Sounds like someone that is used to running a single camera looking in a specific direction. Try running 6 cameras with one pointing in each direction so that every thing is seen. That's a small rig. Do the same thing 22 cameras running at the same time to make one image. You'll be just fine with allowing the camera to adjust the ISO for you.
I once thought similarly to you are thinking now. I quickly gave that up for the specific type of shooting discussed. You quickly realize that the software in post for stitching is really good at what it does.