Which Canon for better quality at high iso ?

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

I mostly use a 1d mkII n but I don't think its any better at handling noise than my 30d.

To get rid of the noise I use a simple but excellent tip that I picked up on WAB. In case anyone missed it I think its worthy of a repeat...


First of all install Neat Image as a plugin for Photoshop Elements.

Use the lasso tool in elements to select the outline of your main subject.

Apply sharpening only to the bit inside the lasso.

From the 'Select' menu, choose 'Inverse'. This will de-select your main subject and highlight the noisy backround.

Then go to Neat Image via the 'Filter' menu and remove the noise.

You should end up with a sharp main subject and a blurred, noise free background.

That's the method I use and it works very well. I might add that it is possible to run neat image more than once on the same photograph.

This can be helpful when the background isn't a consistent colour as you can manually choose which area of the background you wish to use as the sample for neat image. Often choosing a different area of the background will have a greater or lesser effect on the blurring. You can always use the undo button if you aren't happy with the effect.

[AndyD]

Hi,

I currently have a 40D and a 50D and have to say that I've been disappointed with the results on the 50D. To me it does seem to suffer from noise at higher ISOs. This is probably due to the higher pixel density.

If you're looking to spend less than £1000 on a Canon but want lower noise levels then I would stear clear of the current crop and search out a low use 5D mkI. It has a full frame sensor so you'll lose out on the crop factor advantage but, because its 12.8M pixels are less crammed the noise levels should be much better than the APS-C sensor models. You should be able to pick up one for about £800-£900. It's a lot for a second hand camera but if you look on eBay they always sell well, which speaks for itself.

[MeadsMan]

Thanks Andy,it seems Canon are about to release a new DSLR the 7D,it claims to perform better at high iso settings,infact it sounds almost perfect for me,I hope if it lives up to it`s claims.Looks like it is going to cost around the £1500 £1700 mark though

[AndyD]

I'll not hold my breath on the high ISO performance of the 7D. Canon seem to be fixated with cramming more and more pixels onto the APS-C sensor. The 7D is an 18Mp camera. I'll be very pleasantly surprised if the ISO performance is even on a par with the 40D let alone better. Here's hoping...

Personally I would have preferred them to use the APS-H sensor out of the 1D range. With twin DIGIC IV processors it would have been a camera to truelly fill the gap between the 50D and the 5D mkII or even 1D MkIII.

To my mind Canon seem to be overfilling their portfolio. Choosing a camera is confusing enough as it is. Canon's range of DSLRs overlap on several different fronts and for me not one of them delivers everything that I would wish for. That is until you start looking at the 1D and 1Ds....

[colincurry]

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

I mostly use a 1d mkII n but I don't think its any better at handling noise than my 30d.

To get rid of the noise I use a simple but excellent tip that I picked up on WAB. In case anyone missed it I think its worthy of a repeat...


First of all install Neat Image as a plugin for Photoshop Elements.

Use the lasso tool in elements to select the outline of your main subject.

Apply sharpening only to the bit inside the lasso.

From the 'Select' menu, choose 'Inverse'. This will de-select your main subject and highlight the noisy backround.

Then go to Neat Image via the 'Filter' menu and remove the noise.

You should end up with a sharp main subject and a blurred, noise free background.

Well Billy

Thanks for this very practical advice and so clearly expressed.

It really makes a difference, especially now that I have a full version of Neatimage rather than the demo which only worked on part of the image if the picture were too large.

No excuses left, now; other than operator error!

Colin

[colincurry]

PS I have just discovered the magnetic lasso which makes it much easier to manipulate.

I'll catch up, one day.

Colin