A. Digital Camera - Nikon - D3 - ISO Test

[Fen]

This test has been done using a Nikon D3 and the Nikkor Micro 105mm AF-S VR f2.8G IF-ID lens attached. The camera was mounted on a tripod to maintain the same position through all shots.

All photos were taken in Aperture Priority mode at f/10.

The first image is ISO 200 and shows the area of the crop for the comparison photos which are displayed at 'Actual Size'. All details are under each photo.




PHOTO 01

ISO 100
A - f/10
S - 1.6 sec


PHOTO 02

ISO 200
A - f/10
S - 0.8 sec


PHOTO 03

ISO 400
A - f/10
S - 1/2 sec


PHOTO 04

ISO 640
A - f/10
S - 1/4 sec


PHOTO 05

ISO 1000
A - f/10
S - 1/6 sec


PHOTO 06

ISO 2500
A - f/10
S - 1/15 sec


PHOTO 07

ISO 4000
A - f/10
S - 1/25 sec


PHOTO 08

ISO 6400
A - f/10
S - 1/40 sec


PHOTO 09

ISO 10000
A - f/10
S - 1/60 sec

PHOTO 10

ISO 25600
A - f/10
S - 1/160 sec

[Barney]

The quality of the high ISO crops is quite staggering. As NeilL pointed out on the Appraisal board, the high ISO quality of digital far surpasses what was achievable with much lower ISO's with film.

[john_g]

Well, I'd not buy one - the noise in the ISO 25600 shot is clearly visible.

[turbulentwheat]

dreadful - they just dont make them like they used to..

[alanS]

Good God.

Well done Nikon.

[El_Sid]

^^^
WHS

[beejaybee]

The quality of the high ISO crops is quite staggering. As NeilL pointed out on the Appraisal board, the high ISO quality of digital far surpasses what was achievable with much lower ISO's with film.

Indeed - though signal to noise ratio is not improving past ISO 4000. And it's signal to noise ratio, not noise per se, which is the important factor to me.

BTW even with the Canon EOS 5D you can get "ISO 12800" by setting expanded ISO range, "high" ISO (3200) and dialling in two stops of correction in Canon's Raw Image tool. I wouldn't reccommend as the results look pretty similar to the Nikon D3 at 25600.

[turbulentwheat]

It's fantastic isnt it. Held one in my hands last week..it'll be the closest I'll ever get to one..price and size and weightwise and honestly wouldnt need anyway. I was reading in another photo mag yesterday that many sports photojournalists are ditching their canons for the D3 which has earnt the nickname 'black gold'. The images are just staggering.

Very well done Nikon indeed

[Barney]

Good God.

I know, Fen's bedroom looks a right tip!

[TimF]

Fascinating. Any chance of seeing numero Ten in B&W?

[Monobod]

I said you wouldn't regret buying it, didn't I!

Not much to complain about there, then.

[Fen]

Fascinating. Any chance of seeing numero Ten in B&W?

No problem... Converted in Lightroom to B&W. Both photos are the ISO-25600 version

Full image:



Closeup:

[TimF]

A rather belated thanks Fen (somehow I forgot to remember to come back here!)

Looks good in B&W I reckon.

[alanS]

OMG! Where will it all end?

Well done Nikon.

[Adesw]

Good God.

I know, Fen's bedroom looks a right tip!

I see no cage!...