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iso invariance

G
Gonz
Thu, Aug 26, 2021 8:31 PM

Yet another article where the math/information theory doesn't line up
with their conclusions.  Yes, ISO invariance works, but no, you will
not get the same information out if your information density is
different.  I.e. if all I did was change the ISO but kept the same
setting otherwise, the lower ISO image will contain less information
and even though you can "restore" the image to "look" a lot like the
high ISO image, the information bins in the darker image will be less
and each one will map to a range of values in the full dynamic range
of the camera.  Taken at an extreme, if all you have left is a single
bit of range, then every pixel will be black or white, no matter how
you slide the exposure in lightroom.

Basically, pick the settings: ISO/shutter/aperture where you have the
brightest highlight you want to keep at the maximum (to the right) and
you will get the max information and flexibility out of your image.

https://fstoppers.com/astrophotography/why-iso-invariance-so-special-576896

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Yet another article where the math/information theory doesn't line up with their conclusions. Yes, ISO invariance works, but no, you will not get the same information out if your information density is different. I.e. if all I did was change the ISO but kept the same setting otherwise, the lower ISO image will contain less information and even though you can "restore" the image to "look" a lot like the high ISO image, the information bins in the darker image will be less and each one will map to a range of values in the full dynamic range of the camera. Taken at an extreme, if all you have left is a single bit of range, then every pixel will be black or white, no matter how you slide the exposure in lightroom. Basically, pick the settings: ISO/shutter/aperture where you have the brightest highlight you want to keep at the maximum (to the right) and you will get the max information and flexibility out of your image. https://fstoppers.com/astrophotography/why-iso-invariance-so-special-576896 --