ISO?

[denaliwind]

Can someone explain to me what exactly the ISO settings do in a camera? Does it have anything to do with film sensitivity to light?

Comments

[rosettanettle]

Yeah, it's a sensitivity to light. There's also an increase in grain, or noise in digital, as the ISO increases. The original standards were in relation to silver sensitivity and I think digital is emulating that.

Basically, a smaller number requires more light, but will show less grain. ISO 200 film was sold as daylight film. iSO 1600 was used for concerts in nightclubs. Higher ISO is "faster". Meaning it doesn't take as long to let in an equal amount of light.

There's also the relation to aperture and exposure times in there.

[kawaii_mon]

Basically what rosettanettle said. This cheat sheet might help you get your head around the various settings of a dSLR: http://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/photography-cheat-sheet-20110705-135950.jpg

[heimdalalr]

also with a lower iso, since it takes more time for the light to get into the lens, its better to use a tripod or something since it will cause blur if your hands are shaking/if you are taking pics of anything moving.