Use or don’t use auto ISO
Jun 12, 2018 13:14:29 #
sinderone wrote:
I have generally kept auto ISO on and just over ridden it when called for. I am now wondering, however, if I should simply leave it off. To that end, I’m curious what others do.
I go back to the film era, so I shoot with fixed ISO most of the time unless I'm shooting available light in low light, then full auto to the max! 👻
Jun 12, 2018 13:35:31 #
JFCoupe
Loc: Kent, Washington
When shooting landscape/scenic images, I like to set the ISO at the lowest possible setting. However, when shooting birds, particularily Birds in flight, I typically will decide on a shutter speed and aperture and set the ISO to ISO.
Jun 12, 2018 13:54:55 #
When you are shooting with time on your side, landscapes, portraits etc. then shooting in manual, selecting aperture, shutter speed and ISO is the best way to go IMO. However, I was at an Airshow at the weekend with fast jets approaching fast from the sun across into the shade, up in the air with afterburn on. No way could I have got correct exposure in manual with letting auto ISO help me out.
Jun 12, 2018 14:39:59 #
I believe that my exposures have been much better and that I have been far less bothered by noise once I stopped shooting with auto ISO. Among other things, setting the ISO makes me think about a variety of lighting conditions. The only time I ever use it is (like several others have mentioned) in low light settings in churches or other buildings where flash and tripods, etc. are not allowed. I have gotten pretty decent photos that don't have much noise, but I have set limits on how high it can go in the camera settings. I hadn't thought about using it with birds or wildlife, but I also haven't encountered much in the way of changing lighting conditions. I will keep that option open when the occasion arises.
Jun 12, 2018 14:52:22 #
Many said that using auto ISO you get more noise. I don't think so because I would get the same noise high or low in manual. When I want an f/stop for DOF and a shutter speed to prevent camera shake the light level dictates the ISO. Manual or Auto it ends up the same. I can set a low ISO but then the image would be underexposed and I could boost the brightness in post but then the noise goes back up to the same level.
Jun 12, 2018 14:54:53 #
GED
Loc: North central Pa
sinderone wrote:
I have generally kept auto ISO on and just over ridden it when called for. I am now wondering, however, if I should simply leave it off. To that end, I’m curious what others do.
I use auto ISO regularly. When shooting a subject that you are intently focused on, trying to keep it in the frame, maintain your composition, and keeping it in focus the variable of a changing shutter speed being to low when shooting in aperture priority with constantly changing light is one less thing to worry about. Of all the bells and whistles on the newer cameras auto ISO is one feature I find very useful.
Jun 12, 2018 15:35:22 #
Coming from the film world I had a conceptual problem with ISO/ASA in that those setting were governed by the film you were using. There was fast film and slow film, loaded for different situations. There was push processing but only for special situations. In theory the ISO/ASA number should be designated by the SD or CF you are using. I,know all is different now but I still have this nagging history - I'm old but adjusting.
Jun 12, 2018 15:45:10 #
RickL wrote:
I use Manual with auto ISO when shooting active wildlife and set a maximum ISO. I use total manual for landscape or when the subject is not moving. As others have suggested, Check out Steve Perry's instructions on auto iso.
Rick
Rick
Jun 12, 2018 16:09:28 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I shoot a lot with auto ISO and A mode. I set my 24-85mm lens at f/8 or f/5.6, minimum ISO at 100 and maximum ISO at 12,800.
Ditto ... with D850/D750 and most of my lenses.
Jun 12, 2018 16:14:03 #
Jun 12, 2018 16:14:24 #
Mostly use auto ISO, but with limit set to 800, sometimes a little higher.
Jun 12, 2018 17:42:56 #
I always use auto ISO when shooting my grandkids dance recitals and other performances. I use a Sigma 70-200 2.8 lens on my Nikon D7200 and for the performances I shoot at 1/500 usually with a aperture of f5.6. This often results in an ISO of 12,600. I'm amazed at how little noise there is at this high ISO and it's usually in the background. The high shutter speed results in sharp focus on the kids and the increased dof gets more kids in focus when there are several rows dancing at once. This experience has led me to keep the camera on auto ISO all the time.
Jun 12, 2018 18:04:17 #
Get a Sony A7 Mk3 and you can shoot auto-ISO forever! It goes way up to over 200,000 and still noise free! I can see why Sony didn't bother to include a flash.
Jun 12, 2018 18:07:02 #
I use Auto ISO when I am in certain situations. For example shooting an outdoor event in bright sun with heavily shaded areas and subjects moving in and out of the sun and shade. Having to shoot in both light conditions and maintain shutter speed and desired aperture makes Auto ISO a necessity for me.
Jun 12, 2018 18:52:43 #
I use auto ISO and usually shutter priority (so my panting after reaching the top doesn't blur the photos). But I check all 3 in the viewfinder and if the ISO is too high, l'll see if I can adjust speed downwards. Mountains don't move but people do, and it's a hassle to remove them in post-processing.
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