Silverman Loc: Michigan

As I have the Nikon D3300, I want feedback on those who have used this Camera with High Auto ISO, Experience, opinions, results, PLEASE.
Thank you in advance for your UHH answers.

Nikonman44

3300 is a good camera and the extent to which the high end auto iso works to its capability is very good.

No matter how good the camera you also need to keep in mind there are other factors that can and will effect the outcome.

F stop, light, subject and shutter speed.

Good luck and trial and error before you take the magical foto is always good advise.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I do not use a D3300, but have been using AutoISO with high end Nikon DSLRs since the D3 came out (it was available in the D2X but was not very useful). I can explain exactly what you need to know!

First, do not use AutoISO along with any of the auto exposure modes. It works great with MANUAL exposure mode, but is of little value with any other mode and will be erratic and confusing.

That said the useful value to know is the ISO at which the camera gets 6.5 fstops of useful dynamic range. With the D3300 that is at ISO 1964. At that ISO if you perfectly nail exposure the image will appear to be noise free. Note the D3300 at ISO 100 gets about 10 fstops of dynamic range and you get a noise free image even if your exposure is off by 3-1/2 fstops. As the ISO goes up the dynamic range goes down and you have less room for exposure error.

What that boils down to is AutoISO can max out at ISO 2000 to get good images. The problem is that you won't know if it is maxed out! The solution is to set the max at say ISO 3200. If AutoISO uses that value you know the image is going to be under exposed, though you can't tell by how much.

Note that being under exposed is not the end of the world, it just means there will be noise. How much you can tolerate depends on what you are doing and whatever noise reduction software you have. You might find ISO 6400 useful despite the higher noise, and if so set the AutoISO max to 8000.

Give it a try and then you can ask specific questions.

Silverman Loc: Michigan

Thanks, I realize I will need to experiment with Auto ISO to find the D3300 limitations. But I have read someplace, maybe here at UHH, that Auto ISO will work well with Aperture Priority, again I must practice and see for myself what Auto ISO performs on my D3300.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Virtually all cameras let you raise the ISO to levels that were unheard of a few years ago. If you have to get a shot in dim light, raise the ISO or lose the shot. It's that simple. "Yeah, I could have gotten a great shot of that black cat in the coal bin, but I didn't want to raise the ISO." Either accept the noise or deal with it in post. There's lots of good noise software.

http://www.topazlabs.com/denoise
http://www.lightstalking.com/noise-in-your-images-use-these-easy-strategies-to-improve-your-noisy-photographs
https://photographylife.com/photo-noise-reduction-tutorial

The Villages Loc: The Villages, Florida

Apaflo: I always read with interest your responses to questions raised. Very knowledgeable.

2 questions on responding to the above.

(1) what is it that you feel would not allow Auto ISO to act properly if used in a mode other than Manual?

(2) You mention an underexposure if set at 3200. I would think that might result in overexposure.

Still learning, so would appreciate your feedback.

Jim Bob

Expect noise and reduced dynamic range. But only you can judge if those are acceptable to you.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Yes, you can use Auto ISO with Aperture Priority mode. However, under Aperture Priority mode, as you close down the aperture, your D3300 will keep slowing down the shutter speed to the point where any slight movement (camera or subject) will result in blur. The remedy, is to set a minimum shutter speed which is a menu item. I set my D5500 at a minimum 1/60th of a second in the auto modes and as I keep closing down the aperture, the camera will automatically start increasing the ISO instead of slowing down the shutter, once it hits that speed. This was indeed described in a UHH posting and I am forever in the debt of the Hogger who turned me on to that trick.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Two competing auto systems make it impossible to predict which is doing what. The erratic results will be very confusing and frustrating.

With Manual exposure mode and AutoISO it is easy to control. You set both the aperture and shutter speed for the desired artistic effect and let the ISO float to make that amount of exposure correct. But you need to monitor what the ISO is set to.

The problem is how to easily spot when the ISO is set at the upper limit but still produces an under exposed image. The AutoISO system will stop at the upper limit you set even of there is literally no light at all.

The trick is to set the upper limit higher than what you find acceptable and then monitor what AutoISO does. An ISO at the limit is an alert that the exposure is out of range. For example if your actual desired maximum is ISO 6400 but you set the limit at ISO 8000 that means any auto value up to ISO 6400 will be okay, but if it registers at ISO 8000 you know the image is underexposed (but you can't tell by how much as no light at all would show ISO 8000).

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Question 1... I am not a Nikon shooter but would say that in manual the Shutter and Aperture are fixed and only ISO can be changed automatically I presume. In the other Shutter or Aperture mode the ISO and the other variable can be changed so there is more variability....

Question 2... You can have over or underexposure at any ISO depending on the conditions you are shooting.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

And much less predictability, which is the real problem.


But that is true for all exposure modes, and is easily controlled using Exposure Compensation.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I have not used the D3300. I use the D7000 often although not necessarily for low light photography.
In my humble opinion and with good light raising the ISO speed of the sensor does not make a big difference when it comes to noise. In low light I try to limit my shooting to ISO 1600, not that you are going to find me shooting in low light often. Noise control has improved considerably with the new cameras but why not playing it safe.
That is the way I feel and shoot. Others will have a different opinion.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

It is not going to change in the Shutter or Aperture priority mode unless the metering changes it or the photographer changes the aperture or the shutter. So the ISO can float based on what the meter sees and if the photographer goes with the camera settings the camera selects or overrides them.

I am not sure you understand how EC works. It adjusts the shutter speed or the aperture up or down depending on whether you are adding EC or removing EC. That is no different than shooting manual and setting them in my experience.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The D3300 is the best of Nikon's entry-level cameras. Better than the D3400, IMO.

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

What is the subject you are trying to shoot?

Depending on what you are shooting I would limit it to 1600 for acceptible results, but
those seem to be noisy but fixable. 3200 if you really need the shot more than
the quality.

Are you setting your max ISO in Auto?