Why I don’t use ISO 100.

This week I'm talking briefly ISO, and why I rarely shoot at base 100 on my Sony A7R5.

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[krogsether]

Idea: Make a video where you try to completely break your own style principles. I'm thinking tilted horizons, lack of symmetry, motion blur, black and white, weird angles, tons of grain, etc. etc. Would be interesting to see what you end up with and what you thought of the experience.

[kqschwarz]

Because of you, my wife and I planned a trip to Wales. We completed that trip about 10 days ago. We did not see another American the whole time we were there, but I was pleasantly surprised of the number of British travelers even in September that choose Wales as a getaway from the lives in England. We had a wonderful time exploring castles and the Snowdonia region of northern Wales. Thank you for your inspiration.

[ronmasters]

Just received “Human Nature” in good shape, now unboxed and waiting in my Sugar Land, TX home for leisurely enjoyment. Thank you very much!

[Smeeble]

As someone who is still reletively new to photography the iso explanation was long enough to make sense, but short enough to not become boring. Plus having it a video where you are out taking shots and seeing the images too worked great.
Another enjoyable video.

[ananasjunges]

Dear James, I did not find this topic boring at all. I was not aware of this soft reset at certain ISO values and will have a look if that is the case on my camera as well. Thanks a lot for your videos!

[MKNYC_]

On my X100V I shoot at 640 no matter what so that I can use the DR400 setting. And yes, it helps dynamic range. And if it's too bright? ND filter built in, what a great camera.

[LuaCynthia]

Great feeling to see a new James video when opening YouTube

[goodwolf]

This is the only channel that I ALWAYS go full screen for.

[johnbaker]

I appreciate just how many of these videos are shot with the same camera and lens setup. It moves people to consider more their own style and philosophy, rather than gear.

That being said, I see that you list the Sigma 90mm f2.8 as a lens you use. It would be nice to see a video on this since I don't think you have one already.

Keep up the good work!

[washingtonradio]

I prefer to control the shutter and aperture and let the ISO be whatever, The only thing I will do sometimes is to use exposure compensation if I think the camera has picked the wrong ISO

[antonoat]

Well that made perfect sense to me! I do like how you always(intentionally) get bright exposures, this ensures excellent image quality!

[JonDiPietro]

This video was incredibly useful. I've only recently begun to understand that I've been doing exactly what you describe; trading sharpness for less noise and more dynamic range. I've tried to be more mindful of it, but this was a lightbulb moment when you explained your "speed of shooting" approach. It's diabolically simple, and I'm going to change my camera settings right now.

[wellingtoncrescent]

With modern sensors and de-noising software, I am happy to use manual shutter speed and aperture with autoISO, even if this is far from base ISO.

[tjsinva]

I don't use Sony, but do enjoy looking at the pictures. Carry on. 👍🥂

[TimSeraphiel]

As an Australian I laughed when you talked about not going out to shoot because it was too sunny. If we did that we'd never shoot anything. Our sunlight is more powerful too. 🌞

[sam]

On Fujis, the gain resets again on the second A/D converter at ISO 640 so ISO 640 has the same noise as ISO 320.

[michaelj.]

Believe it or not — very well explained!

[douglasadams]

Thanks James! I learned something today. I had never paid attention to the noise graphs, but learned my z7ii has lower noise at 400 and my z6 has lower noise at 800. Very useful.

[Thirsty_Fox]

A good explanation of a useful technique if your camera has dual-gain. I have found that a photo must be sharp first and foremost, ie. in-focus and without motion blur. I've definitely had to cull some great shots because of pushing shutter speed too far but I can't recall having to discard any for noise alone.

[tilerman]

Hi James, bit off topic but i've been camping in the Llyn Peninsula, right at the tip opposite Bardsey Island and the area is stunning. Never forget one morning the fog came in and not exaggerating it was so thick i couldn't see 2 metres in front of me, and the silence, amazing, a beautiful part of the country.