D200: can someone explain ISO 2000, 2500, and 3200?

I read the following on the Canadian site re: features on the D200:

"ISO sensitivity settings from ISO 100 - 1600, and HI-0.3 (2000 ISO), HI-0.7 (2500 ISO), HI-1 (3200 ISO) which can be set in 1/3 stop increments."

What does this mean exactly? If you want to shoot at an effective ISO of 3200, your image will be one stop underexposed from the recommended meter settings? I take it there's not a true ISO 3200 capability, correct?

Thanks for your help in clarifying this.

No, Hi-1 is just a setting that is "Comparable" to ISO 3200. I think they use the Hi-1 name because it is not an exact match to the ISO rating. They are just covering their butts, so people don't start yelling "ISO 3200 is really only ISO 3150!"

Duane said:

I read the following on the Canadian site re: features on the D200:

"ISO sensitivity settings from ISO 100 - 1600, and HI-0.3 (2000
ISO), HI-0.7 (2500 ISO), HI-1 (3200 ISO) which can be set in 1/3
stop increments."

What does this mean exactly?

Click to expand...

It means that the available ISO settings are ... 1600, 2000, 2500, 3200 -- thus 1/3 stop increments rather than one stop increments (... 1600, 3200). Many DSLRs have 1/3 stop increments across the normal ISO range, but then jump by one stop increments within the extended ISO range.

• Michael

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http://www.michael-hussmann.de

Duane said:

I read the following on the Canadian site re: features on the D200:

"ISO sensitivity settings from ISO 100 - 1600, and HI-0.3 (2000
ISO), HI-0.7 (2500 ISO), HI-1 (3200 ISO) which can be set in 1/3
stop increments."

Click to expand...

the ISO increments are set to the 1/3 ev step option.

Member said:

What does this mean exactly? If you want to shoot at an effective
ISO of 3200, your image will be one stop underexposed from the
recommended meter settings?

Click to expand...

As I understand it, they basically label the intermediate ISO steps that accompany 1/3 ev step selection, it has nothing to do with underexposure at the recommended meter reading.

The ev steps can also be set in full stop and 1/2 stop increments as well as 1/3 stop increments, the total range of distinct ISO values that can then be selected will vary with each.

I take it there's not a true ISO 3200

Member said:

capability, correct?

Click to expand...

Nikon has yet to label their ISO values outside of the standard range using the number designation alone. It could be that their "hi-1" is close but not quite at the standard or they may have other reasons. Personally, as long as the 3200 equivalent is useable and gives me the ability to stop action in lower light levels I would be happy...we'll have to wait production high ISO samples to know that for certain.

Regards,

--

I'm not sure, but I think that the distinction comes from the underlying behavior.

ISO 100-1600 in this case is the range in which the ISO is adjusted by adjusting signal gain, but HI settings may be equivalent to pushing the sensor to ISO 1600, using exposure compensation for metering, and correcting the underlying data for that exposure compensation setting.

I'm not sure that this is how they are drawing the line, but it seems like a reasonable way to go.