Weird noise artifacts here.
Probably not so weird when printed. The rest is quite ok.
Edit: M8 at 2500 does not look so good.
Nitpicking aren't we?
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I opened the D700 files in photoshop which I don't generally use as a rule ... I normally PP with ACDSee Pro or Lightroom. Photoshop really cleans these files up without degrading them a lot ... I was quite stunned at how much more effective it is than Lightroom for removing noise!
I don't think I would ever make a habit of shooting the D700 at this high ISO though. Even in the darkest galleries I use it in I get away comfortably with 3200 or 6400 at f2. It makes you wonder where we'll be in five years from now though ... maybe the resolution the Nikon currently provides at 6400 will be available at 25600?
I don't think I would ever make a habit of shooting the D700 at this high ISO though. Even in the darkest galleries I use it in I get away comfortably with 3200 or 6400 at f2. It makes you wonder where we'll be in five years from now though ... maybe the resolution the Nikon currently provides at 6400 will be available at 25600?
gavinlg
Veteran
Which version of lightroom do you have Keith? Version 3 has much improved NR over the previous versions.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Version 2 Gav ... what's 3.2 ... an updated 3?
Can't afford version 3 at the moment though!
Gray Fox
Well-known
If you're hungering for something like this, go look at the specs on the D5100 released yesterday. I may have to start saving my spare change to get one later in the year. Couldn't justify the 7000, but its less expensive kid brother, perhaps. Thom Hogan has a write-up.
peterm1
Veteran
Wow I like it. The images have very pronounced noise but it looks quite like film grain. I would be happy to guy one if it can do this.
gavinlg
Veteran
Yeah it's up to v3.2 or something like that... When I upgraded to lightroom 3 from 2 it was like getting a new camera. I gained about 1-1.5 stops better noise performance on the 5d without any noise reduction. The noise reduction is also amazing - far superior to the lr2 NR.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Here's one of the previous images converted to black and white and more noise reduction added.
I'm not saying it looks like grain because I don't necessarily think digital should be attempting to mimick film deliberately in this way. The noise that remains in this image is not unpleasant to the eye in black and white IMO.
I'm not saying it looks like grain because I don't necessarily think digital should be attempting to mimick film deliberately in this way. The noise that remains in this image is not unpleasant to the eye in black and white IMO.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I meant to add ... if anyone else has images shot at this ISO that they'd like to post here please do.
And even better still if they've been PP'd with LR3!
And even better still if they've been PP'd with LR3!
Pablito
coco frío
Yes, they are limitations unlike any before. But limitations nonetheless.
This is not a magic camera or the ultimate achievement of humanity. It's just remarkable by today's standards, and, to me at least, it's just as interesting to see what it can do as what it can't do. I will buy the next generation D700, not because I don't want or admire what the current one can do (limitations and all!) but because my current projects don't involve that much low light work and I can wait.
NickTrop
Veteran
Wow, Keith - absolutely amazing. FF DSLR - clearly the new low light king. Even the noise looks acceptable - somewhat like film grain, and I like the aesthetic of these images in the same way I like grainy old Tri-X - but in color. Impressive.
SteveM(PA)
Poser
Nice Keith, and I dig Carol's house also.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Morca007
Matt
Looks better than most 800 speed color film shot in anything but bright daylight!
isorgb
Well-known
I meant to add ... if anyone else has images shot at this ISO that they'd like to post here please do.
And even better still if they've been PP'd with LR3!
I have one from Epson R-D1 ISO1600 + simple 4EV
Not good like your Nikon.
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TaoPhoto
Documentary Photographer
The high iso pictures are interesting, even impressive. However, for still life, as many of these pictures were, iso 100 and a tripod will give a much nicer outcome. The only thing I see such high iso useful for would be action shots in very low like conditions. Have you tried any of those? That would be telling of what the camera can do in low light. Otherwise, it's just an alternate mixing of iso, aperture, and shutter speed. One with enough problems that it's barely printable.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I agree to a point but I also believe it's good to explore different looks within photography. I think the images from the Epson posted above are an example of this ... not everyone's cup of tea maybe but I really like them.
Of course the huge advantage of high usable ISO's as you say is low light action photography.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I have one from Epson R-D1 ISO1600 + simple 4EV
Not good like your Nikon.
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After:
Excellent outcome here ... I like the look of these.
It totally gets away from that smooth, clean, sharp, digital pre-conception that the medium has pinned on it IMO.
Chinasaur
Well-known
I like that noise though...removes the sterility of digital. Be good in B&W.