ISO setting
Nov 8, 2014 15:01:48 #
Hello again,
After years of being on the fence I finally got my first digital slr the Nikon d750, ( I had been shooting with a Mamiya 7- sample photo attached). Here's my question- I shoot wilderness photography on very remote , long backpack/climbing trips and virtually never carry a tripod. I got the vibration reduction 24-120 lens. I know that camera shake is my biggest enemy so should I up my ISO to 200 or 400 to be shooting at 1/500 or 1/1000 of a second for landscape shots. Will I notice the "extra noise" more than camera movement?? I know that this camera is supposed to be very good at higher Iso but I really have ZERO experience in this field.
Thank you
After years of being on the fence I finally got my first digital slr the Nikon d750, ( I had been shooting with a Mamiya 7- sample photo attached). Here's my question- I shoot wilderness photography on very remote , long backpack/climbing trips and virtually never carry a tripod. I got the vibration reduction 24-120 lens. I know that camera shake is my biggest enemy so should I up my ISO to 200 or 400 to be shooting at 1/500 or 1/1000 of a second for landscape shots. Will I notice the "extra noise" more than camera movement?? I know that this camera is supposed to be very good at higher Iso but I really have ZERO experience in this field.
Thank you
Nov 8, 2014 15:03:19 #
Nov 8, 2014 15:08:55 #
ISO in digital (my opinion) much different than ASA of film; new technology is impressive.
But you need to set your own standards
Shoot lots of test shots at various settings, come to your own happy place.
You have decent gear... Find the limits.
But you need to set your own standards
Shoot lots of test shots at various settings, come to your own happy place.
You have decent gear... Find the limits.
Nov 8, 2014 15:09:39 #
ISO in digital (my opinion) much different than ASA of film; new technology is impressive.
But you need to set your own standards
Shoot lots of test shots at various settings, come to your own happy place.
You have decent gear... Find the limits.
But you need to set your own standards
Shoot lots of test shots at various settings, come to your own happy place.
You have decent gear... Find the limits.
Nov 8, 2014 15:13:03 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
wilderness wrote:
Hello again, br br After years of being on the fe... (show quote)
I would recommend that you take a few shots at various ISO settings, to see for yourself exactly how your sensor reacts.
Nov 8, 2014 15:30:27 #
If you are shooting at 1/500 and above on a lens less than maybe 400mm, you probably want to turn off the VR. It can cause problems with the camera acquiring focus and gets in the way if you're doing continuous shots like for birds in flight. Use it for hand held when doing slower shutter speeds than your focal length. This is much discussed here. Also, don't use the VR on a tripod unless the lens manufacturer has a setting for tripod use.
Nov 8, 2014 15:44:32 #
Your Mamiya 7 is a 6x7cm medium-format rangefinder camera system with interchangeable lenses that takes 120 and 220 film. I am sure that you trialed a few ASA (or ISO) films to find one or two "speeds" that met your criteria for best shutter duration & aperture combinations, for your typical shooting situations. Using a full frame (24x36mm) sensor will require the same testing, only much easier. You can shoot the same subject several times from a tripod, altering the ISO & shutter duration to achieve the same exposures for each. Like having a multi-ISO roll of film.
I suggest that you set your camera to raw (for editing) + high resolution JPG (for PP review). I suspect that you will see very little noise difference between ISO 100 and ISO 200, and a bit more at ISO 400.
I suggest that you set your camera to raw (for editing) + high resolution JPG (for PP review). I suspect that you will see very little noise difference between ISO 100 and ISO 200, and a bit more at ISO 400.
Nov 8, 2014 16:09:45 #
wilderness wrote:
Hello again, br br After years of being on the fe... (show quote)
Wild, I'll start by saying that anything beyond your cameras base ISO(usually 100) will have more noise than the setting before it. It's hard to see in well lit situations but as the light gets more challenging it gets more critical. Only you can decide how much is too much.
If you are serious about your landscapes, a good tripod is a must. On a tripod movement is no longer an issue. Also for landscape most are using a wide angle lens and they are the least affected by small movements.
To be at such high speeds you must be shooting really small apertures.
With a wide angle(WA) lens, tiny apertures don't really buy you much.
Remember your triangle. I personally only go above 100(for any shooting) if I have exhausted my other two options.
But ANY movement will ruin any shot, so yes, noise is better than movement. But in landscape, neither should EVER be a problem.
As an aside, do mind your colors. In landscape, just as in people photography, the colors should stay real. Be very careful of over saturation.
Welcome to digital and good luck! ;-)
SS
Nov 8, 2014 18:04:02 #
Thanks for the feedback . Do note that when carrying 12 days worth of food and backpacking gear and rappelling off cliffs it's really not practical to carry a tripod.
Nov 8, 2014 18:27:19 #
wilderness wrote:
Hello again, br br After years of being on the fe... (show quote)
Your travels take you to some very scenic areas. Lucky you. You might try a "poor man's" (aka BackPacker's) monopod, a 6' length of rope, twine, string, etc. Tie one end to a stick, rock, etc. and place it under the toe of your shoe. Hold the other end in your camera hand and it will act in a manner similar to a monopod. You must make the rope the proper length to be tight for this to be effective. With a little practice you will be able to lower your shutter speed enough that the ISO can stay manageable. After you have stopped chuckling, give it a try.
Nov 8, 2014 18:35:14 #
wilderness wrote:
Thanks for the feedback . Do note that when carrying 12 days worth of food and backpacking gear and rappelling off cliffs it's really not practical to carry a tripod.
Wild, OK, a really SMALL tripod.
You could set up a tiny monopod with little feet.
Personally, in the good light you are showing, I can't see you even needing a tripod. So high ISO or movement should not be a problem.
There is always the string-pod with a washer to step on and a 1/4x20 bolt at top. Maybe only a 1/4 ounce.
You are in some beautiful area. I assume it's NOT July!! :lol:
SS
Nov 8, 2014 23:36:09 #
thanks- I've actually carried the string pod for the last 20 years or so. The real problem is taking the time to set it up- we tend to spend a lot of time moving.
Nov 8, 2014 23:43:45 #
Nov 9, 2014 06:15:13 #
wilderness wrote:
Hello again, br br After years of being on the fe... (show quote)
If you intend to crop, then a lower ISO is better. VR is good for handheld up to about 1/250 or slightly higher, after than it does nothing, and in fact may have a negative impact - I just posted on a similar thread some links that might be helpful.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-258507-1.html
The good thing is that you are shooting with wider angle lenses, and you might consider bringing a lightweight tripod and ball head - it will likely provide better results - but you'd have to check it out for yourself.
I like this for backpacking, but Sirui and Three legged Thing have compact, high quality support that would be suitable for wide angle to medium tele shooting.
http://www.feisol.com/0823tripodsdetails-5.html
Nov 9, 2014 06:50:01 #
Infinite Imager
Loc: California
When backpacking in the wild I carry a lightweight expandable monopod. Increases camera stability and doubles as a great walking stick. I also thought a couple of times I could use it as a club or spear, if really necessary.
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