ISO setting

[andsome]

I have recently bought a Nikon D3100 with 18-55 lens. It has been many years since I owned a SLR camera. Years ago the most popular film was probably 100ASA. I have the new camera set at a default ISO of 400. Just out of interest, what do most of you use as a default setting for general use?

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

Good question, I fairly new to dSLRs too and I keep jumping back and forward from 200 to 400 when I've not adjusted it for a particular shot.

[RichardTaylor]

Lowest possible that will allow me to shoot at the aperture and shutter speed I want.
I don't have any problems shooting at ISO 3200 if need be.
If I am using a tripod then it will usually be the lowest possible 80 or 100, depending on the camera I am using.

(1) For pics like this with a standard zoom it will be ISO 100-200

Camera Canon EOS 5D
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/9
Focal Length 35 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV

[MrJones]

it depends on the lightning conditions.
indoors it can jump to 800-1600, outdoors 100-400.
I think Richard gave you the ultimate answer - as low as possible.

[SwissJon]

As a landscape photographer, I normally photograph at 100 ISO. For me, speed is far less important than quality, and occasionally the slower picture adds to the mood. I definitely notice reduced quality above 400 ISO where it might not bother others.. But then, sometimes the noise adds to the picture, so a high ISO, converted to black and white with a slight vignette will give the photograph a much nicer ambiance than something that's satin smooth and perfect, so every now and again I experiment with the top end of the range on my camera.. Anything goes with photography, it just depends on what picture you are trying to get.

[dlambert]

I think you're pretty safe starting at 200 and varying from there. If I'm not mistaken, 200 is the base "native" ISO setting on most Nikons, so setting ISO to 100 will not improve quality, and may actually give you slightly less contrast. My guess is that this difference isn't typically large enough for you to see under non-lab conditions.

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by dlambert

I think you're pretty safe starting at 200 and varying from there. If I'm not mistaken, 200 is the base "native" ISO setting on most Nikons, so setting ISO to 100 will not improve quality, and may actually give you slightly less contrast. My guess is that this difference isn't typically large enough for you to see under non-lab conditions.

Base ISO on the D7000, the D3100 and the D5100 is 100. The D90 and D300s, the D5000 etc. is 200.. I'm guessing that has to do with the increase in the number of pixels on the newer models.

I think there's a marked improvement on noise reduction for long exposures at the new lower ISO.

[Sloseph]

on average i go for 100 then pick the shutter and f stop i want to use and if i can't it bright enough ill change the iso

for exmple if i want something with a blured backgound, i don't have a tripod with me and light is poor, ill set my appature to what i want use the longest shutter speed i can get away with and if that isn't enough then i will change my ISO

[dlambert]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Base ISO on the D7000, the D3100 and the D5100 is 100. The D90 and D300s, the D5000 etc. is 200.. I'm guessing that has to do with the increase in the number of pixels on the newer models.

Thanks for the correction, Jon - I know I'd read something about some of the newer Nikons having a base of 100, but I thought that was just the higher-end models.

[kcoppock]

I've actuallly starting using Auto ISO on mine lately. I just set the max ISO to whatever is applicable for the situation (low light, 1600; outdoors, 800), and set the min shutter speed I want it to maintain, then I just let it automatically pick the lowest ISO that'll let me keep my current settings.