Here's a quick tip for Nikon, Pentax and Olympus users (I think it works on Olympus too). For Canon users, you have to have one of their latest cameras, like the 40D. It does not work on the Rebel or Rebel XTI (unfortunately).
The above mentioned cameras have an automatic ISO adjustment. You can use this to help you take "better" pictures in low light. When the light level drops, the camera will automatically adjust the ISO to compensate for the low light.
With some camera models, you can also specify a minimum shutter speed. This is a great option as it increases the ISO automatically when your shutter speed is getting too slow to guarantee you sharp images. Due to the increased ISO, you may maintain a minimum specified shutter speed automatically even in changing light conditions. I would recommend setting it to 1/30 for starts.
Remember that the higher your ISO, the lower your general image quality, so be 'gentle' with your adjustments.
Pentax camera go even a step further by giving you a dedicated shooting mode that adjust ISO automatically.
Looks like Canon has finally caught on and put this feature in their newer cameras.
It really can be useful. Try it if your camera offers this setting!
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Unfortunately, on my Nikon D80, the Automatic ISO only works on the pre-programmed settings. It doesn't work on M,S,A or P. I guess I'm stuck choosing my ISO.
You are right...we figured out in class today that this feature seems to work only on the newest Nikon's (like the D300). Sorry to have gotten your hopes up...
Hmm....it seems that you can use an Auto ISO setting for overall use across all image capture modes but that there are some difficulties and situations where it is more of a problem than a feature.
The follow post from Planet Neil recommends the Auto ISO turned on when using Manual mode to fix a specific aperture and shutter speed but still get "correct" exposure by using the flexible ISO.
Custom Setting 5 - ISO auto
This setting allows the camera to automatically adjust the ISO upwards if the camera decides that proper exposure can’t be achieved at the current exposure settings.
default : OFF,
my recommendation : OFF.
With the Auto ISO setting ON, you will run into a problem with your camera if you use manual metering mode. Auto ISO will override your manual metering settings every time if it is any different from what the camera’s meter says - thereby completely negating the very reason for Manual Metering’s existence.
This will obviously cause problems as well when Auto ISO is used with studio lighting. Since there is no way for the camera to know what you are doing with the studio lights, the camera’s metering will perceive there not to be enough available light to take the photograph under the specific settings - and it will bump up the ISO in an attempt to get ‘correct’ exposure. This causes major over-exposure with the studio lights. If you were metering for 200 ISO with your flashmeter, and the camera bumps your ISO to 1600, then your photos will be over-exposed by 3 stops.
The D70 has an interesting and potentially useful application of the Auto ISO feature, where the camera will bump up the ISO to try and get a minimum shutter speed. This could be quite useful in helping to eliminate camera shake or subject movement, by having the camera automatically adjsut the ISO. This might be a feature worth trying out, but just make sure that the Auto ISO feature doesn’t make your exposure metering inconsistent in manual metering.
There are two other scenarios where you might want to consider Auto ISO.
* If you should need a very specific shutter speed and aperture, which you then set in manual metering mode. Then, to accomodate lighting changes, you could have the camera adjust the ISO automatically to match the meter reading at that point.
* Also, if in Shutter Priority mode, if you wanted to work only within a certain range of apertures, you could use Auto ISO to keep your auto exposures correct when you move out of the range of possible apertures.
But these would be unusual situations, and for all practical purposes, I would still recommend that the ISO Auto setting be set to OFF.
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