do ISO setting only affect the metering on a camera?

[swanlake1]

I just realized this...but maybe I'm wrong. ISO settings only affect the metering on the camera. So, if you use a light meter, there's no need to set ISO since the aperture and shutter speeds will remain constant regardless of the ISO settings. Is this correct? Thanks!

 

[BrianShaw]

Yes

 

[swanlake1]

ahhh...thanks! It took me a few months to figure that one out

 

[MattKing]

Two cautions.

First, if you are using flash, and have a flash and camera combination that automates (fully or partially) flash exposure, then for some flash and camera combinations, setting the EI/ISO on the camera sets it on the flash as well.

Secondly, setting the EI/ISO on the camera helps you to keep track of which film you actually have in the camera/film back.

The second advantage is sometimes quite important

 

[swanlake1]

ah...this is very true! I can hardly remember what film is in what camera sometimes.

 

[RobC]

I just realized this...but maybe I'm wrong. ISO settings only affect the metering on the camera. So, if you use a light meter, there's no need to set ISO since the aperture and shutter speeds will remain constant regardless of the ISO settings. Is this correct? Thanks!

Providing camera is set to manual mode and not in aperture priority, shutter speed priority or some other auto mode which will all do stuff according to camera ISO speed. So remember to switch to manual.
I'm guessing your camera doesn't have 3200 ISO setting which is quite common with older cameras.

You can always set it to 400 in aperture priority mode, check the readings it gives and then switch to manual and close down 2 stops if you are using 3200 speed and don't have a setting for it.

 

[swanlake1]

I think all my cameras are from a time before aperture priority was invented

 

[AgX]

Program auto-exposure started in 1959 (with Agfa Optima).

 

[swanlake1]

Program auto-exposure started in 1959 (with Agfa Optima).

OK, I stand corrected!