ISO? What’s ISO?

ISO is shown in numbers, and is an indication of how sensetive the film or digital sensor is to light.  If you’ve ever bought film, you’ve probably seen numbers like iso 100, 200, 400 and so on.  The higher the ISO, the more sensetive to light the film or sensor is, and the more grain (film) or noise (digital) the image will have.

Because there is more light sensetivity at higher ISO values, one can use higher shutter speeds and/or smaller apertures to perhaps, freeze the subject in low light situations or gain greater depth of field.  Take care with ISO though, the higher you go, the more noise you get.  Software can help reduce or remove this noise, but this has it’s limits.  You may also wish to use use high ISO to take advantage of the creative effect that noise can bring. Experiment with it.

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The images above have had the ISO increased by 1 stop for each. Open them up and see how the noise affects the image.  Take note of the darker portions which is where the noise will generally be more noticeable.

ISO 100 is generally accepted as the norm and will give the cleanest images. Some digital cameras now go down to ISO 50.  Consumer digital cameras have a general range of ISO 100 to around ISO 3200.  Sensor type and size also affects how noisy an image will be a comparitive ISO’s. for instance, a £100 point and shoot camera will most likely be very noisy at ISO 400, whereas the full frame sensor of something like a Canon 5D will produce very clean images at ISO 800 or more.

Most consumers will buy a camera to take snapshots, leaving it in full auto mode. in this mode, the camera will select the ISO that is appropiate (trying to keep as low as possible). Many digital cameras, including the lower end point and shoot types will allow at least some manual control, and thus will allow ISO adjustment.

When choosing which ISO to use, there are a few factors i think of to determine this, these include -

• How bright is the scene?
• Am i using flash?
• Do i want the ambient light to register?
• Am i after a clean image, or would i like to introduce noise/grain for artistic effect?

If there is lots of light, my subject is stationary or fairly slow moving, and i want little to no noise i’ll proably use ISO 100 – 400.

Some situations which may call for increased ISO include the following -

• Indoor events such as a concert or sports event
• Wedding ceremony where there may be a restriction on using flash (which has an added benefit of being able to freeze the subjects motion)
• Art galleries or exhibitions where flash use may be prohibited

Any scene where the mood of the situation is better captured without flash will usually also require pushing the ISO up.

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ISO is as important a tool in photography as shutter speed and aperture. learn it, use it. Experiment and have fun with it.  Go as low and as high as you can go, seeing how it affects your images. Remember, when adjusting ISO, you will need to adjust your shutter speed and/or aperture as well to maintain the exposure you’re after (remember, the correct exposure is not always the creatively correct exposure).

Hi there. canon have announced the arrival of their new camera – the 60D.  It looks rather sexy, so lets take a look at the specs -

Specifications

Type
Digital, single-lens reflex, AF/AE camera with built-in flash

Recording Media
SD/SDHC/SDXC card, via external media (USB v.2.0 hard drive, or via Wireless LAN (Eye-Fi card*))

*Canon cameras are not guaranteed to support Eye-Fi card functions, including wireless transfer. In case of an issue with the Eye-Fi card, please consult with the card manufacturer. The use of Eye-Fi cards may not be approved in all regions, or from one region to another, please contact the card manufacturer for status of approval in the country/region of use.

Image Format
0.88 x 0.59 in. / 22.3 x 14.9mm (APS-C size)

Compatible Lenses
Canon EF lenses (including EF-S lenses)
(35mm-equivalent focal length is approx. 1.6x the lens focal length)

Lens Mount
Canon EF mount

Pixels
Effective pixels: Approx. 18.0 Megapixels: 5200 (H) x 3462 (V) pixels

Total Pixels
Total pixels: Approx. 19.0 Megapixels: 5432 (H) x 3492 (V) pixels

Aspect Ratio
3:2 (Horizontal: Vertical)

Color Filter System
RGB primary color filters

Low Pass Filter
Fixed position in front of the CMOS sensor

Dust Deletion Feature

• Self Cleaning Sensor Unit
• Dust Delete Data appended to the captured image
• Manual cleaning of sensor

Recording Format
Design rule for Camera File System 2.0 and Exif 2.3

File Size

• Large/Fine: Approx. 17.90 Megapixels (5184 x 3456)
• Medium/Fine: Approx. 8.00 Megapixels (3456 x 2304)
• Small 1/Normal: Approx. 4.50 Megapixels (2592 x 1728 )
• Small 2/Fine: Approx. 2.50 Megapixels (1920 x 1280)
• Small 3/Fine: Approx. 0.35 Megapixels (720 x 480)
• RAW: Approx. 17.90 Megapixels (5184 x 3456)
• M-RAW: Approx. 10.10 Megapixels (3888 x 2592)S-RAW: Approx. 4.50 Megapixels (2592 x 1728 )

Exact file sizes depend on the subject, ISO speed, Picture Style, etc.

Recording Functions
With the WFT-E3A attached, image recording to the CF card and to the USB external media connected to the WFT-E3A will be possible as follows:
(1) Standard
(2) Automatic switching of recording media
(3) Separate recordings according to image-recording quality
(4) Recording images having the same size

Backup Recording
N/A

File Numbering
Consecutive numbering, auto reset, manual reset.

RAW + JPEG Simultaneous Recording
Provided (sRAW+JPEG also possible)

Color Space
sRGB, Adobe RGB

Picture Style
Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Def. 1-3
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Settings
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature setting

Auto White Balance
Auto white balance with the image sensor

Color Temperature Compensation

• White balance correction: ±9 stops in full-stop increments
• White balance bracketing: ±3 stops in full-stop increments
• Blue/amber direction or magenta/green direction possible

Color Temperature Information Transmission
Provided

Eye-level pentaprism

Coverage
Vertical/Horizontal approx. 96%

Magnification
Approx. 0.95x (-1m-1 with 50mm lens at infinity) / 27.0° angle of view

Eye Point
Approx. 22mm (At -1m-1 from eyepiece lens center)

Dioptric Adjustment Correction
-3.0 to +1.0m-1 (diopter)

Focusing Screen
Interchangeable (Ef-D: Grid lines, Ef-S: Point of focus, Ef-A standard focusing screen provided)

Mirror
Quick-return half mirror (transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60)

Viewfinder Information
AF information (AF points and focus confirmation light), Exposure information (Shutter speed, aperture, ISO speed (always displayed), AE lock, exposure level, Spot metering circle, exposure warning), Flash information (Flash ready, flash exposure compensation, high-speed sync, FE lock, red-eye reduction light), Image information (Highlight tone priority (D+), Monochrome shooting, maximum burst (2-digit display), white balance correction, card information), Electronic level (Horizontal only), Battery check

Depth Of Field Preview
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button

AF Points
9 (Cross-type, Center AF point with dual cross sensor for f/2.8 )

AF Working Range
EV 0-20 (at 73°F/23°C with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)

Focusing Modes
Autofocus, One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF, Manual focusing (MF)

AF Point Selection
Automatic selection, manual selection

Selected AF Point Display
Superimposed in viewfinder and indicated on LCD panel

AF Assist Beam
Small series of flashes fired by built-in flash
Effective range: Approx. 13.1 ft./4.0m at center, approx. 11.5 ft./3.5m at periphery*.

* With an EOS-dedicated Speedlite attached, the Speedlite’s AF-assist beam is emitted instead.

Metering Modes
Max. aperture TTL metering with 63-zone SPC with the following selectable modes:

* Evaluative metering (linkable to all AF points)
* Partial metering (approx. 6.5% of viewfinder at center)
* Spot metering (approx. 2.8% of viewfinder at center)
* Center-Weighted average metering

Metering Range
EV 0-20 (at 73°F/23°C with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)

Exposure Control Systems
Program AE (Shiftable), Shutter-priority AE (Safety shift possible), Aperture-priority AE (Safety shift possible), Manual exposure, Bulb, Full Auto, Flash Off, Creative Auto, Programmed Image Control modes (Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait), E-TTL II Autoflash Program AE (Evaluative metering, Averaged metering)

ISO Speed Range
ISO 100 – 6400 (in 1/3-stop or whole-stop increments)
- ISO 12800 can be enabled with a Custom Function.
- With [Highlight tone priority], the ISO speed range will be automatically set within 200-6400.

1. In Creative Zone modes, the maximum settable ISO speed (400-6400) will vary within the automatic ISO speed range.
2. If overexposure would occur with fill flash, ISO 100 will be the lowest set.
3. In the (P) and Basic Zone modes (except Night Portrait), bounce flash will be set automatically within ISO 400-1600 (or maximum ISO speed limit).

Exposure Compensation
Manual: ±5 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
AEB: ±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
* Indicated up to ±3 stops on the LCD panel and in the viewfinder.

AE Lock
1. Auto AE lock – In the One-Shot AF mode with evaluative metering, AE lock takes effect when focus is achieved.
2. Manual AE lock – With AE lock button. (AE lock is updated each time you press the button.) Enabled in all metering modes.

Shutter
Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically-controlled 1/8000 to 1/60 sec., X-sync at 1/250 sec.
1/8000 to 30 sec., bulb (Total shutter speed range. Available range varies by shooting mode) Soft-touch electromagnetic release 10-sec. or 2-sec. delay (self-timer/remote control) For Remote Switch RS-60E3

Type
Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically-controlled

Shutter Speeds
1/8000 to 1/60 sec., X-sync at 1/250 sec.
1/8000 to 30 sec., bulb (Total shutter speed range. Available range varies by shooting mode)

Shutter Release
Soft-touch electromagnetic release

Self Timer
10-sec. or 2-sec. delay (self-timer/remote control)

Remote Control
For Remote Switch RS-60E3

Flash Type
Auto pop-up, retractable, built-in flash in the pentaprism

Guide Number
43/13 (ISO 100, in feet/meters)

Recycling Time
Approx. 3 sec.

Flash Ready Indicator
Flash-ready icon lights in viewfinder

Flash Coverage
Up to 17mm focal length (equivalent to approx. 28mm in 135 format)

FE Lock
Provided

Flash Exposure Compensation
Up to ±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
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Zooming to Match Focal Length
Provided

Flash Metering
E-TTL II autoflash

Flash Exposure Compensation
±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments

FE Lock
Provided

External Flash Settings
Flash function settings, Flash C.Fn settings

PC Terminal
None

Drive Modes
Single, high-speed continuous, low-speed continuous, 10-sec. self-timer/ remote control, or 2-sec. self-timer/remote control

Continuous Shooting Speed
High-speed: Max. 5.3 shots/sec. (approx.)
Low-speed: Max. 3.0 shots/sec. (approx.)

Maximum Burst
JPEG (Large/Fine): approx. 58
RAW: approx. 16
RAW+JPEG (Large/Fine): approx. 7

1. The number of possible shots and maximum burst apply to a 4GB SD card based on Canon’s testing standards.
2. The image file size, number of possible shots, and maximum burst will vary depending on the shooting conditions (aspect ratio 3:2, subject, memory card brand, ISO speed, Picture Style, etc.).
3. The “F” after the number indicates that continuous shooting is possible until the card becomes full.
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Shooting Modes
(1) Live View shooting
(2) Remote Live View shooting (with a personal computer installed with EOS Utility)

Focusing
Autofocus (One-Shot AF)
1. Live mode – One-point, contrast AF. Switching to another AF point possible.
2. Face Detection Live mode – Face Detection, Contrast AF. Face selectable.
3. Quick mode – Nine-point, phase-difference AF, same as normal shooting.

Manual focus – Magnify the image by 5x or 10x and focus manually.

Metering Modes
Real-time Evaluative metering with the image sensor

Metering Range
EV 0-20 (at 73°F/23°C with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)
* AE lock possible.
* The active metering time can be changed.

Magnified View
By 5x or 10x at AF point position

Grid Display
Provided (Two-type grid displays)

Silent Shooting
Provided (Mode 1 and Mode 2)

LCD Type
TFT color, liquid-crystal monitor

Monitor Size
Wide 3.0-inch (Screen aspect ratio of 3:2)

Coverage
Approx. 100%
Viewing angle: Approx. 160°

Brightness Control
7 levels provided

Interface Languages
25 (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Ukraine, Turkish, Arabic, Thai, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
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Display Format
Single image display (Two types of single-image full display and two types of shooting information display), Index display (4-image index and 9-image index), Jump display (1/10/100 images, shooting date, by folder, video, stills, rating), AF point display, Histogram (1. Brightness 2. RGB), Magnify zoom display (1.5x to 10x enabled in 15 steps), Rotated display (Manual, Auto) Slide Show (Image selection: Playback according to All images, Date, Folder, Movies, Stills, or Rating; Display time: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, or 20 sec.; Repeat: Enable/Disable; Transition effect: Off, Slide in, Fade 1, Fade 2)

Highlight Alert
With single-image display (Info.) and single-image display, overexposed highlight areas will blink

Protection
Erase protection can be applied/canceled for a single image, all images in a folder, or all images in the card

Erase
Erase single image, erase selected images, erase all images on folder, erase all images in a card, or erase only unprotected images

Compatible Printers
PictBridge-compatible printers

Printable Images
JPEG images compliant to Design rule for Camera File System 2.0 and Exif 2.3 (DPOF printing possible) and RAW images captured with the EOS 60D
* Video footage cannot be printed. (um…..really?)

Easy Print feature
Provided

DPOF
Version 1.1 compatible

Compatible Images
Direct image transfer with the camera has been abolished since the personal computers’ OS-based support has become adequate for image transfers.

Custom Functions
Total 20

Camera User Settings
Register under Mode Dial’s setting

My Menu Registration
Up to six top-tier menu options and Custom Function settings can be registered

Battery
One Battery Pack LP-E6
AC power can be supplied via AC Adapter Kit ACK-E6
With Battery Grip BG-E9 attached, two battery packs (LP-E6) can be used. Six AA-size batteries can be used.

Battery Check
Auto

Power Saving
Provided. Power turns off after 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 or 30 min.

Date/Time Battery
Built-in secondary battery
When fully-charged, the date/time can be maintained for about three months.

Start-up Time
Approx. 0.1 sec. (Based on CIPA testing standards)

Dimensions (W x H x D)
Approx. 5.69 x 4.17 x 3.09 in./144.5 x 105.8 x 78.6mm

Weight
755g / 26.6 oz (CIPA)
675g / 23.8 oz (body only)

Working Temperature Range
32-104°F/0-40°C

Working Humidity Range
85% or less

As you know (i hope!), we have discussed shutter speed and ISO and how they affect your images. Today, we will look at the final part of the triangle, Aperture. Without doubt, aperture is the most creative of the 3 with shutter speed coming a very close 2nd. Changing your aperture can turn an image from being flat and dull to full of life, dimension and intrigue.  So, lets look at what aperture is all about.

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Aperture, big or small?

In simple terms, the aperture is the size of the hole in your lens.

When you press the shutter release to take an image, the aperture blades in the lens open up to the size of aperture you have set in your camera. This hole allows light in so the sensor can see the scene or subject you are pointing at.

The smaller the number (e.g. f1.4) the larger the hole and the more light gets in, the larger the number (e.g. f11) the smaller the hole and less light gets in.

Aperture is measured in f stops. Depending on the lens, these can go from f1.0 to around f22. A typical 50mm lens would probably have a range around f1.8 to f22.  Moving 1 full stop up or down either doubles or halves the amount of light entering the lens. For instance, going from f2 to f2.8 would halve the amount of light hitting the sensor.

Be aware that changing your shutter speed 1 stop up or down also doubles or halves the light, as does ISO, so if you adjust one, you would need to adjust one of the others in the opposite direction to keep the same exposure.  Not many photographers i know make a habit of adjusting ISO regularly (generally preferring to set it once to suit the scene) and mostly just use shutter speed and aperture.

Like with guitars, the top string is at the bottom, the low E is at the top, going up the neck is actually going down towards the body..and so on – aperture has it’s numbers backwards.  smaller means bigger.  at first it’s confusing but you will soon get the hang of it.

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Aperture, the creative side

The main ‘creative’ thing that aperture affects when you take an image is something called depth of field.  Depth of field is basically how much of the image is in and out of focus. A small aperture (large F number) will have most, if not all of the image in sharp focus, and a large aperture (small F number) will only have part of the image (wherever you focus on specifically) in focus.  Other factors determine how much or how little is in focus for any given aperture, such as subject distance, more on that later.

In the images below, i shot the same scene 4 times with differing apertures. They go in 2 stop intervals from f1.4 to f11 (f1.4, f2.8, f5.6, f11).

Click each image and notice how the background is more and more in focus as the aperture is decreased (larger f number).  If the background was closer or i had focussed on something further away, then the background would appear much more in focus.

The best way to learn how aperture control can make such an impact to your images is to go out and experiment.  Get yourself in manual control, set the largest aperture your lens has, and shoot something, then shoot it again, reducing your aperture each time. Remember in manual control, you will need to adjust your shutter speed and/or ISO to get the same exposure or you could pop yourself in AV mode – aperture priority – and just adjust aperture, the camera will sort the rest out for you.

Have fun and happy shooting!

When i bought my first DSLR, i admit i was more than a little intimidated by all the settings, icons, knobs and buttons. Now, it’s mostly second nature, and largely, once you know what’s going on one camera, the rest are pretty similar.
Read the rest of this entry »

Hopefully, you will have seen the article on the exposure triangle. In the article, we take a brief look at Shutter speed, ISO and Aperture. In this article, we drill down a little more on shutter speed and how it affects the images you produce. Read the rest of this entry »