Comments on: Digital Photography 101: Film Speed

By: Max

Max — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:00:53 +0000

Great blog, The last time I had a real camera was 20 years ago (Chinnon 35) So my new E-420 is a revelation. Adam refers to high ISO and noise. Does this problem affect digital sensors to the same level as film?

By: Richard Michie

Richard Michie — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:14:57 +0000

Thanks for that. I’ve been looking all over the place for a straigh forward answer to that. at last I know what for less light I need a higher number and for lots of light a lower number. Why other sites had to go around the houses and be all technical I don’t know. Sorry for the rant I was getting frustrated

Thanks

By: Adam Parker

Adam Parker — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:12:40 +0000

Nice blog, the understanding of ISO is key if you are going to master the use of your camera and nothing helps you get the right shot better than understanding what lighting conditions require what ISO values. That can make or break the exposure of your shot.

As Sidney Lo said, one thing that wasn’t mentioned here is how higher ISO values introduce more ‘noise’ into the picture. The lower that you are able to go with ISO, the better. As camera sensors get better, however, there is becoming less and less grain with higher ISO values and their usefulness has increased greatly.

As to Rahul’s question about the relationship of shutter speed to aperture and ISO, here is a post covering even more details about what ISO is including graphics and sample pictures:
http://blogs.adamparkerphotography.com/blog/What-does-the-ISO-setting-on-my-camera-do/16/

By: Markus

Markus — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 05:07:36 +0000

You’re right, Sidney. I also never use higher than ISO200 anymore, even for night shots. It’s just too grainy, too much noise. I can’t imagine using ISO 800 or higher. I made night shots with ISO 400 once, and they were all grainy and noisy. I learned from it. The article should mention this danger.

By: Rahul

Rahul — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 11:00:47 +0000

Hello!

I like the way you have explained this piece.

Can you write a note on the combinations of shutter speed, aperture & film speed too?
E.g. At night & with low flash , is it better to use high film speed, small aperture, slow shutter speed or high film speed, large aperture, fast shutter speed or normal film speed, large aperture, slow shutter speed ?

By: In Photos » Blog Archive » Off The Wall

In Photos » Blog Archive » Off The Wall — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 09:30:41 +0000

[...] John Engler’s photography section of his blog has lots of good stuff, including 3 introductory articles: What’s an SLR Anyways?, Film Speed, Aperture. (via) [...]

By: Sidney Lo

Sidney Lo — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 17:02:44 +0000

Also, note that ISO affects grain, so not only do you have to select the ISO for the lighting situation, you also choose ISO based on the aesthetic quality you want to get out of the photograph. Many times I will want a very fine grain so I shoot no more than 200 ISO despite the lighting situation.