Question about ISO

[machineman9]

My sister has a Nikon Coolpix S500 camera. I am using it tomorow (get some pictures from gliding, if they don't cancel!) so I figured I would test it, just to get used to it so I can get some good shots.

My room is, umm, fairly bright. Not pitch black, but not so bright it hurts. The camera has "ISO2000" (quote from front of camera)


Whenever I take a photo in 'High ISO' mode, it always comes out like really noised up. Nasty shot. Lots of grey speckles and the sort... Like I am trying to shoot in much darker and worse settings.


I thought a high ISO was supposed to prevent this? Am I doing it wrong?


Can someone please explain to me how exactly ISO settings should be used?


Cheers

[Mictheslik]

ISO harks back to the days of different types of film, each designed to work at different speeds for different lighting conditions. High ISO's will mean that your shutter speed can be reduced and as a result are more useful in darker conditions. However, because of this they also result in a lot of grain, as the sensor cannot form as detailed a picture as using a longer shutter speed......

so to put it simply, the higher the ISO, the more grain but the shorter the shutter speed (at a fixed aperture)

On my 400D I have a choice of 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600. Of these I always use 100 or 200 for aircraft to get the best quality (and it is very rarely so dark that I have to go above 200). In other circumstances (shooting indoors etc. ) I'll knock it up to 800 or even 1600, which despite producing quite a bit of grain will be better than a blurred photo

.mic

[Hagar]

This might explain it. http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/

The Coolpix S500 has a 1/2.5-in sensor. Probably best to leave it on automatic.

[machineman9]

Ah right I get ya! I just think I read somewhere that higher was generally better.

[machineman9]

This might explain it. http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/

The Coolpix S500 has a 1/2.5-in sensor. Probably best to leave it on automatic.

Could you explain how the sensor would depict whether auto or selected is better?

[Hagar]

It all depends on the light conditions. Providing you have it set on the correct preset the auto option is probably better. At least it will give you some idea of where to start from.

[machineman9]

Alright then, cheers.

Probably won't need to bother with it much tomorow, but perhaps when I get my camera at Christmas.


Will see which photos I can get (as I am meant to be learning whilst up there, too. Haha)

[Hagar]

Will see which photos I can get (as I am meant to be learning whilst up there, too. Haha)

I would leave the camera at home. If you really want to take it give it to a friend to look after while you're in the air.

[machineman9]

Will see which photos I can get (as I am meant to be learning whilst up there, too. Haha)

I would leave the camera at home.

Well lots of people take pictures too. I think for what I am doing I get something like 30 minutes in the air atleast. If I cover all the bits (Roll and pitch, maybe rudder too... The things I've done in my other 90 minutes of flight... but this time I am learning about them) then I will try and get a few snaps on the remainder of the flight. It should be fairly easy, I have done more complex things on my first powered flights than I am doing here in my gliding flights... So the lessons bit should be done fairly quickly.

Flying suits... Camera sized pockets for a reason

[Hagar]

Well lots of people take pictures too.

I know that & to be honest it worries me. Call me old-fashioned but I don't think flying lessons & cameras go together.

This is the type of camera I had when I was on my gliding course.


Can't imagine hiding that in my flying suit.

[machineman9]

Well, if it makes you feel better, it is a Glider Induction Course. No mention of 'lesson' anywhere in it  ;)

Just practising things before I go on my scholarship - hopefully next year.

Pitch, roll, stalls etc. I mean, I started 'flying' before I did gliding. I flew around a small mountain on my first flight (roll and pitch) then on my second flight I developed that further. On my third flight I was weaving through clouds. A bit of a kick in the teeth to have to go back and learn the basics on these things I've already practised... but if it makes me a better pilot then I will.

Develop my flying first... Get some photos later. But there isn't that much to learn at my level. Just revising previous things mostly.

[Hagar]

I'm sure you know what you're doing. If it was me I would make the most of every minute. Sod the camera.

[machineman9]

I'm sure you know what you're doing. If it was me I would make the most of every minute. Sod the camera.

It may turn out that way when I get there... In a rare case I might not even be allowed to take it onboard. But, we will see.

Be nice to get some photos, even if only on the ground.

[Hagar]

Take some on the ground by all means. If you do take some in the air don't forget to turn the flash off.

[machineman9]

Take some on the ground by all means. If you do take some in the air don't forget to turn the flash off.

Yeh that is definately a good thing to check. Bad news is written all over having flash photography in an aircraft.