Re: Automatic ISO versus Manual Setting

Morton wrote:
Hi,

I'm an advanced photographer, who for reasons of age and decreasing vision gave up on my SLR film outfit. I'm now using a Canon Digital Elph SD-850. I can set the ISO values for automatic, which is usually OK but occasionally results in very noisy pictures when a high ISO setting was turned on. Setting the ISO manually for, e.g. ISO 100 should theoretically give the best noise-free pictures. This camera has a shake icon for when the shutter speed is too slow, and can be set to bump up the ISO on one shot at a time by pressing one button.

In general, is one better off with automatic ISO, or manual at 100 while watching out for slow shutter speeds?

Thank you.

Mort


Keeping your camera at its lowest ISO setting will always give the lowest noise level.....BUT..... If you shoot in a low light situation you will pay a price, one way or another. "There ain't no free lunch". Low ISO will mean low shutter speed which can cause blur from camera or subject movement. You may end up with a well exposed, low noise, UNsharp image. Image stabilization helps but it has its limits too. If yo bump up the ISO to say 400 you can use a faster shutter speed to reduce motion blur, but the price you pay is more noise.
As the old adage says, "You pays your money and you takes your choice".
Bob Williams
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