What is the maximum ISO you typically use on your K-70?

bladerunner6 · 08-02-2018, 01:43 PM - **1 Like**

Anybody have any feelings on this?

Thanks.

MrMojo · 08-02-2018, 02:24 PM - **1 Like**

When I had one, 1600-3200 without thought. After that, some effort in PP was required.
Not to say i always shot at 1600, I'm an old film winder so low ISO = Good Thing. But no qualms about doing it to get the shot, for example with long glass and shady conditions.
I think of the K110, K10, K50, K70, K5 & K3 i own/owned, it handled high ISO the best by a good margin. Probably just the software inside the camera's processing engine improving over time.

**darylk** · 08-02-2018, 02:27 PM

3200 as a Max default on my K-1. Instead of going much higher, I typically underexpose if needed to retain adequate shutter speed and boost exposure in post. The K-1 is pretty much ISO invariant, so avoiding boosting in-camera ISO/gain helps preserve overall dynamic range.

LightBug · 08-02-2018, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by bladerunner6

Anybody have any feelings on this?

Thanks.

K-S2 ISO 6400.
A7r ISO 12800.

**beachgardener** · 08-02-2018, 02:42 PM - **1 Like**

K-5 and K-3, both I don't like going over 3200, prefer to keep between 80 and 400, sometimes stretch to 800.

rickc118 · 08-02-2018, 03:31 PM

I try not to go over 3200 (ISO range 100 - 3200 set as default) on my K-70.

MrB1 · 08-02-2018, 03:46 PM

As the title refers to the K-70, mine is set to Auto ISO 200-6400 for natural light shots.

Philip

**BigMackCam** · 08-02-2018, 03:47 PM - **3 Likes**

It depends on your appetite for post-processing, the software tools you're using, your skill in using them and your expectations of the final result - including the physical size and intended medium for reproduction.

I can't speak knowledgeably for the K-70, but I frequently shoot my K-3 and K-3II at ISO 6400 without any qualms whatsoever. I shoot RAW, and expect to do some colour noise reduction at higher ISOs. Depending on cropping and the final reproduction size, I add some mild luminance noise reduction too. After processing, such images typically display well on my 17" laptop and 23" desktop monitors, and - from a sensible viewing distance - my 40" LCD TV.

I have plenty of shots taken at sensitivities above ISO 6400 that are more than serviceable... right up to ISO 20,000, in some cases. But reproduction size is severely limited for many of those.

My approach for higher ISO work is to use TAv mode, and let the ISO float as high as necessary based on my shutter speed and aperture settings. Those are non-negotiable aspects for me to get the creative results I want in terms of motion capture / movement blurring and depth of field. If I end up with one or more shots at ISO settings that are unusable because of that, so be it. It's no loss, since I couldn't have captured those shots any other way based on my creative requirements. My philosophy is, any shot that represents my creative vision is better than no shot at all. I can always choose whether to keep it or not

**kiwi_jono** · 08-02-2018, 03:51 PM - **1 Like**

K-x, K-5, K-01: Max normally 3200
K-1: Max normally 6400 :-)

Florida Suse · 08-02-2018, 04:24 PM

I have my auto iso set in my k1ii to go from 100 to 12800. I feel pretty comfortable with that.

**FozzFoster** · 08-02-2018, 05:08 PM

My K-S2 is usually on Auto ISO from 200-1600 or manually set at whatever I want it to be.

Depends what I'm shooting - for astro I'll go 3200 or even 6400.

**clackers** · 08-02-2018, 06:57 PM - **2 Likes**

Oh, just as close to ISO800 as possible.

All those real high ISO pics (from any brand camera, mind!) I see have both their dynamic range smashed and details taken out by noise reduction.

The colours and textures just aren't right.

If the scene itself is so simple that it has little colour range or fine details, okay then, go nuts with NR in post!

**Mikesul** · 08-02-2018, 07:27 PM

Camera, lens and setting determine acceptable iso but always as low as possible. I sometimes am satisfied with 6400 in bright light in order to get fast shutter but it is always risky.

pid · 08-02-2018, 11:01 PM

Originally posted by darylk

3200 as a Max default on my K-1. Instead of going much higher, I typically underexpose if needed to retain adequate shutter speed and boost exposure in post. The K-1 is pretty much ISO invariant, so avoiding boosting in-camera ISO/gain helps preserve overall dynamic range.

it does'nt make any difference if you underexpose or use a higher ISO on K1. If you dont believe, just make a test and see yourself.

**RKKS08** · 08-03-2018, 03:57 AM

Cannot speak for the K-70.
With my cameras:

K200D ISO 200
K-5 ISO 400
(Without post)

K200D ISO 400
K-5 ISO 800-1600
(Moderate post)

K200D ISO 800
K-5 ISO 3200
Strong NR in post needed for many, but not all pictures. accompanied by slight reduction in resolution and DR.
I prefer to shoot it under-exposed instead.

K200D ISO 1600
K-5 ISO >3200
Only if I really really need the picture and cannot repeat the shoot at better light conditions.

Originally posted by pid

it does'nt make any difference if you underexpose or use a higher ISO on K1. If you dont believe, just make a test and see yourself.

That may be true, I don't own a K-1.
But with my cameras (also the *istDS) I feel I get better results by underexposing and in post pushing with a picture related profile (only the parts of the picture which need it).

08-02-2018, 01:43 PM - 1 Like	#1
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080	What is the maximum ISO you typically use on your K-70? Anybody have any feelings on this? Thanks.

08-02-2018, 03:47 PM - 3 Likes	#8
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,669	It depends on your appetite for post-processing, the software tools you're using, your skill in using them and your expectations of the final result - including the physical size and intended medium for reproduction. I can't speak knowledgeably for the K-70, but I frequently shoot my K-3 and K-3II at ISO 6400 without any qualms whatsoever. I shoot RAW, and expect to do some colour noise reduction at higher ISOs. Depending on cropping and the final reproduction size, I add some mild luminance noise reduction too. After processing, such images typically display well on my 17" laptop and 23" desktop monitors, and - from a sensible viewing distance - my 40" LCD TV. I have plenty of shots taken at sensitivities above ISO 6400 that are more than serviceable... right up to ISO 20,000, in some cases. But reproduction size is severely limited for many of those. My approach for higher ISO work is to use TAv mode, and let the ISO float as high as necessary based on my shutter speed and aperture settings. Those are non-negotiable aspects for me to get the creative results I want in terms of motion capture / movement blurring and depth of field. If I end up with one or more shots at ISO settings that are unusable because of that, so be it. It's no loss, since I couldn't have captured those shots any other way based on my creative requirements. My philosophy is, any shot that represents my creative vision is better than no shot at all. I can always choose whether to keep it or not Last edited by BigMackCam; 08-02-2018 at 03:59 PM.

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08-02-2018, 02:24 PM - 1 Like	#2
MrMojo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2018 Photos: Albums Posts: 96	When I had one, 1600-3200 without thought. After that, some effort in PP was required. Not to say i always shot at 1600, I'm an old film winder so low ISO = Good Thing. But no qualms about doing it to get the shot, for example with long glass and shady conditions. I think of the K110, K10, K50, K70, K5 & K3 i own/owned, it handled high ISO the best by a good margin. Probably just the software inside the camera's processing engine improving over time.

08-02-2018, 02:27 PM	#3
darylk Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Blue Hill, Nebraska Photos: Gallery Posts: 494	3200 as a Max default on my K-1. Instead of going much higher, I typically underexpose if needed to retain adequate shutter speed and boost exposure in post. The K-1 is pretty much ISO invariant, so avoiding boosting in-camera ISO/gain helps preserve overall dynamic range.

08-02-2018, 02:41 PM	#4
LightBug Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: OC, CA, USA Posts: 506	Originally posted by bladerunner6 Anybody have any feelings on this? Thanks. K-S2 ISO 6400. A7r ISO 12800.

08-02-2018, 02:42 PM - 1 Like	#5
beachgardener Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,842	K-5 and K-3, both I don't like going over 3200, prefer to keep between 80 and 400, sometimes stretch to 800.

08-02-2018, 03:31 PM	#6
rickc118 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 28	I try not to go over 3200 (ISO range 100 - 3200 set as default) on my K-70.

08-02-2018, 03:46 PM	#7
MrB1 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 845	As the title refers to the K-70, mine is set to Auto ISO 200-6400 for natural light shots. Philip

08-02-2018, 03:51 PM - 1 Like	#9
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	K-x, K-5, K-01: Max normally 3200 K-1: Max normally 6400 :-)

08-02-2018, 04:24 PM	#10
Florida Suse Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 32	I have my auto iso set in my k1ii to go from 100 to 12800. I feel pretty comfortable with that.

08-02-2018, 05:08 PM	#11
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	My K-S2 is usually on Auto ISO from 200-1600 or manually set at whatever I want it to be. Depends what I'm shooting - for astro I'll go 3200 or even 6400.

08-02-2018, 06:57 PM - 2 Likes	#12
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Oh, just as close to ISO800 as possible. All those real high ISO pics (from any brand camera, mind!) I see have both their dynamic range smashed and details taken out by noise reduction. The colours and textures just aren't right. If the scene itself is so simple that it has little colour range or fine details, okay then, go nuts with NR in post!

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08-02-2018, 07:27 PM	#13
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Camera, lens and setting determine acceptable iso but always as low as possible. I sometimes am satisfied with 6400 in bright light in order to get fast shutter but it is always risky.

08-02-2018, 11:01 PM	#14
pid Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 567	Originally posted by darylk 3200 as a Max default on my K-1. Instead of going much higher, I typically underexpose if needed to retain adequate shutter speed and boost exposure in post. The K-1 is pretty much ISO invariant, so avoiding boosting in-camera ISO/gain helps preserve overall dynamic range. it does'nt make any difference if you underexpose or use a higher ISO on K1. If you dont believe, just make a test and see yourself.

08-03-2018, 03:57 AM	#15
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	Cannot speak for the K-70. With my cameras: K200D ISO 200 K-5 ISO 400 (Without post) K200D ISO 400 K-5 ISO 800-1600 (Moderate post) K200D ISO 800 K-5 ISO 3200 Strong NR in post needed for many, but not all pictures. accompanied by slight reduction in resolution and DR. I prefer to shoot it under-exposed instead. K200D ISO 1600 K-5 ISO >3200 Only if I really really need the picture and cannot repeat the shoot at better light conditions. Originally posted by pid it does'nt make any difference if you underexpose or use a higher ISO on K1. If you dont believe, just make a test and see yourself. That may be true, I don't own a K-1. But with my cameras (also the *istDS) I feel I get better results by underexposing and in post pushing with a picture related profile (only the parts of the picture which need it).