it takes 3 images in succession then processes them into the one JPEG image. What I can't work out is how to edit these to take advantage of the HDR function. I'm assuming you could access the range of the three images to a greater degree than normal images. I can't find reference to editing them anywhere. Any pointers?

[Waddizzle]

AFAIK, you cannot edit the source files in the camera.  You must save the source files and process them in post. 

[FloridaDrafter]

Waddizzle, I thought the same thing. But it sure will take 3 shots and combine them in a jpg. I had to test it out to make sure.

I keep my 5D IV with an EF 100mm f/2.8L macro beside my La-Z-Boy. Makes a really good magnifying glass 🤔😁🤣

Newton

[rusty007]

In retrospect title could be read two ways 'editing in-camera' or 'in-camera HDR'. Second was the intention.

[FloridaDrafter]

I shot with the 5D IV for many years and never knew it had an "Auto HDR" feature, I just never pushed that little pencil button, go figure. Anyway, I just fired it up and tried it out, plus did some reading. It appears +/- 3 EV is all you can do and are limited to 5 preset styles, if you want to call them that. You can choose to save your images or combine them, so I guess that's something. But no editing abilities unless you bring your jpg's into a post editor.

I did shoot a lot of HDR with the 5D IV, but I used Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB). You will find that in the Shooting 2 menu as "Expo.comp./AEB" menu and will have more control of your upper/lower exposure . You will have to use software to combine the images, Raw or JPeG, one of which is Canon's free to download Digital Photo Professional 4 (DPP 4). Of course, there are other software options like Adobe products. In the end, you will have more creative options than you will get letting the camera combine them for you.

Newton

[rusty007]

It looks like doing the three separate exposures, via bracketing, might be better in the long run as it gives control over to post editing software. But I'm still trying to work out how the in-camera HDR is supposed to benefit over a standard, if there is no incremental editing options, even via Canon software.

[rusty007]

I'm not asking about editing the files in-camera. I thought that would be obvious. Canon Photo Professional may have an option, but as I said, I can't find mention of it for in-camera HDR assembled images.

[p4pictures · Accepted solution]

The EOS 5D Mark IV has a menu setting that allows the camera to save the three individual frames plus the created HDR image. If your camera is set to shoot RAW then the three "source files" are RAW and the HDR file will be JPG. At the foot of the HDR menu you will find the setting to Save source images.

The JPG created by the camera is simply a JPG. As such it is limited by the usual JPG restrictions of 8-bit / channel colour and will be saved in sRGB or AdobeRGB depending on the camera colour space setting. You cannot edit this single image to change the way the three "source" frames were blended. IF you save all images you can then open the RAW or JPG source images in DPP, and use the Start HDR Compositing function from the Tools menu. This will process the files and you can adjust the way it does so.

[rusty007]

Thanks, you've nailed it. Unfortunately I didn't select 'save all images' but I did a bit of bracketing so I may be able to do a work around. These options are a bit like jigsaw puzzles in that you need to get info from different places to get the full picture but now I know for future.

[FloridaDrafter]

Thanks, Brian! Sorry I repeated some of the stuff you explained, but I was typing while you were, and I type slow, LOL!

Newton