Auto ISO
Jan 30, 2019 12:21:32 #
petego4it
Loc: NY
I like and use auto iso a lot for carry around. Reason being it's usually important to "get the shot" than have a completely organized/ideal shot. So that's my standard leave it setting. These days there's a lot one can do in post if necessary. Usually use 1/200 minimum speed because, simply put, my hands are not as steady as they used to be. And a minimal 100 base base iso with f8 so one starts with the best grain and reasonable depth and lens sharpness. Then let the camera adjust as necessary from there.
For a similar reason I often keep 3 shot bracketing on with 1/2 f-stop adjustment. The whole idea is to ensure that you get the shot! You'd be amazed how often you need several shots to get a usable one.
Obviously there are many times you have time or at least can plan well in advance for the key settings of iso, fstop and speed so auto iso and bracketing aren't needed; that's the reason you have all the other settings in a quality SLR. But to help ensure you actually do get a usable shot, auto iso is invaluable.
For a similar reason I often keep 3 shot bracketing on with 1/2 f-stop adjustment. The whole idea is to ensure that you get the shot! You'd be amazed how often you need several shots to get a usable one.
Obviously there are many times you have time or at least can plan well in advance for the key settings of iso, fstop and speed so auto iso and bracketing aren't needed; that's the reason you have all the other settings in a quality SLR. But to help ensure you actually do get a usable shot, auto iso is invaluable.
Jan 30, 2019 12:33:31 #
I use auto iso when faced with rapidly changing light conditions and it is more important to get the shot. When I am set up on a tripod, I try to keep it at 100 for landscapes. I go to 2000 for astro shots. When I handhold for wildlife shooting, I use auto iso because clouds go across the sun, the bird flies into a dark spot and then to a light spots and I can't be always fiddling with iso settings. I use 2000 handheld for indoor basketball games. I use auto iso for family shots in a relative's house or in a restaurant. In low light situations, I use 1/100 with a 50 mm at F/2.8 and set iso to auto.
Jan 30, 2019 12:43:55 #
I shoot everything you do plus more and have never in my life used Auto ISO. If it is bright outside I set my ISO at 200. If it is indoors or somewhat shady I may use ISO 400. If it is really dark then I might go to ISO 800 or 1000. That would be for somewhat still photos. I can always go higher if needed but seldom have ever gone higher than ISO 1600. I don't see the need for it, for me. Of course others will tell you different and you may subscribe to their views. In the end we all get to pick and choose what works for us.
Dennis
Dennis
Jan 30, 2019 12:46:41 #
will47 wrote:
When are good times to consider using Auto ISO. I use a 7D Mark ll and mainly do landscapes, animals, birds, and I sometimes try BIF. Thanks.
At times when the shot is more important than the noise that might occur at a higher ISO. For example, if I am shooting indoors and street, I set it to auto. When I am in bright light the camera will choose a low ISO, but when I grab a shot of something happening NOW, and the light is not so great, I will still have a high enough shutter speed to make a good shot. In such a case, I am not so concerned about the noise - just need to know that I will get that shot.
Downside: If you go out shooting landscape on a tripod, and you forget to set the ISO to the lowest you have, your camera will decide you need a high (probably the highest you have allowed) ISO, and you will get crappy landscape shots - don't ask how I know!
Jan 30, 2019 12:53:56 #
TriX wrote:
I get that you don't appreciate B&W, but have ... (show quote)
I'll reply here as briefly as possible since I unintentionally hijacked the thread thinking that my comments would be dismissed and ignored as coming from a crackpot, but yes, I did read some of his books back in the earlier days when I was much younger and much more serious, having bought a couple of large format cameras. I set up a darkroom and was pretty serious at that stage and I did bone up on the Zone System but I rarely give it a second thought with the way I shoot today with digital, mostly just wildlife, "from the hip," where I don't get to arrange the lighting, mostly. I see the Zone System pop up here with someone answering a question on occasion and feel pretty sure that a huge number of the members eyes just glaze over in even more bewilderment than provoked the question. I think it's very inconsiderate of the old pros to do that to the audience here.
Jan 30, 2019 12:54:13 #
Jan 30, 2019 13:02:06 #
Of the three "pillars" of exposure, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, I would assign relative importance to me something like 49% shutter speed, 49% aperture, and 2% ISO. There is no way I can imagine that I would sacrifice the desired shutter speed and aperture just for some pre-determined ISO setting.
Jan 30, 2019 13:04:58 #
jackm1943 wrote:
Of the three "pillars" of exposure, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, I would assign relative importance to me something like 49% shutter speed, 49% aperture, and 2% ISO. There is no way I can imagine that I would sacrifice the desired shutter speed and aperture just for some pre-determined ISO setting.
Jan 30, 2019 13:37:59 #
tenny52
Loc: San Francisco
I mostly use M mode with auto-ISO and exposure compensation +/- button.
Especially in low light shooting with a full manual flash attached; the intensity dial on my flash is compensated by how much lowering the button.
Wonder if this technique is commonly used? Please comment
Especially in low light shooting with a full manual flash attached; the intensity dial on my flash is compensated by how much lowering the button.
Wonder if this technique is commonly used? Please comment
Jan 30, 2019 13:54:52 #
I never use it as it tended to run too high on auto and I want my noise to a minimum. I would rather have the control and then can only blame myself if it is wrong.
Jan 30, 2019 14:07:08 #
will47 wrote:
When are good times to consider using Auto ISO. I use a 7D Mark ll and mainly do landscapes, animals, birds, and I sometimes try BIF. Thanks.
Up until a week ago I never used Auto ISO, however went to a museum with him and he wanted pictures of armor, swords and other weapons. Took my D7100, mounted a 35mm lens with a 1.8 fstop and decided I wanted to keep the shutter speed up to eliminate any shake. Figured out how to use Auto ISO (quite simple on the D7100, there is a button for it) and away we went.
End result was I was quite pleased with the results. Better than not taking any shots in the first place, learned something new and realize the D7100 can handle pretty high ISO setting without inducting disturbing noise into the pictures. This will not be the last time I use it, however I realize there is a time and place for its use. Some shots below (all hand held)(all PP but no noise reduction) Location Worcester Art Museum. The last one I had printed and quite pleased with the result. Printed 8X10
S 1/100 f1.8 ISO 1250
(Download)
s 1/80 iso 720 f1.8
(Download)
s 1/60 iso 2800 f3.2
(Download)
s 1/60 iso 3200 f6.3 (the friend)
(Download)
Jan 30, 2019 14:32:23 #
josquin1
Loc: Massachusetts
What is wrong with using auto ISO? When we were doing film it was auto ISO because of the film speed. I understand moving Ilford 100 to 125 but it still was one speed and we adjusted out shutter speed and aperture to the available light. If one wants to stop action or have a blurry background we set the the ISO or shutter speed and let the camera choose the ISO. And what is this 1/8000 shutter speed. I can think of nothing that can go so fast that the old top shutter speed of 1/2000 couldn't stop. Sheesh!
Jan 30, 2019 14:40:07 #
I almost always use auto ISO. Depending on the lens and what aperture you're using, set the auto ISO settings for a minimum shutter speed so you don't get too low. The only time I don't use auto is for long exposure shots or I know conditions will yield noisy results.
Jan 30, 2019 15:13:38 #
Jan 30, 2019 15:24:59 #
fjrwillie wrote:
Up until a week ago I never used Auto ISO, however... (show quote)
Nice shots... Auto ISO clearly works for you!
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