What is ISO Grouping?
It’s a term I invented, but it basically means – try to shoot a scene with ISOs that match in noise and color, so you don’t have to force them to match later in post. The objective of the lesson is to group ISOs so you know if you step out of a group for the same scene, the shot might not match what preceded it.
Now here’s a video in which we explore the noise performance at various ISOs in all picture profiles:
Takeaways
Here’s a quick chart for you to use:
800% Rec. 709 – Avoid – the noise and colors at all ISOs are ugly
S-Log2 Full frame
- Great – ISO 800 to 1600
- Up to you – ISO 3200 to 6400 and ISO 12800
- Avoid – ISO 25600
S-Log2 APS-C mode (APS-C works better at high ISOs)
- Great – ISO ISO 800 to 1600 and ISO 3200 to 6400
- Up to you – ISO 12800 and ISO 25600
Special Note: If you have to shoot FF and punch in occasionally to APS-C, then stick to ISO 800-1600 for FF, and then go to high ISOs if necessary only in APS-C. In other words, stay within the green zones.
Everything else (Movie, Still and Cine profiles)
- Great – ISO 100 to 800 and ISO 1600 to 3200 (either the first four or the last two)
- Up to you – ISO 6400 to 12800
- Avoid – ISO 25600
Takeaways
- Generally, try to stay below ISO 3200 and only push to 6400 if you’re absolutely desperate
- APS-C mode has better noise control than full frame
- Avoid ISO 25,600 completely
- Avoid 800% Rec. 709 completely
