I love the auto ISO on my K-x

Aegon · 05-13-2010, 03:39 PM

I'm with deadwolfbones and nulla.

I have a K-7 that I control the ISO explicitly depending on my gut.

I have a K-x that I put on AV and auto-ISO, and it works great. I usually think it is choosing too high of an ISO value. But it does a pretty good job and the sensor is brilliant.

Tan · 05-13-2010, 07:47 PM

IMO, just take the photo

as long as you happy with it, it doesn't matter what ISO that you use.

:-)

Rush2112 · 05-13-2010, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by jct us101

I have it set to 100-6400 on AV mode and it really works wonders for me, haven't taken a single bad photo yet or one with too much noise. I love this camera!

Nice that you can set it all the way up to 12,800, can you believe that other manufactures set a cap on auto ISO?

I love the assumption that a user won't want to use higher ISO's or that they shouldn't.

One of many reasons I love Pentax so much, they let the USER decide as much as possible on so many things.

This is a huge advantage of using Pentax.

Carl

nulla · 05-14-2010, 12:40 AM

Originally posted by Ira

Flash or no flash?

no flash used on K-x so far

gkreth · 05-17-2010, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by Ira

How does it help you?

Well, for one thing, I don't have to push-process like I often did with my K10D's ISO1600 limit. That saves me considerable PP time.

Also, images are much noisier shooting ISO 1600 on the K10D at -1 EV or -2 EV and push processing up +1 or +2 in PP to compensate. If I need ISO 3200, or 6400, or higher, I just use that.

It also often helps me get the shot. When I set the ISO myself, sometimes it's enough, sometimes it's not. If it's not, i have to take the time to chage it, and can sometimes miss a shot.

With Auto ISO, I can set Tv mode at 1/400, and if the exposure is such that the widest f/stop isn't enough to expose the scene properly at ISO 800, the camera pushes up the ISO to whatever is needed, without me having to stop, bump up the ISO, and try to get the sot (which by that time may have already passed my by).

Last, and I haven't been able to test this in a controlled setting, but it is an observation I've made: When using the 55-300 lens in Av mode, the camera appears to take the FL into consideration, and increases the shutter speed and ISO if needed. For example, if I'm set to f/5.6 at a FL of 70mm, the camera will meter and set the shutter speed accordingly. But if the shutter speed drops below, say, 1/40, the camera bumps up the ISO to keep the shutter speed at 1/6 or faster.

Likewise, if I'm with the same lens at FL 300mm, the camera bumps up the ISO as necessary to keep the shutter speed at 1/125 or higher.

Again, I haven't tested this last thing extensively in a controlled setting; it's more of an observation. I seem to notice that, when the scene gets brighter, I seem to get a combination of BOTH and increase in shutter speed, and a drop in ISO. The two factors seems to work in conjunction in Av mode.

In summary: Because the high ISO ion the K-x is so good, I often shoot in Auto ISO, with a top ISO setting if 8000, 10,000, or even 12,800.

I definitely do notice the NR kicking in at these higher ISOs, especially 12,800. But, if it's the difference between a blurry sot because the shutter speed was too slow, or a shot with some NR softness, I'll take the latter.

Greg

**Rondec** · 05-18-2010, 04:30 AM

I agree with you, Ira, that if you are taking well thought out shots, you should be thinking about everyone of your settings -- iso, aperture, and shutter speed. I also agree that any camera suffers (at least a little bit) both in dynamic range and noise as you go up in iso. However, when I am taking snap shots of my kids, auto iso is terribly useful, as it is awfully easy to have shutter speeds drop into the blur zone, even with aperture wide open.

Pablom · 05-18-2010, 04:52 AM

I don't use auto iso myself but the k-x is just amazing up to iso 3200, I never expected such a good performer
I actually think the Sv mode (or what's it's name...) can be great for situations of constantly changing lighting as I often encounter in stage performances but I never really did use it. it's hard to make new habits I guess, but I'm trying...

bdery · 05-18-2010, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Auto ISO should be banned.

How so? Because you don't use it? Then things could easily turn a little restricted, don't you think, if THAT is the criteria?

I personally don't use auto ISO, but the way Pentax implemented it is fantastic. Letting you choose the boundaries makes so much sense. If it makes people enjoy their photography more, why whine about it?

While we're at it, should AF be banned? Or zooms?

melander · 05-18-2010, 05:30 AM

Rather have auto ISO than Auto flash

I almost never use the flash, because flash = boring pictures. Unless you take time to set flashes up. Natural lightning wins every time.

So if im indoor i just set it to auto 100-6400 and shoots away.
And it can be very very helpfull when you lend your camera to a noob. Just tell him to press the trigger.

Unsinkable II · 05-18-2010, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by melander

Rather have auto ISO than Auto flash

I almost never use the flash, because flash = boring pictures. Unless you take time to set flashes up. Natural lightning wins every time.

I couldn't agree more. It was trying to dispense with flash that brought me to a DSLR. Which brought me to the K-x.

I love Pentax's ISO controls. So easy to use. I admit to changing my settings quite a bit (when securely set on a surface I like to go to ISO800 or less), but when needed having a (cleaner than before) high auto ISO is great.

Ira · 05-18-2010, 12:25 PM

Originally posted by bdery

How so? Because you don't use it? Then things could easily turn a little restricted, don't you think, if THAT is the criteria?

I personally don't use auto ISO, but the way Pentax implemented it is fantastic. Letting you choose the boundaries makes so much sense. If it makes people enjoy their photography more, why whine about it?

While we're at it, should AF be banned? Or zooms?

Moderators, I am not going to respond to this, because properly doing so would result in an infraction.

Parallax · 05-18-2010, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by ira

moderators, i am not going to respond to this, because properly doing so would result in an infraction.

We understand completely, Ira.

Ira · 05-18-2010, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by Parallax

We understand completely, Ira.

I'm trying. BELIEVE me, I'm trying.

I have a very misunderstood sense of humor.

bdery · 05-18-2010, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by Ira

I'm trying. BELIEVE me, I'm trying.

I have a very misunderstood sense of humor.

If it was humor, then indeed I misunderstood strongly. If it wasn't, my comment stands.

yusuf · 05-19-2010, 08:09 AM

I usually do street photography and have a lots of things to be taken care - Auto ISO simply works great and have one less thing to take care of.

I can really appreciate how useful it is since I was not able to use it at its full potential in k100d due to a nasty bug (fixes ISO to 200 whenever exposure compensation is applied).

05-13-2010, 08:51 PM	#18
Rush2112 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: RSM, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 505	I have to agree Originally posted by jct us101 I have it set to 100-6400 on AV mode and it really works wonders for me, haven't taken a single bad photo yet or one with too much noise. I love this camera! Nice that you can set it all the way up to 12,800, can you believe that other manufactures set a cap on auto ISO? I love the assumption that a user won't want to use higher ISO's or that they shouldn't. One of many reasons I love Pentax so much, they let the USER decide as much as possible on so many things. This is a huge advantage of using Pentax. Carl

05-17-2010, 08:22 AM	#20
gkreth Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 68	How Auto ISO helps me Originally posted by Ira How does it help you? Well, for one thing, I don't have to push-process like I often did with my K10D's ISO1600 limit. That saves me considerable PP time. Also, images are much noisier shooting ISO 1600 on the K10D at -1 EV or -2 EV and push processing up +1 or +2 in PP to compensate. If I need ISO 3200, or 6400, or higher, I just use that. It also often helps me get the shot. When I set the ISO myself, sometimes it's enough, sometimes it's not. If it's not, i have to take the time to chage it, and can sometimes miss a shot. With Auto ISO, I can set Tv mode at 1/400, and if the exposure is such that the widest f/stop isn't enough to expose the scene properly at ISO 800, the camera pushes up the ISO to whatever is needed, without me having to stop, bump up the ISO, and try to get the sot (which by that time may have already passed my by). Last, and I haven't been able to test this in a controlled setting, but it is an observation I've made: When using the 55-300 lens in Av mode, the camera appears to take the FL into consideration, and increases the shutter speed and ISO if needed. For example, if I'm set to f/5.6 at a FL of 70mm, the camera will meter and set the shutter speed accordingly. But if the shutter speed drops below, say, 1/40, the camera bumps up the ISO to keep the shutter speed at 1/6 or faster. Likewise, if I'm with the same lens at FL 300mm, the camera bumps up the ISO as necessary to keep the shutter speed at 1/125 or higher. Again, I haven't tested this last thing extensively in a controlled setting; it's more of an observation. I seem to notice that, when the scene gets brighter, I seem to get a combination of BOTH and increase in shutter speed, and a drop in ISO. The two factors seems to work in conjunction in Av mode. In summary: Because the high ISO ion the K-x is so good, I often shoot in Auto ISO, with a top ISO setting if 8000, 10,000, or even 12,800. I definitely do notice the NR kicking in at these higher ISOs, especially 12,800. But, if it's the difference between a blurry sot because the shutter speed was too slow, or a shot with some NR softness, I'll take the latter. Greg

05-19-2010, 08:09 AM	#30
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	I usually do street photography and have a lots of things to be taken care - Auto ISO simply works great and have one less thing to take care of. I can really appreciate how useful it is since I was not able to use it at its full potential in k100d due to a nasty bug (fixes ISO to 200 whenever exposure compensation is applied). Last edited by yusuf; 05-20-2010 at 06:52 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Auto iso - k10d	stevewig	Pentax DSLR Discussion	10	03-25-2010 05:32 PM
Auto ISO	Relic	Pentax DSLR Discussion	4	04-08-2009 06:21 PM
I love a usable ISO 1600: Northern Cardinal (I know another one)	palmor	Post Your Photos!	15	01-29-2009 07:27 PM
LOVE that K20! ISO 1250!!!	DuckysDoll	Post Your Photos!	6	01-01-2009 06:44 AM
Auto ISO	dwssas	Pentax DSLR Discussion	4	11-15-2007 07:12 AM

05-13-2010, 03:39 PM	#16
Aegon Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,416	I'm with deadwolfbones and nulla. I have a K-7 that I control the ISO explicitly depending on my gut. I have a K-x that I put on AV and auto-ISO, and it works great. I usually think it is choosing too high of an ISO value. But it does a pretty good job and the sensor is brilliant.

05-13-2010, 07:47 PM	#17
Tan Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5	IMO, just take the photo as long as you happy with it, it doesn't matter what ISO that you use. :-)

05-14-2010, 12:40 AM	#19
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Originally posted by Ira Flash or no flash? no flash used on K-x so far

05-18-2010, 04:30 AM	#21
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	I agree with you, Ira, that if you are taking well thought out shots, you should be thinking about everyone of your settings -- iso, aperture, and shutter speed. I also agree that any camera suffers (at least a little bit) both in dynamic range and noise as you go up in iso. However, when I am taking snap shots of my kids, auto iso is terribly useful, as it is awfully easy to have shutter speeds drop into the blur zone, even with aperture wide open.

05-18-2010, 04:52 AM	#22
Pablom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Usa Posts: 1,940	I don't use auto iso myself but the k-x is just amazing up to iso 3200, I never expected such a good performer I actually think the Sv mode (or what's it's name...) can be great for situations of constantly changing lighting as I often encounter in stage performances but I never really did use it. it's hard to make new habits I guess, but I'm trying...

05-18-2010, 05:10 AM	#23
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	Quote: Auto ISO should be banned. How so? Because you don't use it? Then things could easily turn a little restricted, don't you think, if THAT is the criteria? I personally don't use auto ISO, but the way Pentax implemented it is fantastic. Letting you choose the boundaries makes so much sense. If it makes people enjoy their photography more, why whine about it? While we're at it, should AF be banned? Or zooms?

05-18-2010, 05:30 AM	#24
melander Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden, Umea Posts: 876	Rather have auto ISO than Auto flash I almost never use the flash, because flash = boring pictures. Unless you take time to set flashes up. Natural lightning wins every time. So if im indoor i just set it to auto 100-6400 and shoots away. And it can be very very helpfull when you lend your camera to a noob. Just tell him to press the trigger.

05-18-2010, 09:07 AM	#25
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	Originally posted by melander Rather have auto ISO than Auto flash I almost never use the flash, because flash = boring pictures. Unless you take time to set flashes up. Natural lightning wins every time. I couldn't agree more. It was trying to dispense with flash that brought me to a DSLR. Which brought me to the K-x. I love Pentax's ISO controls. So easy to use. I admit to changing my settings quite a bit (when securely set on a surface I like to go to ISO800 or less), but when needed having a (cleaner than before) high auto ISO is great.

05-18-2010, 12:25 PM	#26
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by bdery How so? Because you don't use it? Then things could easily turn a little restricted, don't you think, if THAT is the criteria? I personally don't use auto ISO, but the way Pentax implemented it is fantastic. Letting you choose the boundaries makes so much sense. If it makes people enjoy their photography more, why whine about it? While we're at it, should AF be banned? Or zooms? Moderators, I am not going to respond to this, because properly doing so would result in an infraction.

05-18-2010, 12:26 PM	#27
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,333	Originally posted by ira moderators, i am not going to respond to this, because properly doing so would result in an infraction. We understand completely, Ira.

05-18-2010, 12:34 PM	#28
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by Parallax We understand completely, Ira. I'm trying. BELIEVE me, I'm trying. I have a very misunderstood sense of humor.

05-18-2010, 05:57 PM	#29
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	Originally posted by Ira I'm trying. BELIEVE me, I'm trying. I have a very misunderstood sense of humor. If it was humor, then indeed I misunderstood strongly. If it wasn't, my comment stands.