Tips for photographers: the advantages and disadvantages of various ISO speeds

Are you aware that ISO speeds of different levels have their own advantages and disadvantages? If you don’t already know, there is no perfect ISO rating for whatever situation you find yourself in.

However, when you know what ISO speed level to use and in the situation you are in, you can optimize your camera to give you the best results it is capable of. These speed levels can be divided into three; Low, medium and fast ISO rating.

The advantages and disadvantages of the different ISO speeds are shared below.

ISO Speeds #1: Low ISO Ratings (ISO 50-200)

The advantages

When you use low ISO speeds, the quality of the photos that your camera sensor gives you is at its best. Both tonal reproduction and colors will be of very high quality. Despite all that, the amount of noise produced will be minimal. It will also help blur moving objects.

Photographers who want to produce high-quality, enhanced images typically use slow shutter speeds. Landscape photography is an excellent example of a photographic genre that is best suited to low ISO speeds.

The disadvantages

A well-known disadvantage at low ISO speeds is camera shake while hand-holding the camera. When you use this low and take pictures in anything other than bright conditions, you will notice that the shutter speed is slower.

When the shutter speed is slower, it will blur moving subjects in your photos. This may not be the photo effect you want. Also, when you use wider apertures to let in more light, depth of field can be limited.

ISO Speeds #2: Mid ISO Ratings (ISO 250-400)

The advantages

The image quality produced at medium ISO ratings is very similar to low ISO ratings. The big benefit here is that you have access to faster shutter speeds as well as smaller apertures.

Medium ISO ratings are versatile ratings. In other words, this means that it is the best option when it comes to general photography. Medium ISO ratings are also very good ISO speed options for beginning photographers.

The disadvantages

The downside to using a medium ISO rating is that colors can appear less accurate or perhaps saturated.

ISO speeds #3: Fast ISO rates (ISO 500 and up)

The advantages

With fast ISO ratings, you can hold your DSLR in low light. When the shutter speed you use is fast enough, you can freeze moving subjects in low light.

Photographers often use extremely high ISO speeds to add grain, and in fact this is a common trick used to add mood. This technique works very well when converting images to black and white.

Fast shutter speeds are best suited to photographers who want shutter speeds fast enough to prevent camera shake. Fast shutter speeds are often used when shooting sports, as photographers need to freeze the actions of their subjects.

The disadvantages

Fast ISO ratings definitely produce lower quality images. The faster the speed, the lower the quality produced. Other than that, the amount of noise will increase. Also be prepared to see less realistic colors and loss in overall sharpness.