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.”

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…