AUTO ISO MODE
The
D2x has a feature commonly found on point & shoot cameras,
like the Nikon CoolPix line, namely, Auto ISO. This is turned
on using Custom Setting b1. Here are the screens, in Figure
10, to set the ISO to Auto:
This
mode can be used when you want the D2x to automatically adjust
the ISO to the best possible setting without you doing anything.
If you set the ISO to100, the D2x may change that at any time
to a higher ISO setting if the light gets darker. You may
have the setting at 100 ISO and the D2x may switch it internally
to a higher ISO number without warning, if it thinks the light
is too low for a good exposure at the selected ISO. There
doesn’t appear to be any change in the ISO number recorded
in the EXIF data included with the image. The ISO number you
have selected is what the EXIF data reflects, even though
the D2x might have switched to a different number.
If
you want to set your D2x camera to be a point and shoot, you
can do it. Simply set it in Programmed exposure mode, Auto
White Balance, and Auto ISO. Now you have a giant, high-quality,
very fast CoolPix. In point and shoot mode, maybe we could
call it a “CoolD2x.”
CONCLUSION
All
silliness aside, the noise reduction, variable ISO stepping,
and excellent ISO range make the D2x, D2h, D2hs, D100, D70,
D70s and even the humble D50, superior performance cameras.
We
now have all the flexibility at our disposal. Just consider
what would be the best aperture for your intended depth of
field, what is a safe minimum shutter speed you need and select
the ISO number for that. For most scenes, it is not necesary
to apply Noise Reduction; under most circumstances not for
anything under ISO 1600. Noise, like grain in film, presents
itself when an image is badly underexposed. If you are unsure
about a tricky exposure, bracket at 1/3 steps.
Gone
are the days when we were limited by whatever film type we
had in our cameras. Now we can change ISO “sensitivity”
on the fly to meet whatever light conditions we find ourselves
experiencing. Learn to use the ISO settings on your D2x, and
take better pictures for your trouble!
Keep
on capturing time…
