Don't skimp on ISO or shutter speed

Those who've been around DSLRs for a while will know that until recently noise came in badly at relatively low ISOs. My D70 was probably only good for 4-500 ISO and the D300 ISO 800-1600 at a push. Invariably you would end up under exposing to get a decent shutter speed and then bring up the exposure in post, which introduces loads of noise and is a bad way to do things. Alternatively you drop the shutter speed and are disappointed by the blurred results.

With the advent of cameras like the 24mp DX bodies and pretty much any current FX model, noise is much less of an issue. That said, it's only recently that I've got comfortable with this new world and started setting my camera with the aperture and shutter speed I want and letting the ISO sort out the exposure. Therefore if I want 1/1000 shutter speed I dial it in and if it results in ISO 3200 then so what. After it's been through Nik Define noise removal and generally post processed they can look pretty good.

The shutter speed point is important, especially with these high resolution sensors and longish lenses. If you want something sharp and handheld at 400mm+ you really should aim for 1/1000 sec or better even if it's not moving as the sensor will show any movement that you introduce. YMMV.

As a newbie I totally concur with this. A recent post I made produced some very useful insight and tips from senior members here and changed my life. I swear my photos improved dramatically once I decided that ISO 100 was not a "must"

Since getting my D600 I've learned the joys of not having to worry about too much noise and have been flitting in and out of Auto ISO mode happily. I can set my minimum shutter speed based on the lens I have and not have to worry when I grab the camera off the car seat to fire off a quick shot. I try not to get too lazy so as to get out of the habit of being aware of my settings, but it's not really required. With my D7000, if I got into 4 digit ISO numbers I know I was going to have more noise than I wanted. Not any more.

After all those years of film and shooting at ASA200 and below, it's hard to move up that setting. After nearly a year with my 600, I'm just now starting to pass ISA400. Old hobbits die hard.

I agree. Not having to worry about ISO is pretty nice. Set it to max out at whatever number, and let it do it's thing. I've had pretty good results using auto iso. However, when I'm outside and it's sunny, I usually dial in 100/200. Inside, let auto do it's thing.

The one time I do find auto ISO very useful is under changing light conditions such as shooting at my grandson's baseball game starting at 5:30 PM and ending around 7:30. Auto ISO allows me to keep up with the changing lighting conditions and not miss shots.

It is important to understand the impact that higher ISOs have on the dynamic range. Based on DxOmark data a D800 has a dynamic range of 14.33 Ev at an ISO of 100 but that drops to 11.12 Ev at ISO 1600. I always shoot at the lowest ISO possible for the situation to retain as much DR as possible.

Mfrankfort said:

I agree. Not having to worry about ISO is pretty nice. Set it to max out at whatever number, and let it do it's thing. I've had pretty good results using auto iso. However, when I'm outside and it's sunny, I usually dial in 100/200. Inside, let auto do it's thing.

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The thing is I alway have my base ISO set at 100/200 so it only goes up if required. It's mainly when I want to control shutter speed.

I had the privilege of sitting in at a Workshop by Rick Sammon last night. He said his dad had a great perspective about high ISOs and noise. I'm paraphrasing, "If your subject is so uninteresting that you're worried about a little noise then you need another subject"

I know I butchered what he actually said, but I think you guys get the point.

My D5100 surprised me at how high it could go and still get a decent shot. The one thing I try to remember is what am I using the shot for. Online you really don't have to worry to much. Do what it takes to get the shot. If I am shooting for a specific purpose then I am a little more careful. I generally leave my D7000 on a base of ISO100 and a max of 800 and set a minimum shutter speed based on what lens i am using and shoot away and let the ISO do what it needs to do.

In the end I had rather have some noise than a blurry shot because I had to low a shutter speed. or underexposed because I had to high a Aperture.

Steve B said:

It is important to understand the impact that higher ISOs have on the dynamic range. Based on DxOmark data a D800 has a dynamic range of 14.33 Ev at an ISO of 100 but that drops to 11.12 Ev at ISO 1600. I always shoot at the lowest ISO possible for the situation to retain as much DR as possible.

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Clearly when shooting a still life from a tripod, I go for ISO 100, even shooting bulk time if needed.
But lately I have forced myself to use ISO 25600 when I think it is needed, so I have speed at a reasonable opening. I gives a lot more noise, but it is good to learn what ISO can be used on what kind of picture.

PapaST said:

I had the privilege of sitting in at a Workshop by Rick Sammon last night. He said his dad had a great perspective about high ISOs and noise. I'm paraphrasing, "If your subject is so uninteresting that you're worried about a little noise then you need another subject"

I know I butchered what he actually said, but I think you guys get the point.

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Same sort of thing is the saying "A blurry shot is better than no shot". Agree

I will continue to use as low an ISO as is possible. My reason for this is when I took photos of the local high school's drama production with my D90, I had to use ISO 3200. My shutter speed was only at 1/15 second, and the largest aperture on my lens at the time was f/3.5-4.5. I wound up with a hot pixel that now shows up at ISO 400 and higher. I attributed it to the sensor getting hot from shooting at ISO 3200. I shot for 2-1/2 hours and took well over 200 photos that night. Sure it's possible it happened from something else, but I don't want to risk it with any camera again. Perhaps taking a few shots at a high ISO here and there won't be a problem though, I don't know.

hark said:

I will continue to use as low an ISO as is possible. My reason for this is when I took photos of the local high school's drama production with my D90, I had to use ISO 3200. My shutter speed was only at 1/15 second, and the largest aperture on my lens at the time was f/3.5-4.5. I wound up with a hot pixel that now shows up at ISO 400 and higher. I attributed it to the sensor getting hot from shooting at ISO 3200. I shot for 2-1/2 hours and took well over 200 photos that night. Sure it's possible it happened from something else, but I don't want to risk it with any camera again. Perhaps taking a few shots at a high ISO here and there won't be a problem though, I don't know.

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Well high ISO cooking the sensor is a new one on me. I'm not saying it couldn't happen but I've certainly never heard of it. As the D90 is much the same sensor as the D300 I'm surprised you even considered 3200 as I imagine it would be ugly.

Geoffc said:

Well high ISO cooking the sensor is a new one on me. I'm not saying it couldn't happen but I've certainly never heard of it. As the D90 is much the same sensor as the D300 I'm surprised you even considered 3200 as I imagine it would be ugly.

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Well...it sure wasn't the best! As I stated above, my shutter speed was @1/15 second while my aperture was f/3.5-4.5. The only reason I used it was because I needed to keep my shutter speed high enough to eliminate motion blur--students occasionally did move and I had to delete those photos. That's why I got a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8. This lens allows me to use a lower ISO. Of course, a lot of it depends on how the stage is lit, but quite often it's only by spotlight.

I expose for the faces in the spotlight. Unfortunately those who are in the shadows are then underexposed, but I don't like having their faces get blown out by the bright light. Now with the f/2.8, I use anywhere from ISO 1000-1600...and it all depends on how much light is used on stage.

Steve B said:

It is important to understand the impact that higher ISOs have on the dynamic range. Based on DxOmark data a D800 has a dynamic range of 14.33 Ev at an ISO of 100 but that drops to 11.12 Ev at ISO 1600. I always shoot at the lowest ISO possible for the situation to retain as much DR as possible.

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Definitely agree with this. IMHO, the amount and quality of lighting is far more essential than ISO. That's why fast glass is important because no matter how good your sensor is, the image quality is dictated by glass you have in front of it. However, it is nice to have the ability to raise the ISO when required. I never use auto-ISO because I find it difficult to visualize my image when the camera adjusts the ISO by itself. Also, if you have hundreds of photos in a series with varying ISO levels, it takes a lot to go through individual photos and adjusting each to your liking in post.

Steve B said:

It is important to understand the impact that higher ISOs have on the dynamic range. Based on DxOmark data a D800 has a dynamic range of 14.33 Ev at an ISO of 100 but that drops to 11.12 Ev at ISO 1600. I always shoot at the lowest ISO possible for the situation to retain as much DR as possible.

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I agree, I think there is still a trade off. Higher ISO does increase noise and decrease dynamic range its down to you to decide whats acceptable given the circumstances your in.

i set iso easy 100 , and dial too shutter speed , i go to 1600 if needed on the d7100 and will push too 3200 , i shoot now to obtain shutter speed x 2 of focal length and start too open aperture up if if i need too bring it down

iso easy is brilliant , so easy too control

Steve B said:

It is important to understand the impact that higher ISOs have on the dynamic range. Based on DxOmark data a D800 has a dynamic range of 14.33 Ev at an ISO of 100 but that drops to 11.12 Ev at ISO 1600. I always shoot at the lowest ISO possible for the situation to retain as much DR as possible.

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Worrying about DR is great for the tripod crowd. A low DR shot is much better than a blurry shot. Auto ISO for me with minimum shutter speed set carefully.

yakky said:

Worrying about DR is great for the tripod crowd. A low DR shot is much better than a blurry shot. Auto ISO for me with minimum shutter speed set carefully.

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My approach is different. I use auto-ISO sometimes when I am shooting sports, especially evening/night football games or basketball games in gyms that don't have even lighting. But I shoot shutter priority with the shutter locked at 1/500 usually. I let the aperture open up as much as needed and keep the ISO as low as I can. If I do use auto ISO I never set it with a maximum greater than 6400.