Why can't ISO be more finely tuned?

2 years 10 months ago #716189 by Adam S
Am I missing something?  

Seems like the ability to fine tune ISO would be handy.  But there are such larger jumps, especially when you get to higher numbers.  


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2 years 10 months ago #716191 by Nikon Shooter
Easy Adam, tell your avatar to breathe by the nose!

I can tell you that you need to have a very primitive and exotic
camera not to have options that will make your avatar smile a-
gain… if only I knew what your gear is!

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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2 years 10 months ago #716197 by Adam S
ha ha ha, I've had this avatar a long time.  

I'm shooting with a Nikon Z6


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2 years 10 months ago #716200 by Nikon Shooter
That Z6 is offering you all the flexibility in the world in terms of ISO.

I would dare suggest you choose Auto ISO + min (lowest native) +
max… (say 1600) then forget all about it and your avatar will get
a smile. :P

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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2 years 10 months ago - 2 years 10 months ago #716201 by Nikon Shooter


Light is free… capturing it is not!
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2 years 10 months ago #716202 by Shadowfixer1

Adam S wrote: Am I missing something?  

Seems like the ability to fine tune ISO would be handy.  But there are such larger jumps, especially when you get to higher numbers.  

You say especially at higher numbers but in reality, each step is generally one stop. The fine tuning you are asking about is not there, because it's not needed. Exposure compensation will break it down from 1 stop to 1/3 stops. It's not as critical as you are thinking it is.
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2 years 10 months ago #716536 by fmw
ISO with digital is the same as ISO was for film.  The steps are based on one aperture stop per unit.  Since the aperture figure has to double (geometric progression) for the next stop the number gets pretty large after a while.  Shutter speeds work the same way with a similar geometric progression but in the opposite direction.  Exposure value, of course, includes both shutter speed and aperture.  If you change either of these two elements you need to change the other as well to maintain the same EV.  For example an exposure of f8 at 1/125 sec. is the same as f5.6 at 1/250 sec.  Other aspects of the image may change but the exposure value will be the same for both.

ISO is also a geometric progression.  For example a change of ISO from 100 to 200 represents one stop of exposure.  A Change from ISO 8000 to 16000 also represents one stop.  Doubling or halving the ISO affects the exposure value by one stop.  I hope i didn't confuse you.


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2 years 10 months ago #716541 by TCav
Some cameras allow you to use 1/3 stop increments when adjusting the ISO setting.

You need to remember that adjusting the ISO setting is accomplished by amplifying the signal from the image sensor, and that can't be accomplished much finer than it currently is, without making the camera extraordinarily expensive. Think McIntosh versus Pyle, in terms of audio amplifiers.


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2 years 10 months ago #716591 by Tim Wiener
Why?  


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