ISO question in Macro
May 27, 2012 21:09:52 #
Got an AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm for my Nikon D5100 so I could practice some macro photography. Took these at f/11; 1/125 sec; Aperture priority mode. I had my ISO setting at 400, but the histogram shows the ISO setting at 5600 for the Coatamundi and 6400 for the Frog on a Leaf. These are some carved nuts my wife picked up in Panama. I staged them indoors, but with sunshine coming in from the left and a small table light on the right. In Aperture priority mode, should the camera adjust the ISO setting that high or have i got something mixed up?
Coatamundi
Frog on Leaf
May 27, 2012 21:56:22 #
I'm new here also and definately not an expert by any means but my opinion is if you had the camera in auto iso it will do what it thinks it needs to in order to get the right exposure. Just my quick thoughts. BTW I really like you shots. It just goes to show that there is always something to take a picture of
May 27, 2012 22:48:28 #
It has to do w/ your camera. For the d5100,you really need to adjust to a higher ISO. The rule of the thumb regarding ISO is to stick w/ the LOWEST you can go !
The higher you go,the noisier it would be.
For you to go on a lower ISO w/ your cam,you just have to provide ENOUGH LIGHTING.
The higher you go,the noisier it would be.
For you to go on a lower ISO w/ your cam,you just have to provide ENOUGH LIGHTING.
May 27, 2012 23:08:49 #
Thanks for the feedback. It was well lit (I thought) with a small table light just out of frame top right. Does macro need to be Really bright to keep the ISO low? The camera was set to ISO auto.
May 27, 2012 23:34:58 #
Check your "ISO Sensivity" setting. If it is set to "ON", the camera will overide your ISO setting within user programable parameters (while in aqperature priority mode). This is very useful when used properly. Check your user manual.
May 27, 2012 23:35:46 #
It could be averaging in all that black. It doesn't know that you only want the subject exposed properly. You will run into a similar problem with a white background.
May 27, 2012 23:38:34 #
If you set the ISO to AUTO,it would just calculate the accordingly to your available light.So if IT sets a high ISO automatically (where in you want the lowest _ALWAYS!) it SIMPLY means you don't have enough light!
Try to add MORE light and you'll see the ISO will drop as you increase it.
Remember that the only time you'll push UP your ISO is on a LOW LIGHT !
Try to add MORE light and you'll see the ISO will drop as you increase it.
Remember that the only time you'll push UP your ISO is on a LOW LIGHT !
May 28, 2012 00:39:32 #
I tried two things. I went from center- weighted metering to spot metering and that brought the ISO down to 3600. Then I used a flash and got it down to 1600. I thought it was well lit, but with all that black just needed to push even more light. Thanks!
May 28, 2012 01:26:32 #
Here's a way to look at it:
To use an ISO 100 and have your settings ( 1/125th @ f-11.0) be correct, you would have to be outside in direct midday sunlight. So, ask yourself how that compares to the light from your little desk lamp? Our eyes are so easily tricked but our camera's aren't.
Keep on trying, don't give up!
To use an ISO 100 and have your settings ( 1/125th @ f-11.0) be correct, you would have to be outside in direct midday sunlight. So, ask yourself how that compares to the light from your little desk lamp? Our eyes are so easily tricked but our camera's aren't.
Keep on trying, don't give up!
May 28, 2012 02:38:58 #
Next time you post a photo, check the box marked "(store original)", so we can appreciate detail, AND see your Exif info.
Also, you need to subscribe to the Ugly HedgeHog True Macro-Photography Forum: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html
Subscribe here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/section_list.jsp
Also, you need to subscribe to the Ugly HedgeHog True Macro-Photography Forum: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html
Subscribe here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/section_list.jsp
May 28, 2012 07:42:28 #
IMHO take off auto ISO always. stick to 100 on a tripod or hand held as long as your shutter speed doesn't drop too slow. If it does go 200 then 400. If still in doubt bracket ISO shots. Some cameras handle noise better than others so its trial and error till you find an acceptable noise level.
Also the table lamp would be better diffused. Notice funny catchlight on the left shoulder. holding tracing paper or white sheet in front of lamp will diffuse it (be careful of fire risk). Maybe move lamp further back. Keep an eye on white balance when mixing natural light with bulbs.
Also the table lamp would be better diffused. Notice funny catchlight on the left shoulder. holding tracing paper or white sheet in front of lamp will diffuse it (be careful of fire risk). Maybe move lamp further back. Keep an eye on white balance when mixing natural light with bulbs.
May 28, 2012 13:12:55 #
ISO should be kept low (100-200). This may mean longer shutter speeds. Aperture should be used to help DoF (distance to subject is also a factor for DoF). In the situation of these photos of stationary subjects, longer shutter speeds is not a problem. As for lighting you have many options, this may be a subject to study more and experiment with light and shadows.
May 28, 2012 13:28:10 #
Appreciate the feedback. I really hadn't done macro before and hadn't run into an ISO setting so high. Will definitely experiment some more. Thanks!
May 28, 2012 13:44:27 #
silver
Loc: Santa Monica Ca.
wevans410 wrote:
Got an AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm for my Nikon D5100 ... (show quote)
The answer to this is simple. Do everything in manual settings and you make the decisions not the camera.
May 28, 2012 17:34:15 #
wevans410 wrote:
Thanks for the feedback. It was well lit (I thought) with a small table light just out of frame top right. Does macro need to be Really bright to keep the ISO low? The camera was set to ISO auto.
With macro you are so close it is hard to get enough natural light. That is why a lot of people use some type ring light. Look on this site on just macro section to see the different setup some people use to get some ideas. I also shoot on manual with fast shutter and like f16 and not very high ISO maybe 100 to 400 with flash also on manual.
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