Originally posted by pw-pix Is there any concensus on the best approach with the K10D?
I know the Nikon D200 is meant to be good for exposures up to about 20 mins duration and I believe it has the same sensor as the K10D.
Am I better keeping the ISO at 100 and using long exposures, or should I turn it up to ISO 400 or 800 and use shorter exposures?
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Peter
there is no 'right' answer which is why you have choices. To me shake and focus issues (associated with depth of field) are far more destructive of a photo than some noise.
If the camera is bolted to a block of non-vibrating concrete, and object of the photo is not going to move, and is on a flat plane so depth of field issues won't ruin the photo (or artwork considerations call for something to be out of focus--or blur is wanted) but if you are invading the privacy of a couple not quite behind the bushes in the city park---crank up the ISO all the way.
I carry a camera around for those 'unexpected moments' when you really wish you had a camera which when they occur usually don't give you a lot of time to fiddle witih the knobs.
I usually keep the ISO set to automatic with a range up to 800. as sthe default---often with a depth of field bias--- and a 16-50 SDM lens. This is designed to assure that the 'first photo'
is a photo of something. If time permits then I will tweek the buttons----usually the EV first as this lens frequently underexposes in this configuration, and if there the subject is still around, then I'll tweek other buttons.
This approach is based on the theory that a noisey focused shot of a Martian landing an UFO is preferred to no shot.