Is there a way to do a double exposure with a digital camera the way we use to do it in the film camera days? If not, why not. I know everyone is going to tell me to do it in Photoshop, but in the architecture world, there are a lot of real simple things I could do "in camera" that would save me time on the computer later. Just to clarify, I want to shoot a picture on a tripod, close the shutter, then change some lighting and shoot again on the same image as before.

Thanks.

Mark

I don't think that any DSLR will allow double exposure. What is the point? PS gives you that ability with much more control. Google- HDR imaging.

The point is that it can not be too difficult to make a pro camera like my 1ds Mark III capable of doing it, and just trust me on this one, there are effects that are easier and better achieved when done in camera and not in PS when shooting complicated mixed lighting shots.

Mark Wieland wrote:
The point is that it can not be too difficult to make a pro camera like my 1ds Mark III capable of doing it, and just trust me on this one, there are effects that are easier and better achieved when done in camera and not in PS when shooting complicated mixed lighting shots.

I think people trust you, it's just that if there is a fairly easy option for this in post-processing, especially one that affords a much higher level of control, then why reinvent the wheel ?

bulb, flash twice.

Mark I vote for PS because it's so quick and easy, but saying that,maybe you have found a reason to invest in a film camera, even used.. very basic for this need.. but I will have to say, by the time you precess the film to see if you "got it", or even the time to get it out and do both shoots....PS would have done a great job plus you may have to go to PS on the film scan anyway.
Hold down control, click to highlight both layers,(inCS3) click auto align,
Done...
Happy New Year.. good Luck
Don

Multiple exposure option on my Nikon D200 allows up to 10.

Chalk one up for Nikon

I only now about the nikon d200, 300, & 3, which all have menu items allowing for the 'conventional' multiple exposure.

AnthonyRhoades wrote:
bulb, flash twice.
+1

Mark Wieland wrote:
...and just trust me on this one, there are effects that are easier and better achieved when done in camera and not in PS when shooting complicated mixed lighting shots.

give us an example

Mark Wieland wrote:
The point is that it can not be too difficult to make a pro camera like my 1ds Mark III capable of doing it, and just trust me on this one, there are effects that are easier and better achieved when done in camera and not in PS when shooting complicated mixed lighting shots.


I would disagree that it can be done easily. When the shutter is tripped, the camera produces a file (RAW or JPG). This is done as much by hardware as firmware. In order to create a double exposure, the camera would either need to completely change how it creates files and combine the data of two exposures into one, or somehow merge two files together after they are taken. The first would require significant hardware changes. The second would be a major software change that would add functionality that is non-existent in the current camera environment.

Nikon allows double exposure but I don't know if its in the traditional sense.

The best example is that you can actually see the finished product while you are shooting it and see if not only it is going to work, but more importantly having your client see the end product and sign off on it. As for it not being easy to do, Nikon seems to have it figured out.

Mark Wieland wrote:
The best example is that you can actually see the finished product while you are shooting it and see if not only it is going to work, but more importantly having your client see the end product and sign off on it. As for it not being easy to do, Nikon seems to have it figured out.

Finally, a real reason to switch from Canon to Nikon. Will have to look into this!

This might also be a compelling reason for you to shoot tethered. Shooting to a laptop for immediate client display/rapid comping is sort of the photographer's equivalent of a cinematographer using a video-tap to feed a director's monitor.

I always shoot tethered. There is nothing like seeing the final image on the spot.

I see on page 208 of my Nikon D3 manual it says.
Multiple exposures produce results with colors noticeably better than photographs combined in an imaging application because they make use of RAW data from the camera image sensor.

Hmm will have to try this out and see for myself.

Can you actually shoot multiple exposures tethered? And see the results of the combined exposures in real time?

This might make me convert.

<Chas>

Not to my knowledge, but that would depend on the software you tether with, not the camera. But you can be launching the images straight into Photoshop to make quick comps to check for the effect you want.

Many nikons will do multiple exposures. The D80 and D90 will do two or three. The D300. D700 and D3 will do two to nine exposures.

I went to http://www.nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Download-Center.page and downloaded a D90 and a D700 Users Manual. They tell how you do it. The exposure can be either manual or auto.

After you shoot your multiple exposure the camera will then output one NEF (RAW) file of all the exposures combined. So if you were shooting tethered it appears that nothing would be exported untill all exposures were made.

There is also an Image Overlay (most Nikons) that takes two NEF (RAW) files and overlays them (in camera) and then outputs a new NEF (RAW) file of the overlay, without altering the two original files.

BTW all of this is done in NEF (RAW), and Nikon says that this makes for better color than in post processing programs.

Sure would be nice to see some test shots from D300, D700 or D3 owners

If Nikon can do this on their low end D90, why can't Canon do this on their top-of-line 1DS MK III?

Isn't this basically about Auto Exposure Bracketing?

Cubibubi wrote:
Isn't this basically about Auto Exposure Bracketing?

No, it's about film-style multiple exposures into one file.

AEB takes multiple sequential exposures, each with a different setting, into sequential files, not a single file.

<Chas>

ah, gotcha

Some of Nikons digital SLR's have a double exposure feature, but no other manufacturers do to my knowledge