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ISO Auto Setting
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My camera has an ISO auto setting, which allows the camera to select the ISO itself. Does anyone use this or do you prefer to set it yourself?
Id be interested in knowing this too…
I used to use the auto setting myself, before I knew what ISO was! But now that I know I try as much as possible to set it manually – if I just can’t get it right though, I’d put it on auto.. take the shot, see what it suggests… then set it manually in and around the suggested setting.
I always set it myself, normally to the lowest setting ie ISO50 or ISO100. This will give a much “cleaner” image because as you increase the ISO, you also increase the grain / noise in your image. As you increase the ISO, you will also get a higher shutter speed (which is very useful for me when shooting motorbikes in poor light) but when using a tripod, there is no benefit.
Take a few shots of the same view, each at different ISO settings and you will see what I mean.
Hope that helps. :D
Steven
I would avoid auto ISO like the plague, especially on cameras where the ISO is not displayed in the viewfinder (i.e. the Nikon D70)
By letting the camera adjust ISO automatically, you have no idea as to what ISO is being chosen and the final image can and usually does suffer. The higher the ISO, the higher the noise. I understand that some situations require faster lenses and/or higher ISO’s but in these cases, I’d rather make the decision myself before taking the shot, than letting the camera do it and discover the shot is destroyed with noise when I download the images to the PC.
The only useful application I can think of is if you shoot sports where the shutter speed is the most important parameter. If you turn on auto iso and select your shutter speed in ‘S’ mode then you dont have to worry about adjusting it yourself if the light levels decrease.
Other than that I’d avoid it.
Taking off the Auto ISO would be most peoples first step on the road to Manual
Hi Paperdoll,
Like all of the “Whatever” functions on a camera, they all have use in a certain circumstance. As Fintan says, to gain mastery of your chosen art-form, Auto ISO is best switched off. Probably followed by exposure setting (shutter/aperture), If you shoot jpgs, then colour balance (easier done in RAW), sharening, contrast etc etc.
Once you have switched (if you haven’t already) to manual exposure, you will have more creative choices available to you, especially when paired with a flash.
ISO:
As the number gets higher, you usually lose a bit of dynamic range; you gain noise (which may be a good thing in certain circumstances), the colours can get a bit blotchy. Some cameras will apply an automatic noise reduction system which will lose you some resolution.
Si
I always use the camera in manual mode, however I just came across this particular setting in the menu the other day. I have a habit of forgetting to change the ISO :oops: , so I thought this might be a fail-safe if you like :D .
I guess I’ll just have to try and remember to change it myself :lol:Thanks for the advice all :D
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