What maximum ISO to use on K-70 default auto ISO range?

**OldChE** · 12-30-2017, 11:34 PM

I'm curious to see what you experienced K-70 folks use for the upper limit of the auto ISO range. After playing around with my new K-70, I think I'll use 12,800 as the upper limit (i.e., range set to 100 - 12,800). I set custom ranges for noise reduction, with no noise reduction at low ISOs, NR=1 for 6400 and above, and I think NR=2 at 12,800. Certainly I don't see any issue using the 6400 level, so I'll go one stop higher to 12,800. I seem to be getting pretty usable images (at least for sharing on the web) at the high ISO settings, for my not too critical standards. In a pinch I think I could accept the 25,600 shots in very low light, maybe even a stop higher.

zoolander · 12-31-2017, 12:58 AM - **2 Likes**

I just set my K-3 to the highest it goes. When you set a limit, the camera won't shoot, and that annoys me. I'd rather it take a grainy picture than appear to be jammed up. Because then I get confused as to why its not firing, then I start hunting around in settings to see what I've done wrong. I'd rather see the picture pop up on the back of the screen for 3 or 5 seconds, and go yep, that looks yuck, and then adjust another parameter.

When I bought my first dslr (nikon) a friend told me to do just that, and not shoot above ISO 1600, the camera wouldn't take the picture, and I was confused. I do this even on my Fuji camera and max out the ISO so's that it always shoots. Unfortunately in Fuji the base ISO is 200, and when you broaden the ISO range it then starts at ISO 400 ....which is whats stupid about my fuji cameras.

MrB1 · 12-31-2017, 06:24 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by zoolander

....When you set a limit, the camera won't shoot, and that annoys me. I'd rather it take a grainy picture than appear to be jammed up. Because then I get confused as to why its not firing, then I start hunting around in settings to see what I've done wrong....

You appear to have found a setting that I have yet to discover. My camera (K-3 and K-70) is always able to fire the shot, however low the upper limit in Auto ISO.

OldChE - my K-70 is set at Auto ISO 100 to 6400 for grab shots. However, for considered shooting, I usually use manual ISO, setting it as low as feasible for the subject and scene.

whafrog · 12-31-2017, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by MrB1

OldChE - my K-70 is set at Auto ISO 100 to 6400 for grab shots. However, for considered shooting, I usually use manual ISO, setting it as low as feasible for the subject and scene.

That's what I do. For birds, where detail matters, even 3200 is a bit much for me, but I'd rather allow the shot.

Originally posted by OldChE

I set custom ranges for noise reduction, with no noise reduction at low ISOs, NR=1 for 6400 and above, and I think NR=2 at 12,800.

Interesting thought about custom NR, I will have to try that out.

**OldChE** · 01-01-2018, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by zoolander

I just set my K-3 to the highest it goes. When you set a limit, the camera won't shoot, and that annoys me. I'd rather it take a grainy picture than appear to be jammed up. Because then I get confused as to why its not firing, then I start hunting around in settings to see what I've done wrong. I'd rather see the picture pop up on the back of the screen for 3 or 5 seconds, and go yep, that looks yuck, and then adjust another parameter.

When I bought my first dslr (nikon) a friend told me to do just that, and not shoot above ISO 1600, the camera wouldn't take the picture, and I was confused. I do this even on my Fuji camera and max out the ISO so's that it always shoots. Unfortunately in Fuji the base ISO is 200, and when you broaden the ISO range it then starts at ISO 400 ....which is whats stupid about my fuji cameras.

Originally posted by MrB1

You appear to have found a setting that I have yet to discover. My camera (K-3 and K-70) is always able to fire the shot, however low the upper limit in Auto ISO.

OldChE - my K-70 is set at Auto ISO 100 to 6400 for grab shots. However, for considered shooting, I usually use manual ISO, setting it as low as feasible for the subject and scene.

Originally posted by whafrog

That's what I do. For birds, where detail matters, even 3200 is a bit much for me, but I'd rather allow the shot.

Interesting thought about custom NR, I will have to try that out.

Thanks to all for your comments.

I've not found that the camera refuses to shoot whatever the max ISO, but if I leave the Max ISO at a very high value it tends to push up the ISO and shoot at a rather fast shutter speed. I'd rather it drop the shutter to a slower speed, since the stabilization works so well (i.e., rather shoot at 1/15s at ISO 400 vs. 1/120s at ISO 3200).

I too was using 6400 as my max ISO, but after some testing I think the quality is acceptable at higher for my purposes, at least in general, so I think I'll try 12800 for a while. As the rest of you have said, on occasion when I'm particular about image quality I'll shift into manual ISO anyway.

I found the advice on the custom NR settings here on the forum.

I should have indicated that I'm usually shooting in JPEG.

Thanks --> Richard.

**OldChE** · 02-03-2018, 07:25 PM

Note to all: I've been using ISO 12,800 as my maximum default setting, I'm pretty happy with the results so far. This one was with the Pentax K-70, 18-135 WR zoom at 78mm, 1/80s at F5.6, ISO 12,800, Bold Monochrome digital filter.

**Knock** · 02-17-2018, 08:43 AM - **1 Like**

@OldChE....your results at 12800 are very impressive. The advances with the capabilities to capture quality images in high iso have been very impressive over the years. I remember with my old kx and k10d when I wasn't comfortable taking them much above iso 400. The k70's high iso performance has had a significant impact on what, where, and when I can shoot. For me, being able to trust a higher iso was game changing.

**OldChE** · 02-19-2018, 08:01 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Knock

@OldChE....your results at 12800 are very impressive. The advances with the capabilities to capture quality images in high iso have been very impressive over the years. I remember with my old kx and k10d when I wasn't comfortable taking them much above iso 400. The k70's high iso performance has had a significant impact on what, where, and when I can shoot. For me, being able to trust a higher iso was game changing.

Yes, I've been quite pleased with the K70 up to my 12800 limit, and with the camera and lens (18-135) overall. I spent a lot of time debating between the K70 and the KP, and I've been quite happy with my choice. Some day perhaps I'll get a full frame DSLR as well (the K1 or whatever the new model will be), but I look forward to having a lot of fun with the K70.

12-30-2017, 11:34 PM	#1
OldChE Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chicago area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484	What maximum ISO to use on K-70 default auto ISO range? I'm curious to see what you experienced K-70 folks use for the upper limit of the auto ISO range. After playing around with my new K-70, I think I'll use 12,800 as the upper limit (i.e., range set to 100 - 12,800). I set custom ranges for noise reduction, with no noise reduction at low ISOs, NR=1 for 6400 and above, and I think NR=2 at 12,800. Certainly I don't see any issue using the 6400 level, so I'll go one stop higher to 12,800. I seem to be getting pretty usable images (at least for sharing on the web) at the high ISO settings, for my not too critical standards. In a pinch I think I could accept the 25,600 shots in very low light, maybe even a stop higher.

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12-31-2017, 12:58 AM - 2 Likes	#2
zoolander Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Gold Coast Photos: Albums Posts: 351	I just set my K-3 to the highest it goes. When you set a limit, the camera won't shoot, and that annoys me. I'd rather it take a grainy picture than appear to be jammed up. Because then I get confused as to why its not firing, then I start hunting around in settings to see what I've done wrong. I'd rather see the picture pop up on the back of the screen for 3 or 5 seconds, and go yep, that looks yuck, and then adjust another parameter. When I bought my first dslr (nikon) a friend told me to do just that, and not shoot above ISO 1600, the camera wouldn't take the picture, and I was confused. I do this even on my Fuji camera and max out the ISO so's that it always shoots. Unfortunately in Fuji the base ISO is 200, and when you broaden the ISO range it then starts at ISO 400 ....which is whats stupid about my fuji cameras.

12-31-2017, 06:24 AM - 2 Likes	#3
MrB1 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 845	Originally posted by zoolander ....When you set a limit, the camera won't shoot, and that annoys me. I'd rather it take a grainy picture than appear to be jammed up. Because then I get confused as to why its not firing, then I start hunting around in settings to see what I've done wrong.... You appear to have found a setting that I have yet to discover. My camera (K-3 and K-70) is always able to fire the shot, however low the upper limit in Auto ISO. OldChE - my K-70 is set at Auto ISO 100 to 6400 for grab shots. However, for considered shooting, I usually use manual ISO, setting it as low as feasible for the subject and scene.

12-31-2017, 08:46 AM	#4
whafrog Guest	Originally posted by MrB1 OldChE - my K-70 is set at Auto ISO 100 to 6400 for grab shots. However, for considered shooting, I usually use manual ISO, setting it as low as feasible for the subject and scene. That's what I do. For birds, where detail matters, even 3200 is a bit much for me, but I'd rather allow the shot. Originally posted by OldChE I set custom ranges for noise reduction, with no noise reduction at low ISOs, NR=1 for 6400 and above, and I think NR=2 at 12,800. Interesting thought about custom NR, I will have to try that out.

01-01-2018, 06:20 PM	#5
OldChE Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chicago area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484 Original Poster	Originally posted by zoolander I just set my K-3 to the highest it goes. When you set a limit, the camera won't shoot, and that annoys me. I'd rather it take a grainy picture than appear to be jammed up. Because then I get confused as to why its not firing, then I start hunting around in settings to see what I've done wrong. I'd rather see the picture pop up on the back of the screen for 3 or 5 seconds, and go yep, that looks yuck, and then adjust another parameter. When I bought my first dslr (nikon) a friend told me to do just that, and not shoot above ISO 1600, the camera wouldn't take the picture, and I was confused. I do this even on my Fuji camera and max out the ISO so's that it always shoots. Unfortunately in Fuji the base ISO is 200, and when you broaden the ISO range it then starts at ISO 400 ....which is whats stupid about my fuji cameras. Originally posted by MrB1 You appear to have found a setting that I have yet to discover. My camera (K-3 and K-70) is always able to fire the shot, however low the upper limit in Auto ISO. OldChE - my K-70 is set at Auto ISO 100 to 6400 for grab shots. However, for considered shooting, I usually use manual ISO, setting it as low as feasible for the subject and scene. Originally posted by whafrog That's what I do. For birds, where detail matters, even 3200 is a bit much for me, but I'd rather allow the shot. Interesting thought about custom NR, I will have to try that out. Thanks to all for your comments. I've not found that the camera refuses to shoot whatever the max ISO, but if I leave the Max ISO at a very high value it tends to push up the ISO and shoot at a rather fast shutter speed. I'd rather it drop the shutter to a slower speed, since the stabilization works so well (i.e., rather shoot at 1/15s at ISO 400 vs. 1/120s at ISO 3200). I too was using 6400 as my max ISO, but after some testing I think the quality is acceptable at higher for my purposes, at least in general, so I think I'll try 12800 for a while. As the rest of you have said, on occasion when I'm particular about image quality I'll shift into manual ISO anyway. I found the advice on the custom NR settings here on the forum. I should have indicated that I'm usually shooting in JPEG. Thanks --> Richard.

02-17-2018, 08:43 AM - 1 Like	#7
Knock Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 467	@OldChE....your results at 12800 are very impressive. The advances with the capabilities to capture quality images in high iso have been very impressive over the years. I remember with my old kx and k10d when I wasn't comfortable taking them much above iso 400. The k70's high iso performance has had a significant impact on what, where, and when I can shoot. For me, being able to trust a higher iso was game changing.

02-19-2018, 08:01 PM - 1 Like	#8
OldChE Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chicago area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484 Original Poster	Originally posted by Knock @OldChE....your results at 12800 are very impressive. The advances with the capabilities to capture quality images in high iso have been very impressive over the years. I remember with my old kx and k10d when I wasn't comfortable taking them much above iso 400. The k70's high iso performance has had a significant impact on what, where, and when I can shoot. For me, being able to trust a higher iso was game changing. Yes, I've been quite pleased with the K70 up to my 12800 limit, and with the camera and lens (18-135) overall. I spent a lot of time debating between the K70 and the KP, and I've been quite happy with my choice. Some day perhaps I'll get a full frame DSLR as well (the K1 or whatever the new model will be), but I look forward to having a lot of fun with the K70.