116
ISO SENSITIVITY
In traditional photography, the choice of the ISO value
reflects the light sensitivity of the film used. Higher
speed films allow faster shutter speeds and/or smaller
apertures and vice versa, at the same brightness. The
ISO setting on the Leica M Monochrom covers a range
of ISO 320–10 000. Optimum reproduction quality
is achieved by using the a setting of
ISO 320. Higher
sensitivities result in an increase in picture noise.
This effect can be compared to the “graining” that
occurs with highly sensitive films. The Pull 160 setting
has the same brightness as a sensitivity of ISO 160.
However, pictures taken using this setting have a lower
contrast range. When using this sensitivity setting, it
is important to make sure that important parts of the
image are not overexposed. The setting is made in
1
/
3
ISO increments, thus allowing delicate, targeted manual
adjustment of the shutter speed/aperture values to the
relevant situation.
In addition to the fixed settings, the Leica M
Monochrom also provides an
AUTO ISO function, in
which the camera adjusts the sensitivity automatically
to the ambient brightness. When used in conjunction
with aperture priority mode
1
(see p. 124), this
considerably extends the automatic exposure control
range, specifically by up to 4 aperture stops. However,
when using the function it is also possible to specify
priorities, for example for compositional reasons. This
enables you to limit the range of sensitivities used –
e.g. because of the noise mentioned above, and also
to set the shutter speed above which the automatic
increase in sensitivity is activated, e.g. to reliably
prevent blurred pictures.
1
The function is not available when setting the exposure manually
and when using flash units (always at
1
/
180
s).
Setting the function
1. Press and hold the
ISO
button (1.23).
• The possible settings appear in the monitor (1.32),
arranged in a grid.
2. While holding down the
ISO
button, use the setting
dial (1.29, forwards and backwards) or the direction
buttons (1.30, by row or column) to select the
desired sensitivity or the automatic setting.
Note:
When you release the
ISO
button, the list remains
visible for around
2s. Once the list disappears, the set value is applied.
If AUTO ISO is set, you can adjust the function to
your style of photography, or to your compositional
preferences
2
.
3. In the main menu (see p. 97/110), select AUTO ISO
Setup
(4.1.5), and
4.
Max ISO and/or Slowest speed in the sub-menu.
2
This function requires the use of coded lenses (see p. 104).
