Disappointment 6D

[GP.Masserano]

Dear friends
I bought a few days ago the EOS 6D taking advantage of a very affordable price, about 1200euro (see old post A QUESTION FOR SUPEREXPERT) and I am quite satisfied.
I just have a problem: the HDR of 6D is practically non-existent, much less effective than the HDR of my EOS 7DMKII.
I tried with different light conditions using “automatic” first, but also +1/+2 and +3 but without appreciable results: the high lights are quite good but the shadows are very dark.
The machine clicks regularly but not getting nothing comparable to what I get with the 7DMK2.
Having bought the 6D for the landscapes, it seems to me a small failure !!! :-[
I got a little better result working file 0-exposed with "lights-shadows" of PS.
Will I use everytime the tripod and shoot in manual exposing -1 1 and +1 (or more) to obtain decent results, then using the HDR feature of PS?
Also to you the same thing happened?

1° file 0 exposed
2° file HDR +/-2
3° file 0 exposed and PS "light/shadow"

 

[LSXPhotog]

Well, first of all, relying on in-camera HDR is not a good idea since it's mostly a feature for novice users and tourists. If you would really like to get the best results, use camera RAW and bracket 3, 5, or 7 shots. (This can be unlocked in the menu and is an absolute MUST-USE for any type of HDR work.) For processing, use software like Lightroom do create a "Photo Merge HDR" or use Photoshop. I used my 6D for real estate work before I got my 5D4 and using HDR was a very key feature for me. But using the in-camera feature and creating a JPEG file is a bad plan. The 7D2 certainly has a better HDR feature but, once again, relying on the camera to create the HDR always sucks.

 

[d4mike]

I have a 6D as well. The camera is always in manual and I normally manual focus as well.

If I decide to shoot an HDR I have the camera in manual, figure what f stop you want, find what the meter determines as zero for shutter speed, three clicks of the wheel one way is one stop under, three clicks the other way is zero, three clicks is one stop over. Three shots is usually good, then process in LR.

Sometimes I might go two stops under exposed if the sky is very bright and I have clouds that I want to show up or if the foreground is very dark I might go two stops over. It's cheep to take the extra shots and no rule that says you have to use them but after a while you'll just know how many you should take.

This is a three shot HDR.

 

[SUNDOG04]

Try shooting RAW and lighting up the shadows in a program like Lightroom. If that does not work, shoot different exposures in RAW and process them in a dedicated program. I have not tried in-camera HDR so cannot comment on how effective it is. I shoot everything in RAW and am very pleased with my 6D.

 

[dak723]

Yes, the in-cameras HDR mode of the 6D is pretty much useless. When needed, which is very rare, it's best to bracket 3 exposures and do the HDR in a software program. I will mention that I almost never need to use HDR with my 6D. If you expose for the highlights, you should be able to lift the shadows to get a result that is as good or better than an HDR shot. At least that is my experience with the 6D.

 

[timmy_650]

I got a few OK shots with HDR in camera but nothing I would really care to use. So the 7Dm2 is 2 years newer. So it will have a better HDR. If you want good HDR you will have to do it at home on a computer.

 

[tcmatthews]

I tried the HDR mode on the 6D once. I found it useless. However the multi bracket mode was great. To get similar capability I needed Magic Lantern on my 60D. The multi-bracket mode and Magic lantern are the only things I miss about the 6D. I figured for the few times I set out to take HDR I would just use my 7D II.

Also the only way to get really good HDR is to do it in post. There are so many more options in post.

 

[hmatthes]

I bracket often and OCCASIONALLY do HDR in LR.
If the initial exposure setting (experience for exp. comp.) is spot on, the bracket saves your bacon.
HDR only when absolutely necessary. Too much of the finest detail can be softened by HDR.

 

[GP.Masserano]

Thanks for the information.
Unfortunately I like HDR very much and I use it frequently.
The fact is that the 7DMK2 produces it "in camera" already with a good level...
The sky remain pale blue, shadows are enlightened and high lights are full of detail (with a little PS sharpening)

 

[GP.Masserano]

For example, inside churches and monuments cannot always install tripod or use special lights or techniques...
Photos: HDR EOS 7DMK2, no tripod.

 

[Frodo]

Hi GP
I am very happy with the dynamic range of my 6D. Waayy better than my 7D and better than my M3 and I suspect better than the 7DmkII, which although newer has a crop sensor.
No disrespect, but of the photos you posted, only one needs HDR treatment, that is number 7 with the inside of the roof/ceiling looking outside. All the others are amenable to single shot processing. Perhaps you like the effect, but some of the photos inside the church look very unnatural.
I agree what the others have said. 6D files do very well when positive "shadows" and negative "highlights" in Lightroom. In fact I find that images are better and sharper than HDR merged images. But sometimes dynamic range is just too much. Then you need at least -2, 0 +2 stops merged.

 

[tcmatthews]

Most of those pictures look like you can replicate them by exposing for the highlights then bringing the shadows up in post. Below ISO 800 raising the exposure by 3 stops is quite clean. At 3200 it is 1.5 to 2 stops max. If you really need more dynamic range and you need it in one shot. I would suggest Magic lantern Dual pixel RAW. It needs post processing and may lead to artifacts. But you can get shots with it that you cannot get any other way.

In both these regards it is better than the 7DII. The 7D II i is critical to get the right exposure. There is very little room compared to the 6D to push in post. Especially at 3200.

 

[jeffa4444]

Never been a fan of HDR in many cases it doesn't look natural.
God bless ND grads which I use constantly in landscape with the 6D and the 5DS. They are simple to use just meter the foreground (something close to 18% grey) and meter the highlights / sky then place the grads (I use soft, medium & hard depending on subject) at a point that doesn't show up in the shot or on an horizon.

The 6D is a brilliant landscape / travel camera Ive shot thousands of shots with and been rarely disappointed.

 

[tron]

Yes, the in-cameras HDR mode of the 6D is pretty much useless. When needed, which is very rare, it's best to bracket 3 exposures and do the HDR in a software program. I will mention that I almost never need to use HDR with my 6D. If you expose for the highlights, you should be able to lift the shadows to get a result that is as good or better than an HDR shot. At least that is my experience with the 6D.

+1, plus you can take advantage of Magic Lantern's Dual ISO feature...

 

[GP.Masserano]

Never been a fan of HDR in many cases it doesn't look natural.
God bless ND grads which I use constantly in landscape with the 6D and the 5DS. They are simple to use just meter the foreground (something close to 18% grey) and meter the highlights / sky then place the grads (I use soft, medium & hard depending on subject) at a point that doesn't show up in the shot or on an horizon.

The 6D is a brilliant landscape / travel camera Ive shot thousands of shots with and been rarely disappointed.

Yes, maybe I exaggerated and I have not explained well...
My disappointment was only due to the fact that it does not immediately obtain HDR effect on my EOS6D!
The camera is formidable and I am doing experiments to understand it better.
Thanks to your advice I understand better how:
- Use RAW,
- use the braketing +1 0 -1 (or more) in manual mode
- and work on files on my PC

I am really happy to be able to "dialog" (remote) with connoisseurs so deep of photographic technique.
Thanks again

 

[Luds34]

I've never used the built in HDR either. Everything I've heard is it's a bit gimicky.

I agree with others, those photos posted don't really look like they are in need of HDR. The 6D has pretty decent dynamic range and I've had very good results pushing shadow recovery. 2, 3 stops never an issue (assuming a good ISO to begin with).

 

[j-nord]

Lol, I had no idea anyone actually tried, let alone used in-camera HDR.

 

[chrysoberyl]

Lol, I had no idea anyone actually tried, let alone used in-camera HDR.

I did! Once. Then I took RAW shots and combined them in post processing.

 

[Ozarker]

Lol, I had no idea anyone actually tried, let alone used in-camera HDR.

Just checked... the 5D Mark III has in camera HDR.

 

[wsmith96]

The 6D has internal HDR??? I'll have to check that out.