Extending ISO Range – ISO 50 – 25600
If, like me you own a Canon EOS 5D Mark 2, you will already know that it has an impressive ISO range, from ISO 100 all to way to ISO 6400 ISO.
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Unless you’ve bothered to read the manual (I must admit I had my camera for over a year before I bothered to fully read mine) you may not realise that the ISO range can be further expanded. This can take your ISO down to ISO 50 all the way up to an eye watering ISO 25600!
Firstly, What is ISO and what does ISO mean?
ISO “International Standards Organisations” It’s the sensitivity that the digital sensor (or film) has to the available light. A higher ISO is more sensitive it is too light. This means you can take photographs in lower light rather than having to relay on flash, or a tri-pod.
Why Extend the ISO?
Why the heck would you want to shoot this high you may well ask? After all the image will have so much noise (grain). This is of course true but when I was away on holiday earlier in the year there was a particular night time shot that I wanted. Not having a tripod with me to steady the camera with me and given the choice of a grainy photograph or no photograph then it had to be a grainy one.
How to extend your ISO 50 – 25600
1. Go to the Custom Functions Setting in the menu
2. Select C.Fn I: Exposure
3. Scroll through the Exposure options to Option 3: ISO Expansion, and select 1:On
I’m positive that I’d never use such a high ISO for any commercial photography that I do. For my own personal use however, where I like to travel light and won’t even take a speedlite with me, then I have no problem using it.
To me, having some grain is a lot better than having a photograph with lots of camera shake.
I hope you found this useful.
Note: Some other makes and models of cameras have a similar option so please refer to your manual for instructions on how to do this.
