HDR Instructions - Nikon D5100 Settings (How To Use High-Dynamic-Range)

Nikon D5100 DSLR cameras have HDR (High-Dynamic-Range) functionality built-in and ready to use. How to set this up is easy, but not very intuitive. After I cycled through the dial on the top I decided to read the frickin' manual and figure it out. Turns out there are a few things that affect your ability to take HDR photographs on the Nikon D5100, and the settings must be just right or you won't have the menu item enabled.

Specifically You Must Not Have These Functions Enabled:

1. Bracketing.
2. RAW data images. You MUST shoot JPG files - whether Fine, Norm, or Basic. If you choose RAW or RAW+F, RAW+N, etc, you will not be able to reach the HDR menu - it will be grayed out.
3. Any of the easy dial choices on the top right dial except M (Manual shutter and aperture), A (Aperture priority), S (Shutter priority), or P (Program). You must have your dial set on one of these 4 options. The others will cancel the HDR menu item and you won't be able to choose it.

When you shoot HDR mode, the camera will take two images of different exposure levels and it will merge them to automatically create your HDR image. You MUST set the HDR to "ON" each time you want to take an HDR image. Kind of dumb, right?

The additional settings within HDR mode are, in my experience, very similar to each other. I noticed very little difference between any of the images taken with different settings. It might even be best to let the camera choose the settings by leaving it at AUTO.

If you want to know more about HDR photography, there are tutorials that help you do it in Photoshop and other graphics programs. In general, the more shots you take at different exposure levels, the greater the dynamic range of the image, and the more amazing the possibilities.

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[cncbuss]

Thanks for posting this, Pal! Same thing applies to my 5500. Makes sense when you think about it but not obvious to figure out. Cheers from Montreal, Canada!

[JoeEvansSound]

many thanks, I struggled not being able to switch it on (D5300) and you found out for me - well done that man :¬) - wow it was 10 years ago - gawd I was only 100 years old then

[arcticMonk]

wow thank you so much! I bought this camera a week ago and I can't use HDR and its crazy. now I know, LOL. thank you again.

[neto]

@Thailand Safety First I had the same problem and the manual didn't say anything about the BKT. So, when you're using BKT the HDR is impossible to come. We have to disable the BKT to take picture in HRD. I could see that when I took a picture in HDR I had to adjust again my next picture in HDR because it came out for a new picture

[fabianbrugger]

You can use de f1 button for HDR
so you d'ont have to go every time in the settings and chose HDR

[hemaleemail]

thanks  you  seem to be the only  one  able  to explain the full range of  setting  needed. Thanks again 

[OcioYtiempoLibre]

You realy helped me, big guy!! Thank you very much!!

[Stoneswood]

Thank you. I'd never have figured it out.

[jamilachowdhury]

thanx, it helped me to use the hdr option

[montsergirl]

Weird doesn’t work on my d5100 but good on my 7500. Have you ever used external flash with hdr mode?

[santiagomederossosa]

Thank's man!!! You're thee one!!

[TheYnotThat]

HELLP!!! My camera (nikon d5100) automatically shuts OFF while shooting a video. How do I set up where I can keep shooting without it turning itself off? Anyone?? Help??

[charlesjacques]

Always use JPEG as most photojournalists, do you ever miss
Kodachrome lol?

[Zelaphin]

;-; if I had known this a year ago I'd have bought this camera instead of the D3100.... PS: I'm a digital photography student, and definitely the D3100 is good but not great camera...

[christianmakkoun]

You should make a try with the button before posting this video     :)