How to change your digital cameras ISO setting?

To change the ISO setting on your SLR camera, press the ISO button then use the 'up down left and right buttons' to change the speed. Again, if you don't have this option refer to your cameras manual as it may be slightly different between brands.

Note: When your digital camera is in automatic mode, the ISO speed is chosen for you to suit the level of light available at that particular time.

A manual mode I photograph in quite often is called Program AE. With Program AE you can choose the ISO you wish to photograph in and the digital camera then sets theshutter speed and aperture (exposure) automatically to suit. I like to think of it as being similar to an ISO priority option. To use Program AE change your mode dial to P, like the example image on the right.

If you're a beginner in using an SLR camera, you'll find it takes some time to get used to setting your ISO correctly. I can't count how many times I've kept my ISO at 100 and tried taking a fast night shot to find the photo turning out completely black. However after six months or so taking photographs in all different situations, you'll soon find it becomes second nature. Like anything new, it just takes practise.

What is ISO setting on your digital SLR (DSLR) camera and how do you use it?

The letters ISO on your digital camera settings refer to the film speed. Even though your camera is most likely not film at all, but rather digital, the ISO setting still does has the same function as older film cameras. ISO determines how sensitive the image sensor is to light. If your after more technical information, Wikipedia has a good article on ISO speed.

The most common ISO speed settings are: 100, 200, 400 and 800. Depending on your digital camera model you may also have them in the range of 64, 100, 160, 200, 400, 640, 800, 1600.

On a Canon digital 400D (also known as Rebel XTi) you can see what the ISO setting is by looking at the rear LCD. This is similar to most SLR digital cameras. If you can't see this in your specific model, refer to your manual. As you can see by the example on the right, the ISO in this case is set at 100.

The lower the ISO number, the slower the speed. The higher the ISO number, for example 1600 the faster the speed.

General Rules and tips for ISO Settings:

• Use an ISO of 100 or 200 when taking photographs outside in sunny conditions.
• If the sky is overcast or it is evening time, then use an ISO within the range of 400 to 800.
• Night time or in cases of low light you might need to set your digital camera ISO to 1600. If you don't then your photo will appear too dark if at all.

How does the ISO speed affect the photographs end result?

If you set your digital camera to a low ISO, for example 100, the resulting photograph will be better quality than one set at 1600. The higher the ISO the more grainy the photo will look. Therefore go for a low ISO number whenever possible.

However there are circumstances where a lower quality photograph is better than none at all. For example taking photographs of fish in a dark aquarium would normally be out of range for most point and shoot cameras. As you can see by the image below, setting my SLR camera to a high 1600 ISO made this task possible. Otherwise there would not have been enough light let in to the sensor and the image would have turned out totally black.

Of course I could have chosen a lower ISO and used my cameras inbuilt flash. However this would have resulted in unwanted flash glare bouncing off the glass. With this in mind a higher ISO (say 800) is also recommended if you want to take photographs of people inside in the evening without using a flash

How to use your digital SLR automatic and manual camera settings.

Digital SLR Camera Settings Explained

If you have just purchased your first SLR camera or been given one as a gift, you will be looking for some good tips on how to use it. Digital SLR's are not as easy as point and shoot camera's due to them having many more settings for you to learn how to use. This website serves as a free SLR Photography Guide, helping you to understand your digital camera better.

The first time you try your SLR camera use fully automatic settings.

When you first purchase your SLR digital camera you should simply enjoy using it and get a good feel for how to handle it. The best way to do this is to set it on fully automatic. Look for a symbol on your camera's mode dial that looks like a rectangle. When your camera is on automatic, all important settings such as ISO, Aperture and exposure are made for you, taking out the guess work.

When your camera is set on automatic, it's also recommended that your lens is set on automatic focus. That is if it has that option. If your lens has an option for automatic focus you will notice on the side of it letters AF.

Tip for taking a photograph in fully automatic: Firstly press your shutter button half way down, then once it focuses correctly press it the rest of the way down.

Six other automatic settings you will find useful:

The following modes are found on most SLR models. However, depending on your camera brand, some may not be available.

• Portrait - Set your digital camera to portrait mode when your taking photographs of people. Portrait mode will set the image color for skin tone perfectly.
  
•  Landscape - Set your camera to this mode when your taking photos of landscapes. For example if your photographing beach or mountain sceneries.
  
•  Close Up - Close up mode speaks for itself. For example, when you want to photograph small objects so they fill the whole frame as if to appear larger.
  
•  Sports - Sports mode should be used when you want to photograph a moving object such as a child or dog running.
  
•  Night Portrait - Choose night portrait automatic mode when you want to shoot a person in low light such as night time.
  
•  Flash Off - This mode is useful for times when your not allowed to use a flash. For example, in an art gallery.
• Manual Settings and FAQ's Once you have a good feel for your digital SLR camera's automatic settings you can start learning how to use the manual settings and other added extra's. Manual settings give you full control over your photography and the style of images you take. The following links will explain in detail how to use each manual setting.

1. What is ISO and how do you use it?
   
2. What is AV mode, f numbers and aperture settings?
   
3. Shutter speed priority and the difference between fast and slow shutter speeds.
   
4. Full manual mode - Includes examples and step by step lesson to help you fully understand using your SLR camera in manual mode.
   
5. Can you turn off shutter noise?
   
6. What is mirror lockup and when should you use it?
   
7. RAW CR2 file format. What is it and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
   
8. How to properly focus your SLR camera. DSLR focal points explained and how to use them.
   
9. Exposure compensation tips. How to compensate for overexposed or underexposed photographs?
   
10. How to reset your camera's factory default settings. Instructions for Nikon D40 and Canon 400D explained.
    
11. What is the difference between A, AV, DEP and A-DEP modes.
    
12. How to use white balance settings
    
13. What is a histogram and how do you read them
    
14. What is EXIF metadata - why is it a useful learning tool and how do you read it.
    
15. How to use metering modes - When to use matrix, pattern, evaluative, center weighted metering, spot and partial metering.
    
16. How to use depth of field preview button (if your camera has this option) what it does and tips for using it.