what iso?

andrewtimothy · 31 Mar 2012

evening all,

im shooting a bike race tomorrow to try and build up my portfolio, the main problem i have is what iso to select?

anybody got any tips or advice for me?

much appreciated,

Andy.

Hebridean · 31 Mar 2012

Any iso that will give you a fast enough shutter speed?! It will also depend on Lighting/aperture.

jobartlett · 31 Mar 2012

It depends on the weather and also what camera you are shooting with - as some handle higher iso than others. If its as dismal as today I'd start with 400 (but that's just me). Is it cycles of motorbikes?

redddraggon · 31 Mar 2012

The best ISO is the lowest one that gives your required shutter speed.

andrewtimothy · 1 Apr 2012

the weather looks like its going to be the same as today pretty overcast, and it will be bicycles.

i have a canon 60d?

i understand that the iso gives the optimal shutter speed but how would i go about finding the correct one? trial and error or is there a set way of finding it?

Phil789 · 1 Apr 2012

Start with a low ISO and check the in camera meter and just keep going up until you get a quick enough shutter speed.

The lower the ISO you can get away with the better

jon ryan · 1 Apr 2012

For moving bikes, you're likely to need quite a fast shutter. I'd start with around 1/500. So, set this first. Then select a suitable aperture - let's say f/5.6 for the sake of argument. You then set your ISO to allow you to shoot with those settings.

Shutter Priority will make sure your shutter remains constant, so think about this. And a grainy shot tends to be more acceptable than a blurry shot. You can reduce noise in PP, but not blur.

Try different things during the shoot, then look at the exif when you get home and note what worked best.

Phil V · 1 Apr 2012

Did you ever see film on the shelves?

Everyday film for everyday folks was Kodak Gold 200. So if you think that's what people took on their holidays, and that we could buy 400 over the counter in the supermarket, but we had to go to a proper camera shop for anything faster (or slower). Then you'd look outside and if it's a sunny day, you're 100iso for daytime, in the winter that becomes 400 for the daytime.
If I was shooting sports today I'd hope for 200 but be happy to take 800 for managing shutter speeds.

weybourne · 1 Apr 2012

Phil V said:
Did you ever see film on the shelves?

Everyday film for everyday folks was Kodak Gold 200. So if you think that's what people took on their holidays, and that we could buy 400 over the counter in the supermarket, but we had to go to a proper camera shop for anything faster (or slower). Then you'd look outside and if it's a sunny day, you're 100iso for daytime, in the winter that becomes 400 for the daytime.
If I was shooting sports today I'd hope for 200 but be happy to take 800 for managing shutter speeds.

I used to use 21 DIN before I changed to 100 ASA

I'm with Phil on this. If you can't get a decent exposure at a suitable shutter speed then up the ISO. Unless the light is really bad and the lens is really slow, then hopefully you won't need to go above 400 or 800.