Auto ISO On/Off Question

[PinkInhibitions]

I have a Nikon D3100.... I found that even though I set the ISO for say 200, the camera is picking it's own ISO setting instead.... so in order to choose my own I have to turn it off. My question is do you leave the auto ISO off all the time or is something that is turned on or off depending on what's being shot?

[jdepould]

Not sure if the 3100 does it, but I like to use the auto ISO limit to set the parameters for the camera (min. shutter, max ISO).

[PinkInhibitions]

Yes, my camera does that... it's currently set at min shutter 1/2000 and max sensitivity at it's max of like 12800 or something insane.... I am finding that even though I set the ISO at like 800 the camera is shooting at 100000 or 12800 and there is quite a bit of noise. So should I set the max at 1600 maybe?

[doctorjames]

I would never ever have auto-iso turn on if using my dSLR.

Its almost as important as shutter/aperture.

Having it on auto takes away control, from you. If you shoot in P or 'AUTO' then it might make sense to have it turned on.

I would hate to find that my camera had opted for ISO 1600 and given me a horrible grainy/noisy shot just because it thought I couldnt hand hold at 1/5th. It wouldnt know if I was using a tripod or not or just being ballsy..

[SwissJon]

I suggest you switch off AutoISO and learn to change things according to the conditions yourself.

If you always let your camera choose the settings for you, you'll never learn to control it and you'll never do better than taking snapshots with occasional lucky shots.. You've got an expensive camera, if you learn to control it, you could end up with consistently great photos..

Up to you, but I really recommend you take it out of auto.

[Jim Poor]

Generally off, but I do use it for indoor & low light dog sport photography.


It allows me to use the same shutter speed & aperture for every photo while adjusting for light or dark spots in the ring. That said, I still use exposure compensation to adjust for the color of the dogs.

[mshockley]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I suggest you switch off AutoISO and learn to change things according to the conditions yourself.

If you always let your camera choose the settings for you, you'll never learn to control it and you'll never do better than taking snapshots with occasional lucky shots.. You've got an expensive camera, if you learn to control it, you could end up with consistently great photos..

Up to you, but I really recommend you take it out of auto.

+1 This

I am all too aware that my camera is probably(well not even "probably" but I do have my pride) smarter than I am, BUT, I never use auto anything. I have decided if I don't figure it out and learn it by choosing all my settings myself the damn camera will always be smarter than I am

[sk66]

I'm like Jamie...Mines almost always on auto BUT set to limits I'm willing to accept for the day. The settings you have are just *wrong*. You should have max ISO set to 800 or 1600 and min SS set to something like 1/100 (as appropriate for subject/lens).

The way I work and the subjects I shoot having the ISO set to auto within the limits I want saves me time/ effort/ thought.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I suggest you switch off AutoISO and learn to change things according to the conditions yourself.

If you always let your camera choose the settings for you, you'll never learn to control it and you'll never do better than taking snapshots with occasional lucky shots.. You've got an expensive camera, if you learn to control it, you could end up with consistently great photos..

Up to you, but I really recommend you take it out of auto.

Ok, I agree with this up to a point....It's great for *learning*. But the mentality of always being in control of everything is very limiting IMO. Once you know what to control and when/why..then give that control up to the camera....
I paid a lot for a smart camera.... I want to make use of that.

IMO, for the way many use their cameras, the manufacturers should make a much cheaper DSLR with just basic metering, central focusing and everything else manual. You are paying an awful lot for capabilities you are not taking advantage of.

[PinkInhibitions]

Ok, good advice!

I didn't realize the camera was changing the ISO setting until last night when I noticed even though I set the ISO it still said ISOA.... then when I transferred the pics to computer and read the exif info I saw the ISO was so high. I just got the camera so still learning where everything is.... I agree that I want to learn how to use my camera and didn't get it keep in auto mode. I'm thinking I will turn it off.... I learn by doing.