Beginner ISO Auto Or Manual.

Barry L.

Barry L.

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Simple question (i hope) ISO Auto Or Manual on my Nikon D100? :)
 
Simple question, with a simple answer.

Use whatever is appropriate for you and the type of shooting you are doing.

There is an alternative answer but it will take three pages of posts and wind up in the same place. FWIW I nearly always use auto-iso but there are occasions where I don't.
 
It depends what you want to achieve! Do you want to set the lowest ISO possible or have it fixed? If so your only option is manual ISO. I use manual in some outdoor shooting situations (ET with tripod) and in studio setups but auto most of the rest of the time.
 
Another "it depends". I leave it on Auto for general shooting, but switch to Manual if I'm using a tripod or other stabiliser, or if I want the ISO fixed to vary other parameters in preference.
 
Jannyfox said:
It's not a simple question at all. It depends very much on what you're shooting and how you're controlling the other variables (aperture and ss).
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Aperture priority for stills and shutter for fast moving, seems to work for me. Or is it more complicated than that?
 
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Barry L. said:
Aperture priority for stills and shutter for fast moving, seems to work for me. Or is it more complicated than that?
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If that works for everything you shoot, there's nothing wrong with it.
For me I sometimes need to nail a particular parameter, so then I choose an ISO and shoot Manual.
 
Phil V said:
If that works for everything you shoot, there's nothing wrong with it.
For me I sometimes need to nail a particular parameter, so then I choose an ISO and shoot Manual.
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Same here. Will often have auto iso but choose shutter and aperture, but sometimes I prefer the control over ISO so will choose that first.
 
On a Nikon D100?
IMO, it has a limited range of "usable" ISO and it doesn't have good options for managing the automation... this is one case where I would be more inclined to always set the ISO manually.
 
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sk66 said:
On a Nikon D100?
IMO, it has a limited range of "usable" ISO and it doesn't have good options for managing the automation... this is one case where I would be more inclined to always set the ISO manually.
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When you say doesn't have good options for setting options for auto ISO can you tell me what you mean?
 
Barry L. said:
When you say doesn't have good options for setting options for auto ISO can you tell me what you mean?
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On the

Modern implementations allow you to set all sorts of things, including focal length / lens specific settings for Auto ISO and also allows you to set if so it picks a higher shutter speed (e.g. for sports) or a lower shutter speed (e.g. for landscapes) before upping the ISO. Basically with the best you can set it to think exactly like you would.

On your camera you can probably only set minimum shutter speed.
 
Nawty said:
On the

Modern implementations allow you to set all sorts of things, including focal length / lens specific settings for Auto ISO and also allows you to set if so it picks a higher shutter speed (e.g. for sports) or a lower shutter speed (e.g. for landscapes) before upping the ISO. Basically with the best you can set it to think exactly like you would.

On your camera you can probably only set minimum shutter speed.
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You can do all of that on the D100?

Hopefully soonish when i have saved a bit i am going for what i am told is one of the best DSLR's on the market, the Nikon 3300.
 
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Barry L. said:
You can do all of that on the D100?

Hopefully soonish when i have saved a bit i am going for what i am told is one of the best DSLR's on the market, the Nikon 3300.
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No, the D100 has very basic options.

The D3300 is a nice camera that sits at the bottom of the modern ranges, I think it has good auto ISO functions and other features but you will probably find it feels a bit like a toy compared to your D100.
 
Nawty said:
No, the D100 has very basic options.

The D3300 is a nice camera that sits at the bottom of the modern ranges, I think it has good auto ISO functions and other features but you will probably find it feels a bit like a toy compared to your D100.
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Been out with a pro recently and he said not to take much notice of the " entry level " tag on the 3300 as it will probably be the only camera you will need for many many years?

PS
Will the D100 be OK for Astro work?
 
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Barry L. said:
Been out with a pro recently and he said not to take much notice of the " entry level " tag on the 3300 as it will probably be the only camera you will need for many many years?
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That depends entirely on your requirements and is probably true for most people but then most people buy a DSLR and shoot in auto mode.

Basically the D3300 and other lower end cameras in general lack external controls, for example your D100 has two control wheels (one thumb, one finger) but the D3300 only has one so if you find that you use both wheels a lot then you might well end up frustrated with ta lower end camera. Also, your D100 has a top LCD plate that shows you all the settings and info you need, the lower end cameras don't have this. The lower end Nikons don't have in built focus motors so can only use AFS or equivalent lenses, if you have a collection of AFD lenses then they won't autofocus on the D3300.

What the D3300 does have is a fantastic sensor which is leaps and bounds ahead you D100.
 
Nawty said:
That depends entirely on your requirements and is probably true for most people but then most people buy a DSLR and shoot in auto mode.

Basically the D3300 and other lower end cameras in general lack external controls, for example your D100 has two control wheels (one thumb, one finger) but the D3300 only has one so if you find that you use both wheels a lot then you might well end up frustrated with ta lower end camera. Also, your D100 has a top LCD plate that shows you all the settings and info you need, the lower end cameras don't have this. The lower end Nikons don't have in built focus motors so can only use AFS or equivalent lenses, if you have a collection of AFD lenses then they won't autofocus on the D3300.

What the D3300 does have is a fantastic sensor which is leaps and bounds ahead you D100.
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Is there another Nikon you would recommend in the same price range say second hand as i am on a very limited budget?
 
Barry L. said:
Is there another Nikon you would recommend in the same price range say second hand as i am on a very limited budget?
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Don't let me put you off the D3300, just be aware that just because a pro has said something it isn't the only point of view and only you can really know what suits you. The thing to do is go to a shop and handle them, then you will know if it feels right.

If on a budget the other Nikon camera I would look at is the D7000 which has been, for quite a while, a billy-bargain second hand.
 
Nawty i can't thank you enough for taking the time to help me out.

(it is going to many months before i can upgrade, so i hope i can still get my hands on either camera :()
 
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Barry L. said:
Simple question (i hope) ISO Auto Or Manual on my Nikon D100? :)
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err, I feel a bit out of the thread with my advice, but I would keep this camera at low ISO, manually,
and buy another cheap modern Nikon body for all high-ISO tasks.
I mean : used DSLRs are ridiculously cheap and hugely available right now.
 
Barry L. said:
Is there another Nikon you would recommend in the same price range say second hand as i am on a very limited budget?
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When you're tightly limited by budget, it's useful to look at what people were using 5 years ago or so, the results they were getting, the techniques they used and the articles/reviews/tutorials written about that time. What you should be able to achieve (and how to go about it) shouldn't be an unknown when dealing with older gear. A top-end DSLR from 5 years ago will be considerably cheaper now on the second-hand market. It may be a slight disadvantage technologically to a current entry-level model, but it will have better usability in terms of controls,ergonomics and layout.
 
Barry L. said:
Is there another Nikon you would recommend in the same price range say second hand as i am on a very limited budget?
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Sounds to me like you're just getting started...
I suggest you use what you have until you have learned to use/control it thoroughly, and it's limitations. Then, whatever you find to be limiting your photography can be addressed when it becomes time to buy another.
 
Again thank you all for the invaluable advice. I just love taking pics and i know my limited budget is a bit of no go in the world of DSLR but i am going to put some extra effort into saving. I paid £53 for the D100 but i fear i might have wasted my money.
 
Barry L. said:
Been out with a pro recently and he said not to take much notice of the " entry level " tag on the 3300 as it will probably be the only camera you will need for many many years?

PS
Will the D100 be OK for Astro work?
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I often see 'a pro told me...' then some b******t.

Ive no idea what you think makes a 'pro', or indeed why 'a pro' is the best person to advise on a starter camera for any other individual.

If you really want to learn to use a camera, having a 'quality' body that doesn't need you to delve into menus is really important.

Like cars, it's difficult to find a 'bad' one, but that doesn't mean no one has a use for a 'better than entry level' one.
 
Phil V said:
I often see 'a pro told me...' then some b******t.

Ive no idea what you think makes a 'pro', or indeed why 'a pro' is the best person to advise on a starter camera for any other individual.

If you really want to learn to use a camera, having a 'quality' body that doesn't need you to delve into menus is really important.

Like cars, it's difficult to find a 'bad' one, but that doesn't mean no one has a use for a 'better than entry level' one.
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I trust the guy implicitly as he is also a personal friend.I don't think he was saying that at all, but that there is a lot BS put out by manufacturers by the use of the word "entry level" His knowledge of photography goes back many years, includes tv work, weddings, advertisement, magazines, military, and much more. So his CV is top notch and his photographic courses are known across the country. Infact you probably know him.

http://www.neilatkinson.com/
 
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Barry L. said:
I trust the guy implicitly as he is also a personal friend.I don't think he was saying that at all, but that there is a lot BS put out by manufacturers by the use of the word "entry level" His knowledge of photography goes back many years, includes tv work, weddings, advertisement, magazines, military, and much more. So his CV is top notch and his photographic courses are known across the country. Infact you probably know him.

http://www.neilatkinson.com/
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From an outside perspective.

Your pro mate, me you, and many others could produce perfectly good results with an 'entry level' camera. But if you're keen, you'll soon get frustrated, not by the quality, but by the ergonomics. When you want to change settings, you don't want to have to go into menus, click - select, click - select, click - select, click - select, click - select, when on an 'enthusiast' level camera it'd just be; press - spin - select.

A Chevrolet Spark will happily get you from Lands End to John o Groats, but it won't be as nice an experience as a 5 series BMW. Life is rarely about the destination, it's about the journey.

On a budget, I would always recommend a better older camera, but ultimately the choice is yours, and I'll reiterate, despite what you believe now, this is only your 'first' camera; everyone thinks their first camera should last them for many years, but the truth is that 2 years from now, that camera will either lay at the back of a cupboard because you've given up, or you'll have long since replaced it.
 
Barry L. said:
Been out with a pro recently and he said not to take much notice of the " entry level " tag on the 3300 as it will probably be the only camera you will need for many many years?

PS
Will the D100 be OK for Astro work?
Click to expand...

Neil was both "right" and "wrong"... it depends on how you define "need." It's quite possible that the D100 could be the only camera you ever *need.* And it is true that just about any much more modern camera will likely outperform it in several ways, and *also* "be the only camera you will need for many years."
But most of us do not define "need" in absolute (nor realistic) terms... we decide we need something because we are tired of being frustrated/annoyed/disappointed by what we have, but not due to any actual requirement (and often the *cause* of the frustration is the operator and not the equipment at all, at least early on).


The D100 has a CCD sensor which is (used to be?) somewhat preferential for astrophotography.
Whatever the use, I suggest you use the camera for quite some time and not worry about "what else."
I remember when the D100 was released... "6MP for $2k! Amazing!"
 
It will probably be Christmas or early new year before i can afford an upgrade.:)
 
I use manual ISO and generally aperture priority. Using the quick access buttons, you can quickly adjust the ISO if needed, or indeed increase or decrease the aperture. I would defineilt get to grips with the ISO, when you’re free just have a play around. Tbh, nowadays with the increase in sensor technology, high ISO is far less “rarely” used due to quality. Depending on the camera and the size of the sensor (DSLRs are generally fine!) up to 1600 ISO will still give excellent results. Definitely have a play so you can get used to your specific cameras capabilities!
 
Ultimately it depends on where you want to get to, on your photographic journey.

Arguably as a beginner you are better starting out (once you've enjoyed a few weeks of point and clicking in auto modes) in full manual, and really getting to grips with understanding the cause and effect of ISO, Aperture and Shutter speeds in different situations.

Once you've got a grasp of this, you can then use auto modes (eg auto ISO) when it is more important to get the shot, rather than faffing around with manual controls.

For reference, I started out with a D3100 in 2012, kit lens and 35 1.8 and learnt how to shoot in manual - using YouTube as a tutor (particularly fro knows photo). At the start of the year I upgraded to a D750, and subsequently have upgraded lenses (24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8), and feel I'm fairy competent in most situations - but I'm still learning.

My advice would be to stick with what you've got for now. Really understand the basics before upgrading to what is an entry level body (Albeit a good one).

Oh, and to answer the original question - use manual ISO for now. I'm no expert on the Astro photography front, but night shooting is one situation where you want full control of everything.

Grant
 
I chose auto iso when i'm shooting sports but manual iso when taking landscapes and portraits as for me it's a timing thing about what you have to think about to get the shot
 
As others have said it's unfortunately not quite as simple a question as you might think as it does depend on what your shooting...also how fussy you are on image quality comes into it too.

Landscapes... I'd say 99% of the time go manual. High iso eats away detail and also cameras capture their widest dynamic range at base iso.

Situations where you're faced with quickly changing scene lighting, moving objects etc are often easier to capture using auto-iso though... it's really a case of trying it out in different situations and deciding what's gives the best results, there's no "one solution fits all"

Simon
 
Barry L. said:
Simple question (i hope) ISO Auto Or Manual on my Nikon D100? :)
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Find out what is the highest ISO you personally can tolerate for noise - then set the Auto ISO Maximum value to that. You can always go manual for those occasions you really have to have a higher ISO. Simples!
 
Personally, if I'm in changing lighting conditions that could force the camera to use slower shutter speeds than i require, i will generally use auto-iso. if in in static lighting conditions i will generally fix the iso.

if you fix the iso, keep an eye on the shutter speed in case it gets too slow.
 
Generally I know what speed and aperture I want for a specific shot so I usually shoot manual and auto ISO.
 
rjbell said:
Generally I know what speed and aperture I want for a specific shot so I usually shoot manual and auto ISO.
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Which is great where your camera will let you set exp comp in manual. don't know whether the OP's camera will.
 
Barry L. said:
Been out with a pro recently and he said not to take much notice of the " entry level " tag on the 3300 as it will probably be the only camera you will need for many many years?

PS
Will the D100 be OK for Astro work?
Click to expand...

The d3300 is a wonderful camera but I outgrew mine within 18 months. I had a budget and decided to buy the d3300 and spend the bulk of my budget on the lenses I wanted.
I upgraded to the d5500, as tilting/ touch screen, ae bracketing, wifi, time lapse capabilities, and few more focus points made a big difference to myself .
 
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