What's the best all around iso setting for a dslr?

I'm having trouble with light. it's either too bright or too dark

 

probably. just got this thing and still figuring it out

thanks :thumbup:

 

I'd say there really isn't any. ISO rates the sensitivity of the sensor to light. The higher the ISO the greater the sensitivity, the greater the sensitivity the less light is required for a proper exposure. The trade off for greater sensitivity is noise (grain) ... the higher the ISO the more noise.

Your choice of ISO will effect which shutter speed you use, which aperture you use or both.

Each sensor has a "native ISO" ... this is the ISO which delivers the best Image Quality (IQ) in terms of noise (least) and dynamic range (most). For the Canon 5D sensor I believe it's at ISO 160 (but this may not be true for all/other Canon sensors).

Generally , one will adjust the ISO to match the lighting conditions and allow one to handhold the camera without creating blur. In low light one would adjust the ISO up ... in bright light one will adjust the ISO down (typically the lower the ISO the better the IQ).

This is just general info ... ISO affects and effects all aspects of exposure and consenquency is not easily or completely explained in a post or two.

Gary

PS- For starters a good ISO for most lighting (for a beginner) would be 200 to 400.

G

 

What iso should be set if I wanted to shoot my son running towards me or past me?

 

thanks

so if i need a higher shuter speed to freeze frame should i put the iso up?

 

cool thanks for your time

 

GreenGhost,

You're really asking about two different things: ISO, and why your exposures are either too high or too low.

I know most of the others here will say change your ISO to suit conditions, but generally keep it as low as possible ... and I (generally) agree. But - contrarian that I am - I use ISO 400 all the time, on both my cameras ... unless there's an overwhelming reason NOT to. Of course, I've tested both of my primary cameras extensively, and found that 400 works wonderfully for both of them. You would need to do the same before making a similar decision.

Now, on the other question: I agree with Big Mike. It sounds like you're not using your metering correctly, or your meter isn't working properly, or you're trying to shoot everything in Auto.

We need more info to make a considered recommendation. Like - under what circumstances are your pix overexposed? Ditto for underexposure. Are you using flash? What kind of camera?

 

ok mr. Sandspur, I have change my iso setting to 400 and gonna go out a take 100 pics tomorrow of different stuff and see what i think.

I'm looking forward to it

 

Daytime? Night time? indoors, outdoors? With or without flash? The son running towards you is not going to be a factor... ambient or artificial light level... is