ISO Expansion (low not high) question.....

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dinners

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Whether it be the confidence to crank up the ISO that little bit higher knowing we can use faster shutter speeds for noise free images or even expand the ISO to silly levels that at least enable acceptable shots which were previously impossible in dismal light - the whole ISO thing seems to be geared towards going up the way.

What about going the other way ?

I often want to shoot slower to capture movement (think running water) which is of course primarily driven by shutter speed. If the slow shutter speed results in over exposure I can obviously select a narrower aperture but what if I want a slow shot with a (shallow dof) wide aperture ?

Out come the ND filters to restrict the light which is fair enough but why isn't it possible for us to dumb down the ISO to the same degree that we seem so keen to expand ?

ISO 50 is available on my camera but it does say that 'dynamic range' suffers.

Anyway - I was keen to ask if people use ISO 50 and if so why ?

Also - Can we expect to see ISO progress going in this direction or is it a big fat no chance ?
 
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havent felt the need to use iso 50 unless the shutter speed is too high at ISO 100 at a needed aperture.
 
Mostly, ISO50 is not actually ISO50 as well. I have used it before with no real notice in quality decrease
 
The only filter I own nowadays is a polariser. I've used this to slow down my shutter speed by 1-2 stops.



I've read that cameras shift the sensor value digitally, when reducing ISO below the native setting, and then shift it back again when writing to the card. This effectively reduces the picture quality, but your mileage may vary.

My camera works well at 1/3 stop (160) below minimum (200) and noticeably reduces noise too. You should try a few test shots at different ISOs with a high dynamic range scene and see what suffers, if anything.
 
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There are more novice photographers out here than those with experience and knowledge. Novices will tend to need higher ISO to shoot the parties, club gigs, Christmas tree lights, etc. Therefore it is to manufacturers advantage to explore this area to increase their sales.
 
I have used the 50 ISO setting a few times on my camera to help me get the aperture lower on my pans.

The effect of using it seemed to reduce the range of black shades, reduced dynamic range etc...

But it was useable, personally i try to use 100 as a minimum.
 
TinaC said:
Novices will tend to need higher ISO to shoot the parties, club gigs, Christmas tree lights, etc.
Click to expand...

Not having a dig, promise, but could you explain that for me, because unless I'm missing the point you're making, I think the exact opposite!!

IMO it's working togs that need high ISO capabilities to nail the low light shots when it matters most.....when they are getting paid to do it! Sports togs, wedding togs and others rely on high ISO to get the shots that make them a living.....high ISO isn't there as a safety net for amateurs/novices, it's a tool for pros!!

Also, where Christmas tree lights come in to it, I've no idea??!! :thinking: :p
 
I guess there's no demand for it. For years photography has been limited by the relative poor sensitivity of film - for every photographer that wants to shoot at ISO 25, there are far more that want to be able to shoot in very low light levels, something that's only become possible with digital.

Just stick a ND filter on the front and be happy :)

A.
 
Slimbert said:
Not having a dig, promise, but could you explain that for me, because unless I'm missing the point you're making, I think the exact opposite!!

IMO it's working togs that need high ISO capabilities to nail the low light shots when it matters most.....when they are getting paid to do it! Sports togs, wedding togs and others rely on high ISO to get the shots that make them a living.....high ISO isn't there as a safety net for amateurs/novices, it's a tool for pros!!

Also, where Christmas tree lights come in to it, I've no idea??!! :thinking: :p
Click to expand...

I agree pro togs also make good use of this but my point is that whilst enthusiasts and a few others might like lower ISO they are few therefore the R&D will be directed toward the larger market, this is my point. The OP was asking
Also - Can we expect to see ISO progress going in this direction or is it a big fat no chance
Click to expand...
it is to that i was poorly responding ;)
 
TinaC said:
I agree pro togs also make good use of this but my point is that whilst enthusiasts and a few others might like lower ISO they are few therefore the R&D will be directed toward the larger market, this is my point. The OP was asking
Click to expand...

Ah, I get ya'!!! :thumbs: But you're wrong to think that high ISO ability is aimed at novice users....it ain't, it's the big spending pros that crave it, need it, use it and have it!!

I think that the cameras makers usually appeal to as wider market as possible (so they sell more cameras) whatever the price range....and at any price range, the majority of customers want faster shutter speeds rather than slower ones, it's as simple as that in my book! :thumbs:
 
I've used ISO 50 and noticed no noticeable difference in quality. I suppose the only time I'd use it was if I was being forced up towards f/22 for exposure (i hate going above f/16 as the images just have so much DOF they look like compact photos), or perhaps if during a long exposure in poor light I wanted to double my shutter time, say for light painting, etc.

This was on ISO 50 purely mistake, and I can't see anything wrong with it (aside from photobucket killing the quality):

E24W5815_sb.jpg
 
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i've not noticed any reduction in dynamic range when using iso 50.

the manual doesn't make it clear which way the reduction in dynamic range happens, so whether the highlights or the shadows will be clipped more. but like i said, i've not really noticed anything quantifiable.

one bonus of iso 50 is that noise is completely non existent.

the only reason i've found myself using iso 50 is when i'm using large apertures on a bright day to bring the exposure down.

you lucky boys and girls with the 85L i expect make use of this setting quite often?
 
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cuthbert said:
i've not noticed any reduction in dynamic range when using iso 50.

the manual doesn't make it clear which way the reduction in dynamic range happens, so whether the highlights or the shadows will be clipped more. but like i said, i've not really noticed anything quantifiable.

one bonus of iso 50 is that noise is completely non existent.

the only reason i've found myself using iso 50 is when i'm using large apertures on a bright day to bring the exposure down.

you lucky boys and girls with the 85L i expect make use of this setting quite often?
Click to expand...

Quite right, at 1.2 during the day you run out of max shutter speed very quickly..;)
 
I dont know if I'm just going crazy but I'm sure I read this exact question being asked recently. Might be some discussion on there that interests you. Will have a search for it now.
 
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