ISO Speeds

[beanbag]

Just a question about the faster ISO speeds. Whenever I use a speed faster than 800, I begin to get a grainy effect. At 1600 it's very noticable and then at 3200 it's a bit silly.

How do you avoid this problem? I've got an EOS 300D if it helps and I'm using the firmware hack hence the higher than standard ISO speed (3200).

Cheers!

[beano500]

1) Do it deliberately for the effect

2) Get more light on the scene

3) Attack in on RAW conversion/in Photoshoppe

4) Get a faster lens ( ££££ )

The "grain" you are seeing is a manifestation of the signal to noise ratio deteriorating as you get (or force, by switching ISO) less photons at the sensor.

[ehasler]

Try running the files through something like Noise Ninja or Neat Image - they will reduce the noise considerably.

[_dobbo_]

ehasler said:

Try running the files through something like Noise Ninja or Neat Image - they will reduce the noise considerably.

Ed, I'd be interested to know whether you think at is1600 noise ninja or the like helps with flesh tones - I find it makes everything look very soft, and I'd rather have the noise!

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

_dobbo_ said:

Ed, I'd be interested to know whether you think at is1600 noise ninja or the like helps with flesh tones - I find it makes everything look very soft, and I'd rather have the noise!

Try Neat Image and reduce the amount of high frequency noise reduction. I've had good results like that.

[GetCarter]

3200?

[beano500]

GetCarter said:

3200?

Hole, coal, cat, black - might be a tad underexposed still?

[Nacnud]

My 20D at 3200 ISO produces less noise than my older S40 at 200 ISO.
The noise is sufficiently understated that NeatImage can sort it without side-effects.

3200 ISO still struggles in the dark, it's only 4 or 5 stops up from 'normal'.
It's only really useful to reduce the camera shake on a hand held shot that would be worth a go at 400 ISO, it just improves the odds of getting a sharp shot.

[beanbag]

Cheers all for the advise. Yeah, 3200 is great for those very dark shots. It looks great in the park at night when there is very little light and you convert the photo to B&W. Amazing!

I'll try with those PS plug-ins. Cheers!

Nick

[Bee_Jay]

beanbag said:

It looks great in the park at night when there is very little light and you convert the photo to B&W. Amazing!

Now we know who sells all those dodgy piccies of MPs to the tabloids...