Which Canon for better quality at high iso ?

[MeadsMan]

Hello all,I am using a Canon 400D,and find I am regularly having to bump up the iso to achieve blur free images.I am not actually unhappy with the results my 400D produces,but I do wonder which body would I upgrade too for under a £1000 to improve image quality at high iso settings ? The 50D and 500D from what I have read,are not exactly a leap forward regarding better quality at high iso,I don`t see that the 40D will do much better than my 400D,so sticking with canon what do you suggest ? I don`t really want second hand,and I have my 400mm prime which I adore,so swapping systems is not really an option Any suggestions,is a new SLR from Canon due ?

[charlieb]

If you want high ISO, then Nikon is the way to go IMHO

[MeadsMan]

I new that would be at least one of the answers It does seem that Nikon have raced ahead a little regarding the quality stakes at high iso.

[charlieb]

Originally Posted by MeadsMan

I new that would be at least one of the answers

The way I see it Canons are better suited for studio photography (where you have as much light as you want, and no need for high isos) whereas Nikons have decided to filled the gap for high isos.

[Stevelphoto]

It's best to wait a while IMO. I have the 40d and the 400d, and whilst the former is a far better camera, the high ISO performance isn't that much of an improvement. The 50d is reportedly inferior to the 40d at high ISO, so there's a good chance it'll be similar, if not worse than the 400d.

If you can't wait, a 1dmkIII or 1dsmkIII will offer you an improvement, but these cameras have a far smaller pixel density (which is primarily why they are better @ high ISO!) which, because of the smaller crop factors will result in apparent loss of focal length. They're very expensive too.
It's worth waiting to see what the next prosumer camera will be like for high ISO, and I expect the next canon pro cameras will be more than a match for the Nikons in the high ISO stakes.

I can get relatively clean shots with the 400d @ ISO 800 if there's a light coloured background and the exposure is spot on.

[John D]

I have both the Canon 400D and 40D and can't say I have any real problems withy noise. Both can provide very acceptable images at ISO 1600 and I have never had the need to go above that and can't think I ever will.

However if noise is a concern there are several very good pieces of software that can be used,such as 'Neat Image'. There is a 'free version' which can be enough in some cases.
John D

[Ollie]

With all due respect I would not say a new camera body would improve on blurred images. The 400D is quite capable of taking blur free images at low or high ISO speeds.

I would rather say it's camera shake more than ISO speeds that are the problem. I would suggest if you are not already doing so to use either a good tripod or monopod.

Sorry to sound so negative but it may be cheaper than a new body which if not suported will still produce blurred images at low ISO speeds.

[MeadsMan]

Originally Posted by Ollie

With all due respect I would not say a new camera body would improve on blurred images. The 400D is quite capable of taking blur free images at low or high ISO speeds.

I would rather say it's camera shake more than ISO speeds that are the problem. I would suggest if you are not already doing so to use either a good tripod or monopod.

Sorry to sound so negative but it may be cheaper than a new body which if not suported will still produce blurred images at low ISO speeds.

Ollie,My favourite subjects are Deer,the reason I bump up the iso is to increase the shutter speed to avoid camera shake and subject movement,I do a lot of my photography toward the end of the day,when light levels are begining to drop.I pretty much always support My camera,with either a tripod or monopod.It`s why I was wondering what was out there offering better results at high iso settings,as I am often falsed to use 800 iso and above,or not get a photo at all.

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by MeadsMan

Ollie,My favourite subjects are Deer,the reason I bump up the iso is to increase the shutter speed to avoid camera shake and subject movement,I do a lot of my photography toward the end of the day,when light levels are begining to drop.I pretty much always support My camera,with either a tripod or monopod.It`s why I was wondering what was out there offering better results at high iso settings,as I am often falsed to use 800 iso and above,or not get a photo at all.

Yep, I can see your point especially about when the light is failing and a high ISO speed is necessary to get the shutter speed.

I also use a Canon 400 F5.6L prime lens and although I'm using a 40D at present I have taken hundreds of photos with a 400D at ISO 800 and sometimes above and found them very acceptable for noise levels. The 40D is in my opinion no better or worse for noise than the 400D.

If noise is a problem, like John D I would recommend Neat Image. It's a fantastic little programme that is a free download but you can get a paid for version that works as a plug in in photoshop the full version or PS Elements.

I use it myself on any of my images that need it.

[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.