On 9/29/08, Andy Levy <andy.levy@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Unfortunately, many point & shoot cameras
> default to an automatic ISO setting, dropping you into a high ISO in
> lower light and getting you noise when you don't want it.
Traditionally (ie with film cameras) ISO is not a setting. It's the
film's sensitivity to light... the higher the ISO, the more quickly
the film reacts. With a simple point and shoot film camera (ie
removing other variables), a higher ISO film will "improve" action
shots and low-light shots, or at least reduce the motion blur. Add
other variables like aperature size, exposure time, lense
size/quality/zoom, etc, and you really need to fit the appropriate ISO
to your application for the best quality shot.
The ISO on digitals is a setting that modifies how quickly the CCD
sensor reacts to light. It tries to mimick the light sensitivity
variable you can achieve with film. Simliar to film (although for
different reasons), higher digital ISO settings will create more
grainy and therefore lower quality photos.
The entry in Wiki gets into a little more depth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_speed
Generally, the best quality film shot comes from a high quality large
lense paired with a low ISO film. Use with an appropriate exposure
time, with a tripod if necessary, and set the apperature to your
preference. If your digital has ISO settings, a lower ISO will give
you the best quality as long as you have enough light to support the
shot with your camera's hardware.
Don in CT
89 Dak Vert 318 NV3500 4x4
74 Dart Sport 340
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Oct 01 2008 - 00:13:23 EDT