ISO When to?

Hey folks,

Is there a thread or a site that tells you a list of things you should know about ISO?

Like what ISO to use depending on the setting?

I learned that in dark settings i should use like ISO 1600?

Or maybe you folks can list them? Thanks alot. Sorry, still learning

Its just the basics of exposure.

There can be many different combinations that give exactly the same exposure, you just need to learn what combination to use to produce the result you want.

More experienced users will be able to give you a more detailed answer, but the basics are as follows:

Higher ISO number means more sensitivity to light. Thus, when there is little available light, you should use a higher ISO. High ISO's are also used to capture fast action (i.e. "freeze" the action), such as in sports photography.

Higher ISO= more light to the sensor = faster shutter speeds possible = smaller aperture possible = greater DoF

Higher ISO also = more 'noise'

Wider aperture = lower ISO possible = less noise = faster shutter speed possible

Wider aperture also = less DoF

Find the best combination for your shot

Whenever I can't get a shutter speed high enough for what I want I up the ISO.

e.g. if it's dark and ISO 400 is giving me 1/20 shutter speed at maximum aperture and I need, say, 1/80 to get a shake-free shot... time to up the ISO to 1600! 1/80s is mine! Bwahahaha.

Deckham mentioned the increased noise. You should always use the lowest ISO that allows the shutter speed you need, unless you want noise for a particular effect. It's really that simple.

rowdyred94 wrote in post #3946906
Deckham mentioned the increased noise. You should always use the lowest ISO that allows the shutter speed you need, unless you want noise for a particular effect. It's really that simple.

(and add DoF requirement)

I only boost the ISO only when necessary.

And the only time necessary is when I need the extra stop to use faster shutter speeds...

No rules for me. Always depends on the amount of light I am getting.

My strategy is this. First, I generally find that ISO 400 is good for indoors, and 100/200 is good for outdoors. I use these as my starting point.

I generally shoot Av mode, so depending on the DOF requirements, I set the aperture. Then I check the exposure to see what shutter speed is required.

Now if the shutter is too slow, I bump the ISO up until the SS is better.

As a last step, I take a few test shots, and use EC to get the histogram right (no blown highlights).

I know it sounds like lots of steps... but it only takes a few seconds with practice. My point was that ISO is the 3rd item to set in the exposure triangle. Noise isn't good, but its better than motion blur or too shallow DOF.

dustyporch wrote in post #3948444
My strategy is this. First, I generally find that ISO 400 is good for indoors, and 100/200 is good for outdoors. I use these as my starting point.

I generally shoot Av mode, so depending on the DOF requirements, I set the aperture. Then I check the exposure to see what shutter speed is required.

Now if the shutter is too slow, I bump the ISO up until the SS is better.

Hehe, this is the exact same strategy that I use. I always start with 400 indoors and adjust to higher ISO as required.

Also exactly what I do - I think we're developing a theme here

This question is easy if you don't use Canon DSLRs: Use ISO 100-400 only because everything else is horrible. Of course, since you are on this site, I assume you are using a Canon, and that means all ISO's are usable. Go spend a couple of hours on this site:

http://web.canon.jp/im​aging/enjoydslr/index.​html

It is a great little tutorial on the basics of photography. Once you have gone through it once or twice, and start playing with a DSLR in your hands, it all becomes alot easier.

Similar here ... 400 or 800 (dark overcast days) as standard setting, more if needed.

ISO 3200 + 1EV underexposing + f/1.4 + 1/15 second (without IS) if it has to be to get the image.

You can always use noise correction afterwards.

Best regards,
Andy

it really does depend on the situation, but generally you want just high enough iso to stop the important subject. i generally shoot higher, but i can afford to do that since a) newspapers have low quality b) mkiii's iso levels are beyond anything my xt could have hoped for

My rule is to use the lowest ISO I can in order to get the proper shutter speed for my situation. Don't be afraid of higher ISO as noise will not show as much in prints as you'll see on screen. It will be masked even more if you get your prints from a lab.