Auto ISO in the A7III

[Pixeltype24]

Hi

I just bought the Sony A7III and have been using it for some time in low light now. I used to use the Canon 5D Mark II previously.

At certain times, I'm confused about what ISO to set in M mode for the A7III, so I just set it at Auto and just focus on the aperture instead.

How responsive is the Auto ISO in the A7III and can i keep using the auto ISO feature reliably without manually setting the ISO?

I'm not shooting in extremely dark surroundings, so I'm not too concerned about setting limits to the ISO.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SQLGuy]

I'm not sure what you mean by responsive.

If you're in M mode, with Auto ISO, you're setting the shutter speed and the aperture, and the camera is picking the ISO based on available light and trying to expose for 18% grey in the metered area. If you have applied exposure compensation, that will be taken into account, as well. The camera updates its metering and ISO selection probably 30 times a second, up to the point when you release the shutter.

So, I guess I would say that it works well, and it works just as quickly and accurately as selection of exposure parameters in any other mode.

 

[bayindirh]

Hi

I just bought the Sony A7III and have been using it for some time in low light now. I used to use the Canon 5D Mark II previously.

At certain times, I'm confused about what ISO to set in M mode for the A7III, so I just set it at Auto and just focus on the aperture instead.

A7III can take good photos up to ISO12800 is most situations. Including theater-style lightings.

How responsive is the Auto ISO in the A7III and can i keep using the auto ISO feature reliably without manually setting the ISO?

ISO is selected at half-shutter press but, I'm not sure it's updated in real-time in M mode I just can't remember how it behaves but I get consistently good images in this configuration.

I generally shoot in aperture priority with auto ISO.

I'm not shooting in extremely dark surroundings, so I'm not too concerned about setting limits to the ISO.

Even in extremely dark situations you can use ISO12800 without thinking twice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pixeltype24]

I think what I meant by 'responsive' is how Auto ISO compares with setting it manually for low light and indoor situations.

For my 5D Mark II, I would set the ISO based on the light, so was interested to find out how the A7III performs in increments of ISO when its set to Auto.

Thanks

 

[Pixeltype24]

Thanks, probably a good idea to set the max limit to ISO 12800?

 

[bayindirh]

I think what I meant by 'responsive' is how Auto ISO compares with setting it manually for low light and indoor situations.

It chooses the correct ISO pretty accurately. You need to compensate for high contrast scenes with exposure compensation like you're using a DSLR.

I've shot a show last week with spotlights on a dark background. It behaved beautifully.

For my 5D Mark II, I would set the ISO based on the light, so was interested to find out how the A7III performs in increments of ISO when its set to Auto.

In a "set to auto & forget it" way. You may need to set ISO limits if the default is too broad or unacceptable for any reason.

Thanks

 

[bayindirh]

Thanks, probably a good idea to set the max limit to ISO 12800?

Yep. I use 100 - 12800 in most cases. Start with factory defaults, tune as you go.

Sony A7iii is pretty deep in terms of configuration. You need to take shoot & tune approach instead of classic "set everything before start".

It behaves pretty well out of the box. As you get used to it and tune according to your taste, it gets even better.

I'll try to add a ISO12800 shoot later to this thread. I'm currently away from my main workstation.

 

[Tristimulus]

Would simply use low ISO in good light (100 or 640, dual gain sensor) in M mode.

Use low ISO in good light for better tonal range and color.

Use high ISO in low light.

The combination of shutter speed, aperture and light level will decide what to go for.