All About Auto ISO (Nikon Cameras)

[@sharonleibel]

just finished the "Nikon Exposure" book from Steve, And moving to the "Nikon Auto Focus" book. Guys, BUY HIS BOOKS! With a minimal price you get so much information in there that your head will spin. Along with many myth busting...

[@backcountrygallery]

Thank you so much for the kind words - greatly appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed the book :)

[@sharonleibel]

Steve Perry I stopped counting the “A-Ha” moments after I passed 20 :) By the way: Is it possible to send you a few clarification questions on some of the metering explanations?

[@backcountrygallery]

@@sharonleibel Sure - hit me up via my contact form on the website. Note that I'm in Africa at the moment though, sometimes without internet.

[@sharonleibel]

@@backcountrygallery Great. It will be probably answered on the book if you identify common misunderstandings. No hurries, Enjoy Africa!

[@multimedia542]

Trying to find pay options on his website?

[@glecas]

Your tutorials are the greatest I have ever watched. I keep coming back to them whenever I need to refresh my memory. So many things make your tutorials so good! Here's just a few of the things I love: Your ability to explain complex topics in an easy-to-understand way with simple language. The simple yet beautiful illustrations as you explain things. The way you show the camera's menu, explain the settings and what they do. Keeping the narration straight and to the point, without a ton of "filler talk" that is so common among others. Thank you for all your tutorials, tips and tricks!!! 🙏

[@michaellennon9427]

Today my wife asked me to photograph a “Century ride” for her dressage club. It’s when a rider and horse combined age is 100 years. A pretty rare occurrence. I knew the barn was poorly lit by sun from one side, and today is overcast. So I wanted to be able to control the motion (shutter speed) so I set shutter priority on my D850, and I set the Auto ISO per this video. It worked really well. Thanks!

[@miguelfelix9775]

Never dissatisfied with Steve videos. I’ll start buying his books. Very helpful. Believe me, I’ve watched lots of photo instructional videos. 👍👍👍

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@veloz7860]

Absolute best, most thorough, most clear explanation of the "flowchart" that the camera follows when applying ISO area to the various modes. THANK-YOU for clearing things up for me, finally!!!!

[@Dakunaa]

Thanks Steve! I've been using my D810 in Auto ISO for about a year now and have felt pretty comfortable with it. But as usual with your videos, I find I can always learn something extra.

[@tomwear4613]

This is quite possibly the best instructional video I have ever watched! The narration and graphics make a somewhat complicated subject completely clear. I'll have to check out more of your vids.

[@larsvolz4316]

Your videos are absolutely perfect. Clean delivery and a solid explanation of how the system works under Auto ISO. You are an excellent teacher and are providing wonderful service with this sort of clear explanation. Nikon should hire you to do a series of tutorial videos. Keep it up.

[@Irishkilt67]

I've been using auto iso for 2 years now and love it! I can still manipulate the iso by adjusting my shutter or aperture if needed. Fantastic advice for everyone!

[@GoneToHelenBach]

You can also manipulate auto-ISO in manual mode with exposure compensation without altering aperture or shutter speed at all. Exposure compensation, when used this way, will alter the zero point of your cameras meter from its standard 18% grey. Let's say you dial in two thirds of a stop of negative exp-comp, the zero point of your meter will now be two thirds of a stop below 18% grey and auto-ISO will continue to zero the meter as it always has, so you will get an image two thirds of a stop darker...very useful when you're shooting a small bright subject against a large dark background. This, of course, works the other way around too i.e. a dark subject against a bright background, just dial in positive exp-comp so that the meter zeros at a brighter value than 18% grey.

[@Balconeswpg]

I've read the book twice. No, I'm not a glutton for punishment. It's just that it's packed with so much helpful information, it takes more than one read to absorb it all. Manual with auto ISO has become one of my favorite modes for shooting action. Steve, thanks so much!

[@maxdezigner]

This is Gold! Best PSAM explanation in conjunction with ISO. You rock!

[@derbydiva9090]

Just got purchased a D850, thank you for your explanation of ISO/Auto Iso control and how to set them..Cleared the fog in my brain

[@adarajennifer]

Steve's examples make such a potentially-confusing subject very clear. Highly recommended video created by a superb teacher.

[@NabilAbdulla07]

Totally agree. Thanks Steve.

[@MrTolesi]

@@NabilAbdulla07 And me!

[@MJLangdon175]

I can second Steves books, they are fantastic; full of lots of valuable information which he explains in a very clear way with his diagrams, photos and sense of humour. Great job Steve, the books are worth every penny.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thank you!!

[@jimwlouavl]

The sliding sun from bright to dark is an excellent graphic. Thanks. Thanks also for the detail about when the camera goes below the minimum shutter speed and when it allows underexposure.

[@dah7772]

500 pages into your exposure book. Best one that I’ve purchased from you. Learning more than I honestly thought I would.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thank you!

[@JohanSchmidt]

Thanks Steve. Another benefit of the Auto ISO when shooting in manual mode is that the camera can adjust the ISO increments in smaller / finer amounts than the equivalent f-stop/ shutter speed 1/3. E.g at times your image data will show an ISO of 110 used in the image - nowhere in any setting can one pick an ISO of 110 - so it definitely makes subtler adjustments

[@backcountrygallery]

Yup, it goes in 1/6th stops :) However, if you're shooting RAW that type of granularity isn't critical - you can miss by a stop in many cases (and more on the underexposure side) and still pull out a perfect image.

[@Jsfrog]

OMG I am less than 1/3 thru this video and you already taught me something I had no idea I could do on my D850: switch between normal ISO setting and Auto ISO using the ISO button with the front command dial. I had no idea! I had that in the "My Menu" set of options, but I just removed it after discovering I don't need it there using your tip. Geez....thank you! Oh, and I've used Auto ISO with great success for 8th graders as they pass between bright areas and shadow areas like your bird example, and for bees on flowers. Bees fly around of course, but they also jiggle as they crawl all over the flowers. I've found that a minimum of 320 shutter speed is needed, I still set the aperture under aperture priority, but let the ISO scream up (within limits) to make it all work.

[@ianbachanek2538]

I went manual + auto iso about a year ago. A suggestion from a different KZbin photographer (Morten Hilmer). Works great if you hike as light conditions can change so quickly in a forest. Great video! So informative!

[@mgamga]

Your teaching skills are matched by your photographic skills, Kudos.

[@tusharkamble6585]

Sir, thank you so much for MENTIONING "WHEN THE LIGHT GETS DARKER AND THE CAMERA HIT THE HIGHEST ISO N CAN'T EXPOSE IMAGE THEN THE SHUTTER SPEED WILL DROP BELOW THE SET SHUTTER SPEED TO GET A PERFECT EXPOSURE" Nobody on the youtube tutorial speaks about it and that's why i was going crazy over why the shutter still drops when i put in the minimum shutter speed..i was searching alot on youtube but nobody explained in this detail...I'm a nikon D5600 user and thought that my camera had problem..thank you sir for this tutorial!!💯🙏

[@TheLoumel100]

Thank you so much Steve. I've tried this technique before but got scared off by it over exposing my shots. I have a D500 with a 200-500 F5.6. Trying to maintain a good exposure in difficult lighting conditions. Now with this video I'm dipping my toes in that water again and already my test shots are coming out better. I think I need to embrace higher iso's and allow the camera to do it's thing while I'm in manual when in low light. Furthermore I like your explanation regarding exposure comp and how you won't see the indicator. That offers some reassurance as I felt I was doing something wrong. Great work and thanks again. Keep up the good work and stay safe.

[@Aplus205]

Lots of info for me to grasp at ones. I will watch it over again.. I am a Nikon D7100 shooter and your two e-books were the best purchase I made to improve my photography. always look forward for your material. Thanks Steve.

[@bluedogbites]

enjoy your vids Steve - one thing you may want to add to the ISO vid, is how you can put the camera in Auto ISO and then alter it using the exposure compensation - I find this a handy trick (situation based of course) to underexpose a bit when shooting Auto ISO wildlife in the snow. fyi - I am only shooting in Manual exposure mode. not sure what models this works on - for sure D5, D850, and Z9. cheers

[@greggorter]

The most easy to understand and comprehensive explanation for these settings that I’ve found. Your ebooks are also awesome Steve, great work & thank you 😊🙏🏿

[@zendt66]

Many thanks. I just learned something I should have already known, but didn't.

[@heliodias513]

Shame that KZbin doesn’t allow us to give 10 out of 10 stars. A like is just so few for such detailed and useful video.

[@ringeradi]

You make THE BEST educational videos, so easy to understand. The dropping sun while showing how it changes settings is genius!

[@alanalain4884]

Your videos are very sharp with awesome in-depth explanations. Many thanks...

[@reneecatherine4757]

I never comment on youtube videos, but this actually helped me so much! Thank-you for making this so easy to understand!!

[@jeffselfphotography3066]

I've gone ahead and given it a thumbs up before I've even watched it. I have that much confidence in Steve! I'll probably watch it over lunch.

[@droppingcoconuts]

I want to thankyou once again for turning me on to this. been using auto ISO in manual mode for about a year now, along with back button focus and will never look back.

[@alexanderjs666]

Thank you thank you! I couldn’t figure out why my auto iso wouldn’t drop below 800. This helps SO MUCH.

[@PatrickOSullivanAUS]

I started using this technique in aperture priority mode, but mostly use it in manual mode so I can quickly adjust the shutter speed. Best of both worlds.

[@digimagic3288]

Thanks for breaking down this section of auto iso, very helpful tutorial.

[@zmanagadze]

another masterpiece, Steve! I am from Georgia (Republic) far away from the USA :), your follower for years and have already bought all your books and they are worth every penny. keep going, Steve

[@rayblg]

Thank You Steve, I have learned so much from you about photography and how to operate my Nikon cameras. D850 and D500. I have also bought all of your e-books and have learned so much more than what you can pack into a video, but, I love your videos so much that I hope you have the time to keep doing the videos too. I live in the Smoky Mountains, and look for you sometimes in Cades Cove, but like a big bear, haven't seen you yet.

[@backcountrygallery]

I'll be down in mid-April or so, I think.

[@rayblg]

Would love to meet you when you do come. You can contact me to see if our timing for a meeting or photo shoot is good. Thanks for the response. Ray@@backcountrygallery

[@robcawston861]

Great work Steve.....the best help on KZbin! I don't know how you remember all this stuff but very well done!!

[@jsfbay1]

I stumbled onto using auto-iso in manual mode a year or two ago and love it! This video provides a very good tutorial for how the settings change in various exposure modes. Highly recommended, and I wish this video had come out 7 years ago when I first started (trying to rather unsuccessfully) shooting high school Cross Country anack and Field.

[@odysseusreturns9133]

One of the reasons I upgraded to the D7100 from the D7000, is the ability to switch effortlessly between auto and manual ISO without resorting to menus. Simply by moving the sub-command dial while pressing ISO button.

[@aniquewaseem6259]

No body can explain it better than you, Bravo 💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐

[@vidmon]

Thanks Steve for a great video about auto ISO. Nikon should pay you for this video since they lack on just about every aspect of their in depth training videos like you produced. That said I've never used Auto ISO with my recently purchased D6 but I can see where this would come in handy and can't wait to give it a try. Changing the subject to the SB5000 and using it with a D6. When I use the SB5000 on my D6 and move it to my D4 it shows me a different setting. I typically set it to "BL" mode but on the D6 the flash shows "TTL/BL/FL" on the D4 it shows "TTL/BL" What does the "FL" stand for and how does it effect the flash output? Thanks for your help and I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos!

[@FlyBoyEnterprises]

Definitely going to make the adjustments. I have had issues with sun and overcast ie sun constantly going in and out of the clouds. I get too dark or over exposed. I have always avoided Auto ISO. It's good to know that's its OK to use in certain situations. I certainly appreciate this video and tips.

[@TheTucsonJeff]

Thanks Steve! I've been using auto ISO on my Nikon D3500, but your video has pointed out several important facts which I'm now glad to have learned!!

[@xxcmag]

Thanks so much for the video. I’ve been shooting Nikon for years but you always seem to find something that I’ve been messing up. Keep up the great work.

[@anita.s6332]

Steve I learn something new every time I watch your videos. I always keep my camera in auto iso but didn't know I could toggle it on and off with the front dial button. Thank you for another awesome video!!

[@aniruddhavidwans3626]

This is very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to explain this complicated subject.

[@hurleygreen927]

Appreciate this video! It cleared up some confusion about the Auto ISO for me!

[@jph364]

Can you also use exposure compensation in case you want to adapt your camera’s metering?

[@NikhilShahi]

I had seen your other video on Auto ISO and so understood the concept and have been using it for a while now (thanks much). However, I have to say that this is a really concise and well laid out video. You really have a gift for teaching,

[@shwekhine5836]

The best instruction on ISO settings I have ever seen.

[@scottk.8494]

VERY helpful video! I got a D7500 a couple months ago and your videos have been super useful fully understanding some of the settings.

[@DavidBennettplus]

Dear Steve, you give me confidence that I know what to set on the camera, and why. Thank you.

[@eyewaves...]

Very good video. Informative, clear and covers the points straight up...

[@markcarter5491]

I love my d7200 and with your videos and expert expertise its now double the fun. Thanks a ton

[@JMHSPhoto]

Another great video Steve.. Thank you for all you help out with and contribute with in the FM/Nikon community.

[@roninmantis7584]

Thank you for the "Minimum shutter speed" explanation. The manual was confusing to me.

[@dance2jam]

So good to see your productions back again! Hope you enjoyed the break. Will definitely miss the videos (definitely my favorites!). Thanks again Steve.

[@JoJo-vm8vk]

I'm using auto-ISO with my D7000 since 2014 (I added 5he D500 now). But I thought "let's have a look, maybe I will learn something more". And thanks for the auto shutter speed in auto-ISO menu, I didn't knew that one. What's very cool is that on Dx body, it kind of takes into account the crop factor for the 1/Focal length thumb rule 👍🏻

[@ShaunakHub]

This is without a doubt the best guide I have ever seen on Auto ISO. Thanks a lot!

[@cutieerica]

Thank you for this video. This really helped me out. I will check out your books.

[@simonmason7760]

Hi Steve, great video. I know many people learn faster by watching tutorials. Keep them coming!

[@ragnvald9101]

Have used auto iso most of the time, but have never had it explained like you did in this video Steve....thanks. I will be making some adjustments.

[@macmcmillen6282]

Great explanation of how auto ISO works in all camera modes. I'm a manual + auto ISO convert. :)

[@chrisdunford2346]

Absolutely the best explanation of this whole subject I've ever seen. Applies equally well to Canon users. Thank you Steve.

[@MrTolesi]

I agree!

[@rolandnemeth3982]

Great video Steve, just tried it out yesterday, and seems to work amazingly (also for portraits, where lighting is changing). By now I watched like almost all of your videos, and love the way you explain/demonstrate things, they really help me to understand some things I did not know or did not feel like trying out. (like for example, back button AF, and how it works wonders, that I also started to use since I saw your video about it, as it finally explained why it is a good technique.) I was wondering could you maybe do a video on Nikon Flashes, and how to best use them?

[@riazulislamrimon8934]

Awesome tutorial.... many many thanks for minor exclusive details.... 👌👌

[@bernt_nielsen]

Excellent video....do you find that the camera tend to use a higher ISO than necessary...hence, too much noise in the image?

[@TracyClark]

Your videos are always so helpful. Thank you.

[@qdvvuis67]

Thank you for this lesson! Your lessons are very thorough and easy to understand. Can you make future lesson using a Nikon Z7?

[@Zeppy007]

Steve, thanks for another sweet video with very informative content. Been following your amazing videos and advice since I started in May of 2014 and have never looked back procuring the D610, D810, D500, D850 and the D5 and 24 Prime lenses, Yikes! I guess you could say I have a severe case of GAS, Gear Acquisition Syndrome for those that don't know what GAS is and thankfully, a very understanding wife :-) Hope to shoot with you again at Magee this spring, but figure you will be going back to Costa Rica which definitely is a Bucket list thing for me! Cheers...

[@backcountrygallery]

Dang man, that's a lotta gear!

[@markmozley5604]

Great Great Video. Loads of information for us camera and Nikon users. This will help me a bunch in wildlife photography.

[@ducati08]

Great video Steve; you’re a gifted teacher. Two quick questions, 1) when camera is adjusting shutter or aperture during Auto ISO, what is the “resolution” of the change, i.e. does it make 1/3 stop adjustments, 1/2 stop, or does it depend on your custom setting for “ISO sensitivity step value” and/or “EV steps for exposure control” settings? And 2) in program mode with auto ISO, does it alternate adjustments between aperture and shutter until it hits a limit?

[@backcountrygallery]

1. It's actually 1/6th stops of ISO adjustment. 2. It doesn't usually alternate, it really depends on the lens. The camera favors hand-holding speeds in Program and tends to turn towards F/stops more once it has enough shutter speed.

[@ducati08]

Steve Perry thanks. I was just experimenting and indeed noticed that it was finer resolution than 1/3 stop and doesn’t depend on custom settings. So interestingly, auto ISO has the finest control of EV over all the other shooting modes. Nothing else has 1/6 stop adjustments, not that this insight provides any value! Actually, I suspect my last statement is false and that A, S, and P modes also adjust in 1/6 stop. Additional experiments required.

[@froksie]

Great video! Keep in mind that when you set te minimum SS to 500 like in the excample. There is stil a high chance you will get noisy pictures. A ss of 500 is pretty fast for indoor of dusk photography.

[@WaniMedia]

Im a Manual mode and auto ISO man after watching your vid a few years ago.

[@millerdp]

I second that! I've found that configuration to be perfect for me. Funny, it was even easier to implement and use on my Canon. Yep, Steve's a great teacher and photographer (and comedian).

[@Smoothblue90]

I am more of an aperture priority, auto ISO, 1/125 minimum shutter, exposure compensation to expose to the right kind of guy, switching between evaluative and highlight* metering.

[@WaniMedia]

@@millerdp Yeah he is! i do offroading shoots but i also like to shoot animals for leisure in between, started watching Steve after purchasing a 500mm f4 about 2 years ago (i didnt know how to properly use it then)

[@WaniMedia]

@@millerdp Yeah he is! i do offroading shoots but i also like to shoot animals for leisure in between, started watching Steve after purchasing a 500mm f4 about 2 years ago (i didnt know how to properly use it then)

[@Blittzkrieg]

..and back button AF.

[@nguyenvinh574]

Thank you for the helpful instructions. I used D500. auto iso 4000, how much is the Minimum shuter speed ? tks ...

[@laurelb8372]

Good to see you back. Will check out the new book.

[@theyetiinoz1478]

Another fantastic video Steve. Sad to hear that you will doing less youtube content. Unfortunately youtube has changed us and most of us can't be bothered reading anymore.

[@backcountrygallery]

It's not by choice - I just have too many workshops / trips coming up and it's easier to do articles than videos. I'm still going to try to get out as many as I can, especially for topics better explained by video - I have another video in the works at the moment :)

[@warrengh5647]

Thank you, Steve, that has cleared up a lot of questions I needed answers to in a clear and understandable tutorial.

[@JagaatBhari]

This is really good video Steve. Exactly what I wanted to know about auto ISO settings and more importantly recommendation. Thanks and Cheers :)

[@archanatandon1960]

I made all the settings u described above but while clicking ISO does not change automatically but once I set Shutter Speed and aperture, highest permissible ISO selected at settings is used every time I click.😥

[@stanleywall9196]

Another great informative video... thank you and welcome back Steve...

[@rkstudios450]

Thanks so much. You explained it much metter than the manual or anyone else.

[@aimhighpressurewashing]

Hey Steve..thanks for the video...I have a Z9 and mainly use it for portraits...what is the Max ISO that u suggest? 64Low and 6400 is what im leaning to but I wanted your expert opinion...thanks man. 😃

[@alanalain4884]

Thanks!

[@pauls2757]

On the Nikon D6 they have Auto ISO Sensitivity e4 (subject and background or Subject Only)....Can you suggest when each should be used ----Ie.Sports, Wildlife, etc....

[@godfreyling1294]

Fairly new to Nikon will be trying auto ISO and the back button focusing after watching this video.

[@_The_Able_Gardener]

FINALLY!! . . Finally I have found that one video I’ve been looking for. For some reason I managed to get myself tied up in knots over the ISO settings. Many thank for sharing. Much appreciated. 😊

[@TracyClark]

Having come (back to NIkon) from Fuji I have really enjoyed the multiple Auto-ISO settings on the Fuji. With the 3 Auto-ISO settings on the Fuji I could quickly choose one for outdoor, indoor, other. Is this possible with the D7500? I don’t see it but thought I would ask.

[@Del-Canada]

Nice to see another Perry during my online travels.

[@danielmartinezhoyos]

This was crystal clear and super helpful, thank you so much!

[@PaulCrispin]

Well presented, clear tutorial on a complicated subject. Nice work

[@marcelvanlierop]

Very comprehensive info mixed with the usual dose of humor. Very well explained!

[@AussieVeteran71]

Very informative and easy to follow , now I have better understanding of the ISO settings on my camera.

[@StephRenee812]

Wow. Watched this and wow. Thank u. I def need to learn what I should have all my nikon d5100 on. This iso base setting. I never knew. Thank u.. hame changer. Can u do a video on what they all should be set to or explain what they are meant for. I seem to understand u. I have watched a hundred videos and watch one of yours and I actually learned. Lol also you're funny.. had me chuckling

[@kontrolla1]

Thanks for another excellent video Steve. I already use manual and auto ISO on my D850 and D500 but I still learnt a few things from this.

[@MDMiller60]

Enjoyed it. I have tried it, but because the lighting can be variable even within areas, the meter gets fooled. Also, I have found a phenomenon where the Auto ISO climbs all the way to 12,800 regularly even tho there's enough light for maybe 3200? It just climbs and stays there for certain scenes.

[@bradena.1194]

Welcome back. Right now, we need a bit of clear air.

[@TrailsideFitness]

Really enjoying your videos! I understand my camera features much better since finding your channel thank you!

[@peterbrackenbury]

THanks Steve, again a very helpful video. I didn't fully realise the implications of using Auto ISO but having watched the video it all makes sense now and hopefully I will benefit more from using this useful facility.