About ML... for some people here, the 'body' of the camera is only a part of their investment. Most have multiple lenses, the two kit lenses, perhaps the 'nifty fifty' and often a favourite extra lens costing $500 ~ $1000 USD. Given that there would be an uproar if ML was actually shown to have toasted a body in any way, the probability of any damage is quite remote, and likely coincidental, plus subject to 'self reporting bias' (meaning that people who had camera problems and who had pointed the finger at ML are more vocal than people who have no issues at all). Even so, I have not installed ML simply because I don't need it, and can't risk it. I really admire the authors though, and if I was richer I would definitely go for it.
I can't imagine that you need five exposures for HDR. It's possible to make that kind of image from one shot. Especially if you have the "raw'. If you have three raw shots, widely spaced, you've pretty much covered the whole dynamic range of the scene... surely!?!?
