Bulb HDR

The Bulb HDR mode is provided as a backup to the fully functional High Dynamic Range mode. Bulb HDR can work without USB connection to the camera, and is useful for cameras that are not supported by Promote Control via USB. If your camera is supported using a USB connection, you may skip using this mode.

Bulb HDR Mode has more limitations than the fully functional High Dynamic Range mode. Due to using Bulb mode, the shortest exposure that can be used in Bulb HDR is limited depending on your camera model. In addition to that, exposure close to the shortest limit may be slightly less accurate and may vary in brightness.

Usage

1.Switch your Promote Control to the "Bulb HDR" mode.

2.Connect and enable an optional shutter cable compatible with your camera.

3.Connect an optional Bulb Ramping / Bulb HDR Assistant Kit available from Promote Systems.

4.Set your camera to Bulb exposure mode.

5.Set your camera flash synchronization mode to default setting. Any other setting, such as "rear curtain" sync, will interfere with the Bulb HDR mode.

6.Disable Mirror Lock-Up mode on your camera. Promote Control cannot ensure correct exposure timing in Bulb HDR mode with Mirror Lock-Up enabled.

7.Disable automatic focusing on your camera. You may also need to set it to Single drive mode. Quiet or Silent mode is also acceptable, if available on your camera.

8.Calibrate camera shutter close delay as described in Promote Control Setup section.

9.Follow High Dynamic Range mode recommendations for choosing the Mid Exposure and other sequence parameters. As you make your changes to the settings, Promote Control will display the resulting range of image exposures below. However, in Bulb HDR mode extra care needs to be taken. If any exposure from the Bulb HDR sequence falls out of possible range, Promote Control will display "[ Invalid Settings ]". With select cameras it may happen even if any exposure is faster than 1/5 second. This exposure time may not be suitable for daylight photography and other bright scenery. In that case ND filters may be used on your camera to darken the scene and make the resulting exposures longer.

10.Press "Start" on Promote Control and a series of images will be taken.

If Promote Control displays an error about missing Bulb HDR Assistant Cable, please verify the Bulb HDR Assistant Cable connection. It may not be fully inserted into the Promote Control sensor port.