5D MKIII and Multiple Exposure Mode

[CptZar]

Anybody has some knowledge about the Multiple Exposure Mode? Isn't that a highly customiceable blending mode, which in the end could increase the dynamic range, by blending multiple exposures into a single RAW file?  Wouldn't that be big step forward, especially in landscape photography with ND Grad's  being used frequently?

[hjulenissen]

Question is: what can this do for you that cannot be done using regular exposure bracketing and computer software?

I can see that such functions have their place for professionals in a hurry and those who shoot only jpeg.
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/cameras/Canon_5d3.html

The EOS 5D Mark III incorporates a new High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode to enable greater creative expression. The camera captures three images of a single scene at different exposures and then merges them automatically to create a single HDR image. Four additional, in-camera special picture effects (Art Standard, Art Vivid, Art Bold and Art Embossed) allow even greater creative freedom.

For photographers looking for even more creative expression, the EOS 5D Mark III also offers two multiple exposure modes: function/control priority for composed multi-exposure images and continuous shooting priority mode for multiple exposures of a moving subject. This is the first time such a feature has been available in an EOS camera, enabling photographers to combine between two and nine images in a single image in continuous shooting mode or four in function/control priority mode.

-h

[madmanchan]

The Multiple Exposure Mode is for doing things like in-camera composites.  It doesn't offer the blend mode needed to perform a HDR merge.

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

The Multiple Exposure Mode is for doing things like in-camera composites.  It doesn't offer the blend mode needed to perform a HDR merge.

Hi Eric,

While that's correct, it also has an averaging option that apparently uses up to 9 full exposures. That would allow to reduce random noise in the final Raw or JPEG file by a factor of 1.58 with 9 exposures. It would also reduce photon shot noise, but not reduce pattern noise, on the contrary, so one can only hope that that's well controlled. If that is the case then it would provide a super clean file that's very well suited for more extreme single frame tonemapping of stationary subjects.

However, we still need to see an actual implementation to judge if it was correctly implemented (it would need at least 15 bit accuracy to avoid math overflow and rounding issues). Maybe the Digic 5+ is up to the job, we'll see.

Cheers,
Bart

[Nigel Johnson]

The Multiple Exposure Mode is for doing things like in-camera composites.  It doesn't offer the blend mode needed to perform a HDR merge.

The camera offers both HDR and multiple exposure modes. Three HDR photos have been posted on the Canon Professional Network European website (for three of the four modes):

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/files/education/technical/inside_canon_eos_5d_mark_iii/02_cinc_big.jpg
Exposure setting: HDR Art Vivid

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/files/education/technical/inside_canon_eos_5d_mark_iii/06_cinc_big.jpg
Exposure setting: HDR Art Standard

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/files/education/technical/inside_canon_eos_5d_mark_iii/14_cinc_big.jpg
Exposure setting: HDR Natural

Plus three files multiple exposure files (for three of the four modes):

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/files/education/technical/inside_canon_eos_5d_mark_iii/15_cinc_big.jpg
Exposure setting: Multiple Exposure (Bright)

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/files/education/technical/inside_canon_eos_5d_mark_iii/17_cinc_big.jpg
Exposure setting: Multiple Exposure (Dark)

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/files/education/technical/inside_canon_eos_5d_mark_iii/18_cinc_big.jpg
Exposure setting: Multiple exposure

Regards
Nigel

[bill t.]

The 1DX allows one to save all the individual exposures of a multiple exposure shot, or only the result.  I suppose the 5D3 offers the same option, I hope!

There are some very objectionable artifacts in this particular shot of the autumn trees and river, which is the "Art Vivid" example...

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/files/education/technical/inside_canon_eos_5d_mark_iii/02_cinc_big.jpg

I could certainly do a lot better than that with most HDR software.  However, the "Standard" and "Normal" examples look pretty decent.