Low light, high ISO... Impressed!
Discussion
I decided to have a play to see what my 7D could come up with in low light conditions. Considering I was coming from a 450D which only went as far as 1,600, and was realistically unrecoverable at anything over 400, I wasn't sure what to expect at ISO levels of 3,000+...
The first two were both taken on Sunday at the banger racing in Wimbledon in hazy drizzle at ISO 3,200, f2.8 and 1/640th shutter speed (having for some reason made allowance for hand-holding with the TC I no longer own!
) using a somewhat battered old Sigma 70-200mm.
Both are cropped in a fair amount, as it's not all that easy to get an uninterrupted viewpoint from the stands at the dog track!
3200 ISO test by Chris Walker Epsom, on Flickr
3200 ISO test 2 by Chris Walker Epsom, on Flickr
This one is uncropped, taken at ISO 4,000, f1.8 & 1/60th of a second using a Canon 28mm f1.8.
4000 ISO test by Chris Walker Epsom, on Flickr
Obviously I wouldn't choose to shoot at these ISO levels if I didn't have to, but I'm bloody impressed with the camera's ability to do so should the need arise!
The only noise reduction applied at all is the native noise reduction in Elements 8.
The first two were both taken on Sunday at the banger racing in Wimbledon in hazy drizzle at ISO 3,200, f2.8 and 1/640th shutter speed (having for some reason made allowance for hand-holding with the TC I no longer own!
) using a somewhat battered old Sigma 70-200mm.Both are cropped in a fair amount, as it's not all that easy to get an uninterrupted viewpoint from the stands at the dog track!
3200 ISO test by Chris Walker Epsom, on Flickr
3200 ISO test 2 by Chris Walker Epsom, on Flickr
This one is uncropped, taken at ISO 4,000, f1.8 & 1/60th of a second using a Canon 28mm f1.8.
4000 ISO test by Chris Walker Epsom, on Flickr
Obviously I wouldn't choose to shoot at these ISO levels if I didn't have to, but I'm bloody impressed with the camera's ability to do so should the need arise!
The only noise reduction applied at all is the native noise reduction in Elements 8.
I've had mixed feelings on the 7d. I went from a 400d to a 7d and initially I was amazed but as time went on I found it lacking when tested in darker conditions. Maybe it was my expectations that went up but I have done a few indoor FMX shows with low light and the shots have been dismal through a 50mm f1.8. It is a mid range camera though so I appreciate the things that it does do very well and tend not to bother with low level light shoots. I have two events at the O2 coming up though which I am dreading shooting but cant wait to attend.
Eve low ISO RAWs from the 7D aren't all that amazing. I hope mines not broke... Though I did find a site where they discovered that for video at least, ISO 160 was better than 100, 320 better than 200 etc. I think it's the same for the stills as well as I have found 160 smoother than 100.
Jpgs look fine though, so there is some good processing going on.
It's still a great camera though, glad to have it.
Jpgs look fine though, so there is some good processing going on.
It's still a great camera though, glad to have it.
My 7d kicked the crap out of the 350d I owned before it!
Easy 2-3 stops better. By that I mean I could make a print at ISO 3200-6400 at the same size (or better) than the 350d at ISO 800.
Its not that far behind the 5d2 either ( by a stop at most, probably less).
Dont pixel peep at higher ISO, look at the print.
any more complaining I will post my lizard again.
Easy 2-3 stops better. By that I mean I could make a print at ISO 3200-6400 at the same size (or better) than the 350d at ISO 800.
Its not that far behind the 5d2 either ( by a stop at most, probably less).
Dont pixel peep at higher ISO, look at the print.
any more complaining I will post my lizard again.
Kermit power said:
I'm not complaining, as most of the low light stuff I'm likely to do other than just to try it out will be low ISO long exposures, but having said that, what lizard? Post the lizard! 
ah my usually 7D high ISO shot.. ISO 3200 but at -1ev and pushed in post so in reality ISO 6400, processed with neat image. Would print up to A4 size.
RobDickinson said:
ah my usually 7D high ISO shot.. ISO 3200 but at -1ev and pushed in post so in reality ISO 6400, processed with neat image. Would print up to A4 size.
Very impressive, but also very misleading - not every ISO 3200/6400 shot is going to look like that ... Noise is far more visible/problematic in the shadows & blacks, which (for me at least) tends to be a big factor in the cases where I need to use high ISO.tim-b said:
Very impressive, but also very misleading - not every ISO 3200/6400 shot is going to look like that ... Noise is far more visible/problematic in the shadows & blacks, which (for me at least) tends to be a big factor in the cases where I need to use high ISO.
That's true, but I'm perfectly happy with the amount of noise in the blacks on my shots at the top. Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff