My “Meaningless” ISO Experiment
It’s a question that has nagged at me for quite some time: “Are the ISO settings across different camera brands and analog film types really the same?” As someone who thrives on both the technical and the artistic details of photography, I decided to dive headfirst into this query in as scientific a method as possible. Armed with a digital camera, a large format film camera with a medium format film adapter, and a Polaroid I-2 camera, I set out on a mission to capture the same photo at the same ISO across these vastly different systems. This experiment spanned a full day in February, with a follow-up session during the summer to ensure I had all the data I needed.
The Setup: Preparing for the Experiment
I began by selecting an interesting location that offered plenty of contrast in lighting situations without moving subjects like people, animals or vehicles. In other words, this location needed to provide enough variety in light conditions to really test the cameras but remain consistent enough for a fair comparison. After much deliberation, I chose a small stretch of Idaho State Highway 55 with clear views of hillsides, boulders, and the mighty Payette River.
The first day of testing was on a surprisingly pleasant February afternoon. I set up each camera meticulously, ensuring that all were set to the same ISO value. My digital camera was set to ISO 160, my large format film camera was loaded with ISO 160 film, and I even purchased the more expensive Polaroid SX-70 film to achieve that necessary ISO value of 160.
The February Test: Blasting through Film
The February afternoon was brisk, the air crisp and the light powerful as the sun began setting. I started shooting much later than intended. As a father, much of my morning centers around entertaining a toddler, but I digress. Despite the late start, there was still enough time to fill an entire roll of 120 Kodak Portra and finish off a pack of Polaroid film. Each camera presented its own set of challenges.
(from left to right, top to bottom - Kodak Portra 160, Sony A7RV, Polaroid SX-70, Sony A7RV, Polaroid SX-70, Sony A7RV, Kodak Portra 160, Sony A7RV)
With my digital camera, the immediate feedback on the screen was both a blessing and a curse. It was easy to adjust and perfect each shot, but I also found myself second-guessing every decision. The large format film camera, on the other hand, required patience and precision. Every shot counted, and there was no room for error. The greatest challenge, though was the Polaroid camera was the wild card, each click a small gamble with instant results. The cold air resulted in blue/green overtones making it difficult to examine and compare.
(left - uncorrected, right - color graded)
Throughout the day, I took identical shots with each camera, from the harsher midday sun to the last of the setting sunlight. The large format film captured the scene with incredible detail, the digital camera provided sharp and immediate feedback, and the Polaroid delivered its characteristic dreamy aesthetic despite its blue color tones.
The Summer Follow-Up: Confirming the Results
To ensure my findings were consistent, I repeated the experiment on a warm summer day. The heat was different, more intense, but the process remained the same between my Polaroid and my digital camera. This time, the colors were more vibrant, the shadows deeper, and the overall atmosphere warmer. Despite these changes, the core of the experiment was unchanged: capturing the same scene at the same ISO across three different systems.
The Results: What Did I Discover?
After developing the film, comparing the Polaroids, and reviewing the digital images, I found that the results were remarkably consistent. The ISO settings across all three systems produced very similar exposures. The differences that did exist were more a result of the cameras' inherent characteristics than the ISO settings themselves.
Conclusion: A Meaningless Yet Enlightening Experiment
So, what did I learn from this seemingly meaningless ISO experiment? The main takeaway is that ISO has been standardized for a reason. The consistency across different camera systems is by design, ensuring photographers can rely on their settings regardless of the medium. This standardization makes the test itself “meaningless” in the sense that the outcome was predictable. However, seeing the results with my own eyes reinforced my understanding and confidence in this fundamental aspect of photography.
It’s easy to get caught up in the technicalities, but sometimes, it’s these very technicalities that provide a deeper appreciation for the art and science of photography. This experiment, while confirming what I already knew, gave me a renewed sense of trust in the tools I use to capture the world around me.
Photography is a blend of art and precision, and experiments like this remind me just how beautifully those two elements coexist. So, even in its predictability, this experiment was far from meaningless. It was a reaffirmation of the reliability of our craft and a testament to the meticulous standards that govern it.
-Jude