M8 and high ISO, questions

[eleskin]

Hi everyone!
On one of the posts I have read that to get good higher ISO, it is best to set the ISO to 160 and set the EV to -3. I have tried this and try my eye it does seem to eliminate the noise and banding issues I have seen in the past. So how many of you have used this method and do you like the results? Samples and input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[willie_901]

It does eliminate banding and minimizes noise because

• the M8 uses a two-stage analog DC amplifier to increase the sensor signal levels when ISO is above base ISO; at ISO 160 the low-gain stage is used; at higher ISOs (800 if memory serves) the camera switches to its high-gain amplifier
• with this method the part of the signal responsible for the banding (a.k.a. the artifacts) is not amplified to the point where it is digitized; similarly the read noise level is lower as well

However this useful technique is limited to a three stop 'push'.

In general newer technologies have lower artifact levels which only become digitized at much higher ISO amplifications.

At some point the signal from all sensors can be amplified to a level where artifact components become digitized. This is the reason some brands switch to digital multiplication to increase the signal (and noise levels) or a hybrid of digital and electronic methods at higher ISO settings.

 

[jsrockit]

Anyone have a example using this method vs. an ISO 1250 shot?

 

[mingkookoo]

-3EV test Leica M8/28mm Summicron ASPH by David Lam, on Flickr

 

[mingkookoo]

ISO160 -3EV Leica M8/28mm Summicron ASPH by David Lam, on Flickr

 

[mingkookoo]

ISO1250 0EV Leica M8/28mm Summicron ASPH by David Lam, on Flickr

 

[szekiat]

reminds me of shooting Tri-X on at 3200 rather than buying 3200 speed film 😛

 

[mingkookoo]

The last 2 pics were 100% screen grabbed with shadows pushed to +60. Zero sharpening and all other settings were left to zero.
Cheers

 

[mingkookoo]

Happy 10th belated Birthday M8 😉

 

[benmacphoto]

I'm picking up an M8 tomorrow so it will be cool to give this a try.
When I had one before I wasn't aware of the ISO trick, but really like the results shown here.
Thanks for posting them David.

 

[jsrockit]

I'll still to my modern CMOS cameras when it comes to high ISO.

 

[Fjäll]

I'm picking up an M8 tomorrow so it will be cool to give this a try.
When I had one before I wasn't aware of the ISO trick, but really like the results shown here.
Thanks for posting them David.

Nice to hear. Funny we read up on things like this before even owning an M8.

Sidenote:
I was on a hunt for a 50mm Summicron but I figured I'd sell my X100T and get an M8.2, problem solved. Haven't acquired the M8.2 though.

 

[mingkookoo]

You are welcome Ben, nice Blog by the way. Enjoy your M8 🙂

M8/8.2 is no high ISO Monster for sure (There are other cameras for that) . But the base ISO is really good.

Here's an old pic, one of my fav. Cheers!


50Summilux/M8 by David Lam, on Flickr

 

[mod2001]

ISO160 -3EV Leica M8/28mm Summicron ASPH by David Lam, on Flickr

Have you tried ISO640 -1EV for a comparison? As far as I can remember from the original thread in the LUF-forum you get better results than pushing 3 stops in LR. Easy said, use the M8 with the ISO settings until 640 (low gain stage and better result than push in LR) and from there use the a.m. method.

Yogi

 

[Chyn]

I've also noticed for my M8 images in Lightroom that shooting at iso 640 -1EV and boosting exposure post gives me great results. This improvement was even more pronounced after upgrading from earlier versions of Lightroom.

Anyhow, I will have to give the 3 stops method a try.