Manual Mode With Auto ISO

Try the amazing "hidden" exposure mode in your camera!

Do you shoot situations that change fast? Are you constantly readjusting shutter speed and F/stop? Wouldn't it be great if there was an exposure mode where YOU set aperture and F/stop and the camera used ISO to AUTOMATICALLY set the proper exposure?

Well, there is - for some cameras (almost every Nikon, some Canons, and a mix of other brands).

Instead of shooting Aperture Priority where you only set F/Stop or Shutter Priority where you only set shutter speed, this “secret” mode lets you set both to whatever you need for the situation at hand - and then automatically figures out the proper exposure by adjusting your ISO!

Want to see how it works? Watch the video - it may change the way you use your camera forever!

Backcountry Gallery Nature Photography Forums:

Website / Newsletter Signup:

Books / Video Workshops:

Master Index Of All My Videos / Articles:

Follow me on Instagram:

[backcountrygallery]

Have nature and wildlife photography questions? Check out the BCG Forums! Ask and answer gear and technique questions questions, post photos and more. Check it out and sign up today!
Bonus - I also post exclusive tips, tricks, and techniques to the forum you can't get anywhere else! Check it out!

[CostaMesaPhotography]

Steve-- a friend of mine told me today that he shoots this way and it's all the rage in his photo club (largely because he's a board member and people listen to him). It's Aug 2023 and when doing a YouTube search found this video (and by the way I've subscribed to your channel for a while and love your content). You do caveat that this method isn't for everyone, and I would say it's not for me, and I think there's a compelling reason why.

First of all, I think we can all agree that the primary result of settings choice is proper exposure. Beyond that, the specific choices of the exposure triangle are a function of creative/technical choices...i.e. shutter speed--motion control, aperture--depth of field control, and ISO--noise control. I'm a BIG fan of shooting in Auto ISO, so we agree on that much. But rather than shoot in Manual, I think it's wiser to shoot in Aperture priority or Shutter priority depending on the creative choice you're prioritizing for the particular shot. Why?

In your method, if you happened to have taken a shot of a stationary subject and used a small aperture, say f/11. And then you're getting ready to take another shot where you're concerned about freezing motion (e.g. a bird getting ready to take flight), your first instinct will be to adjust your shutter speed to a faster setting....but if you forget, are inattentive, or simply don't have time to also adjust your aperture, you'll end up with a much higher ISO than you likely need because your aperture is still at f/11. If however you're shooting in Shutter priority, and you do the same thing (dial in a fast shutter speed), the camera will automatically give you a proper exposure with the LOWEST possible ISO (achieved by opening the lens aperture automatically). And if you were to suggest that you also wanted to control the depth of field, you would notice while you're dialing in shutter speed what the corresponding aperture being chosen by the camera is--and if you're being intentional, attentive, and have time, you can fiddle with the shutter speed until you're satisfied with both settings...by focusing on just choosing the shutter speed.

Bottom line, I think your method is prone to error in a faster-paced shooting scenario where you either have limited time to dial in all the settings, and/or your attention is consumed either by the subject/scene or by the intentional creative control you're trying to affect.

Great respect, and a great fan Steve, so I'm not throwing shade. And by the way for those familiar with Nikon (which I know you're intimately familiar with), if you choose the Program automatic mode, you can see what shutter speed AND aperture the camera is deciding to use for a shot...and if you don't like it, you simply pivot the command dial to affect the shutter/aperture combination...in some ways it's the best of both world between Aperture priority and Shutter priority. (and of course using Auto ISO the whole time)

[robwasnj]

Funny thing, I remember going back 20 years with the first digital cameras I actually said "why don't they have auto iso" as a variable. I remember getting weird looks but it always made sense. When I got back into photography a few years ago I was delighted to see modern cameras now embrace this, it's really just "gain" like we have in video but it works out really well. On another note now some cameras offer custom shoot settings so at a button press you can get a whole new set of shutter speed, aperture, iso, focus mode, etc at the press of a button making those surprise bird moments where they fly off appropriate settings instantly at your fingertips. I have a lot of respect for photographers who captured images in the days of 35mm film and generally a max iso of 1000, manual focus, etc.. We sure have come a long since then making excellent wildlife images attainable for the masses.

[PeterGaunt]

I've been using Manual with auto-iso as my standard setting for quite some time now regardless of what I'm shooting. So long as you keep an eye on the ISO you can adjust shutter speed and aperture without taking your eye from the viewfinder and for everyday outdoor photography where you're not doing much more than taking ''snapshots' it's brilliant and a kind of 'super-auto'.

[Bakin]

Steve; I know this video was done in 2014 but just a note to let you know it is still helping people. I have a new Panasonic G9 and the suggestion you made worked well for shooting videos in manual mode with the ISO controlled by the camera. The G9 also has the exposure reading in the EVF so if necessary the exposure setting can also be adjusted while under Auto ISO control. I could not find any other information on this and its possible to more experienced users how this can be done but your video addressed it directly. Thanks again.

[jenshid]

Awesome tip steve.
One thing which people normally overlook in the auto iso menu is that min. shutter speed is a preferred setting and not a locked setting i.e. when the camera meters to the max. iso set and still cannot achieve desired exposure, it reduces the shutter speed to attain proper exposure.

[UncompressedWAVmusic]

This technique is perfect for using my 40 year old film SLR Contax 139 Vintage lenses with my new Sony A7 full frame that I just bought the body only. I set the shutter speed and the F-stop and the camera sets the ISO. I can watch and if the ISO goes too high I can also adjust my shutter speed or F-stop. It worked tonight taking light trails of cars on the street and on the highway. It also worked indoors. I bought a $40 lens adapter C/Y to E-mount. It takes more adjusting however I get to use my 4 old lenses and teleconverters and filters and hoods instead of spending $2, 000 to buy new ones.

[mauboy]

I figuered this one out myself shortly after buying my first DSLR 3100 and when I explained this in forums I got laughed at and people didn't fully understand how it works and questioned this method. I still use this all the time!

[TexasBamaGal]

Thanks for sharing. This is so helpful for a newbie like myself. I understand how the ISO works, but I don’t want to constantly have to adjust it. All of your videos are great and to the point. Thank you for not making us watch you frolic through the woods for 12 minutes before teaching us something.

[gizmoguyar]

This is very helpful for me. Thank you. I'm an amature who just upgraded from an old Nikon D40x to a Z50. This Auto ISO appears to be standard now and I love it, but it was totally new to me. The old D40 didn't have this.

One thing that I think it worth noting is something that took me a really long time to figure out (the manual didn't help) is the function of the ISO button when in Manual Mode. When in manual mode with Auto iso turned OFF, holding the ISO button and rotating the dial turns the ISO value yellow and changes the ISO as you would expect.

When Auto ISO is turned ON, holding the ISO button and rotating the back dial changes the max allowable ISO (instead of just changing the ISO like in a priority mode). Note that the manual ISO value and the max Auto ISO value are two completely independent values.

For example, let's say you have Auto ISO turned ON. If you are in P mode and the ISO is set to 200, you can then switch to M mode, and the iso will change automatically up to the max Auto ISO setting (let's say 4000). Let's say you then hold the ISO button and rotate the dial, this changes the max Auto ISO from 4000 to, let's say 3200. If you then switch back to P mode, the ISO will go back to 200 where you left it.

This is kind of a funky behavior if you switch between modes and expect the iso setting to persist between them.

[edgaralegre]

it makes sense. i thought about this when i first got my Canon 40D and shooting birds in flight and having a tough time choosing whether AV or TV mode with Auto ISO. Been using this Manual Mode with Auto ISO ever since. You explained it beautifully.

[douglasinfarinato]

I first used this Auto ISO feature in manual mode with my Canon EOS 6D camera. I was photographing vintage automobiles in an indoor car museum. The lighting in the museum was all over the place. Some type of commercial lighting, like the lights used in a warehouse. The chrome, the different color paint on the vehicles, and the auto glass were either in the dark, or they were blowing up with reflected light from the ceiling lights. 90 out of 100 shots were spot on for a proper exposure. It's an incredible and little known camera function.

[Reason-fgik]

I've only had my D810 for about three months. When I discovered how to set this up I'm almost always in manual mode. I don't think I've had a technically bad photo since then. D810, is my second digital camera and likely the last camera I'll buy. I love this camera!

Great video BTW, I've been wondering if anyone else shoots like this.

[donbeach]

Thank you very much for taking the time to post this setup, I recently purchased a Nikon D500 and I'm a complete novice at manual photography, I've been using a colony of feral cats that we feed as my practice subjects, for the most part I set my shutter to 1/100 to 1/250 - f2.8 - ISO 100 which provides me with some truly amazing pictures but is less than useless when the kittens break into full out blasting around mode, I found by the time I changed my shutter speed, f-stop for more depth of field then ISO to suit I was way too slow and missing some truly hilarious action, this setup has helped me very much and I really appreciate you providing this information...!

[NEMOZAC]

thanks out of 100 videos i could watch this one means something

[AnthonyThurston]

I love this for action/sports/wildlife photography for the exact reasons you mention. I get to set my shutter and aperture as I want for my creative vision, but the camera makes sure my exposure is spot on (assuming light allows with my max ISO setting). Some people give you funny looks when you say you shoot with auto-iso, but I love it. It is the only "auto" mode I use on a consistent basis. 

[Ruffffrider]

Great tip. Thanks. I did it on my D7000 and saved it as a USER setting, and then went back to M mode and turned auto ISO back off. Now on U2, that auto ISO is always there. Cheers 🍺

[gerryallen]

I have tried this method and fell in love with it. Then I realised that my Canon 7d won't accept exposure compensation in this mode. I believe that the 7d mkII will though.
Great video as always Steve, really well explained and entertaining. Keep up the great work

[tomvana]

Watched your video last night and tried it today and realized I’ve been shooting wrong forever. I always used aperture priority and my success rate was not very good. With this method it’s quite clear(pardon the pun) that this is the way to go. Thank you for this video!

[judyt]

This tip has been extremely helpful. I have used it for several weeks now, and it has allowed me to be in changing lighting situations and still capture the shot! Thanks Steve