Canon 5D Mark III Experience

Bracketing Sequence

This setting determines the sequence of exposures when using Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) or White Balance Bracketing. (Remember that the 5D Mk III can bracket either 2, 3, 5, or 7 shots, not just the traditional 3 shots - number to be set with the next menu item). The bracketing sequence setting depends how you like to order your bracketing, and this may be important to you if you do a lot of HDR work. Setting “0 - +” means the “correct” exposure is taken first, then the darker exposure(s) (under exposed), then the lighter exposure(s) (over exposed), with “correct” meaning what the camera thinks is the proper exposure. Setting “- 0 +” means the order is darker, normal, lighter. Setting “+ 0 -” means the order is over exposed (lighter), normal, under exposed (darker). I prefer setting “0 - +” but an HDR shooter and their software may prefer setting “- 0 +”. This also affects the bracketing sequence for white balance (WB) bracketing so determine what sequence you want if you make use of WB bracketing. recommend: the first setting for general use, the second setting for HDR shooters.

Number of Bracketed Shots

This is to set the number of shots that are taken in an Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) sequence or a White Balance (WB) bracketing sequence. The number you choose is obviously the number of shots that will be taken: 3, 2, 5, or 7. General bracketing is typically 3 shots, but those shooting for HDR work will want to take advantage of 5 or 7 shots. recommend: varies by user

Safety Shift

This option, Safety Shift, allows your camera to change an exposure setting without your expressed permission when it is vital to getting the shot. This is a good thing in certain situations, such as when shooting at a concert and the lighting and lighting- levels are changing erratically, or when shooting in very dim light without flash, and proper exposure may not occur based on your current aperture or shutter speed settings. It only functions in Tv, Av, or P Shooting Modes, based on the following options:

Tv/Av: Shutter Speed/ Aperture will automatically change the mode’s setting in order to obtain the proper exposure, meaning that in Shutter Priority (Tv) mode it will change the shutter speed setting, and in Aperture Priority (Av) mode it will change the aperture setting. So consider which variable you would want changed, and which one you wish to “hold” when deciding on a shooting mode. You may wish to work in the other shooting mode than you usually do so that you can hold your desired (aperture or shutter speed) setting.

ISO: ISO Speed will work in Av, Tv, and P modes. In order to obtain the proper exposure, the camera will change the ISO speed. This may be the more desirable setting, since the low light capability of the 5D Mk III is exceptional even at very high ISO settings, and that way you can allow the camera to adjust

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