Jump to content

Welcome to NikonForums.com
Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!
Photo

Need help with ISO/SS settings going too high in Aperture priority

aperture priority iso shutter speed

  • Please log in to reply
6 replies to this topic

#1
placesiremember

placesiremember

    New Member

  • Forum Member
  • Pip
  • 1 posts
  • Country Flag

I have a Nikon D800. I shoot portraits and often use Aperture Priority. 

 

I have my ISO set to auto and my minimum shutter speed is set to 250, because my subjects are always moving (I photograph young kids).

I recently shot a child in front of a mural in bright morning sun using aperture 5.6. My camera chose shutter speed of 1/8000 and an ISO of 1400. 

Clearly I have something set incorrectly as this SS is way too high, jacking up the ISO and creating lots of noise in my image which I then have to take out  in post.

What am I doing wrong? I double checked my menu settings and can't figure out what to change.

 

Thank you!

 



#2
nikdood17

nikdood17

    Active Member

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 95 posts
  • Country Flag

I think you need to pick an ISO and an aperture and try again. You need to know which settings will work for what you want and not let the camera take flights of fancy. You're the photog here, not the camera. It does not have a clue what you really want. You need a hand held light meter or at least to take readings off the child's face, which I assume you want to come out right. Just because your car will make a U-turn on the freeway at 70 mph does not mean you should do that.



#3
dcbear78

dcbear78

    Forum Veteran

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 701 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationGladstone, Queensland
I'm a huge advocate for the semi-auto modes. But I'd never recommend having the camera pick two of your settings. Pick which one you want it to control and set the other two.

Giving the camera both shutter speed and ISO to work out more often than not ends up in erratic settings. As you've found out.

Set the ISO to a level that will give sufficiently fast shutter speed in dark areas you are shooting in to allow you to eliminate blur. Usually shutter speed can go fast enough should you then be in a bright location. But you've always got to be keeping an eye on things to make sure it's all working as it should.

#4
Cymon

Cymon

    Junior Member

  • Forum Member
  • PipPip
  • 12 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationEast Grinstead

I have a slightly different view, it's based on my experience of the D810. But before I do I want to share that I use Auto ISO a lot on my D5's and D4s but I have never had so much luck with the D810. I always use my D810 in full manual mode, the massive amount of pixels on the sensor to me means noise.

 

I would go to full manual mode on the D800/810's and stick to it 



#5
dcbear78

dcbear78

    Forum Veteran

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 701 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationGladstone, Queensland

I have a slightly different view, it's based on my experience of the D810. But before I do I want to share that I use Auto ISO a lot on my D5's and D4s but I have never had so much luck with the D810. I always use my D810 in full manual mode, the massive amount of pixels on the sensor to me means noise.

I would go to full manual mode on the D800/810's and stick to it


Do you use auto-ISO along with aperture or shutter priority?

#6
Cymon

Cymon

    Junior Member

  • Forum Member
  • PipPip
  • 12 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationEast Grinstead

No. However, I do use Auto-ISO in manual mode on my D4's and D5's. The D810 is such a different camera to use, I am going to say it needs a little more thought than other cameras because of the high res capabilities the camera has. 

 

I love my D810, but I only use it in certain situations like portraits, landscapes or a few other static shots.



#7
wildwilli

wildwilli

    Junior Member

  • Forum Member
  • PipPip
  • 17 posts
  • Country Flag

Honestly not to be mean you need to start using Manual.  Learn that then you will start having much more success using other modes.   







Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: aperture priority, iso, shutter speed