Can a digital camera create multiple-exposure images like film?
Asked 2/22/2012
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2 answers
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With film, you can make a multiple exposure by taking several shots on the same frame. Can digital cameras do the same thing? I’m interested in either:
- combining several separate shots automatically in-camera, or
- creating the effect later in post-processing.
I know a long exposure can sometimes give a similar look, but that’s more limiting and harder to compose. How is this usually done on digital cameras?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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Note that this is called multiple exposures, not incremental.
A good number of digital cameras of all sizes do this: Most Pentax DSLRs (K-5, K-7, K20D, K10D, K-r, K-x), the Pentax Q, all third generation Olympus ILCs (E-P3, E-PL3, E-PM1) plus the OM-D E-5, most mid-to-high end Nikon DSLRs (D300S, D700, D3X, D3S), the Canon 1D X, a number of Fuji ultra-zooms (like the S9000) and the Olympus ZX-1 which is the smallest camera to have this feature.
Honestly, doing this in software is extremely easy and much more flexible by using Photoshop layers (or equivalent) with various blending operators. The only time one would do it in camera is if you absolutely need to get the alignment blending exactly a certain way. This will be tedious on any camera which is not a Fuji because they are the only ones which let you undo the previous step in case it does not appear as desired.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. On digital cameras this is usually called multiple exposure mode, and many cameras include it. Community answers mention support on various Pentax DSLRs, several Nikon DSLRs, some Olympus models, the Canon 1D X, and a few Fuji cameras.
In cameras that support it, you typically choose the number of exposures in the menu, enable multiple exposure mode, then take 2 or 3 shots. The camera combines them into one image. Some models also offer options such as averaging the exposure (“auto gain”) or simply adding the exposures together.
If your camera doesn’t have this feature—or if you want more control—you can do it very easily in post-processing. Put each shot on its own layer in an editor such as Photoshop or any layer-based alternative, then lower the top layer’s opacity or use different blend modes for creative results.
In practice, software is often the more flexible approach, while in-camera multiple exposure is useful if you want the combined result straight out of camera.
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