camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Things begin to get confusing when listening to lots of opinions. After ISO 1600 I dare to say that the majority of the cameras made have noise one way or the other. I am not familiar with Pentax but I am continuously reading here and somewhere else from owners who are very happy with their cameras.

It is common practice to "expose to the right" to control noise. You do not want underexposed images because noise will be present and I hope you know what exposing to the right means but if you do not a Google search will yield lots of useful information. Shooting RAW helps considerably since the camera collects raw data to the sensor without the intervention of the camera firmware.

There are also excellent noise reduction programs which are considerably cheaper than buying a new or used camera. Topaz DeNoise Ai is a new software with impressive noise performance. Since it is so new Topaz is beginning to offer tutorials and videos explaining how to use it, which is not that difficult and they have a 30 day free trial in case you want to try it. It is important that you know that applying the noise reduction before any editing of the files works best.

It is very possible that the cheapest and best solution will be exposing to the right and using noise reduction software.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

The Canon 6D has fantastic low-light capabilities. I have the older version. I love it!

Here are some very low-light photos I took at the Brevard Zoo:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-470932-1.html

The camera also has the capability of doing hand-held multi-shot low-noise photos, where it takes 5 shots in rapid sequence and stitches them all together to yield a photo with much less noise. I have only used that a few times, but have found that it works very well.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

WOW.....Gene you are so gifted and clever. I love this example of how you overcame that problem .Thank you so much for your wisdom and generous contributions to this forum.

JIMBO

Robert1 Loc: Davie, FL

Go with a Pentax K1 FF. Big difference from your K3 not just in terms of low light sensitivity.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The Pentax K-1 was Pentax's first full frame DSLR. It has the Sony 36 megapixels sensor. The same as in the Nikon D810. When Nikon upgraded to the D850, it came with 45.7 megapixels. An increase of nearly 10 megapixels. The Pentax K-1 Mark 2, will have the same sensor as its predecessor. I've only seen one K-1 that a photographer owned, last year at a kids Birthday Party. He said he liked it very much.

Bison Bud

First off thanks to all for their input so far. I also feel the need to tell Gene51 that his Pilliated Woodpecker photo is probably the best I've seen and this is my personal favorite bird to watch for and try to capture images, so far with little success. Also, his tip for controlling noise is very interesting and something I would never have thought of on my own and I will indeed try it myself very soon, thanks!

Next, I'd like to say that I'd love to have a new or used Pentax K1 or K1 Mark II, but I simply can't spend that much money anymore. My upper end is around $500.00 to maybe $600.00, but even that's a stretch on disability income.

I also really like the recommendations of looking into a Canon 6D and I did not realize that it was considered such a good low light performer. Maybe I can find a good deal on one somewhere soon, so thanks for the recommendations. In any case, I guess the 5D is now off my list, even though it is the most affordable option and I may need to save up for awhile longer to get into something more current.

All good feedback here, even those that recommended Nikons after I clearly stated that my lens stable contains only Pentax and Canon lenses. Still good to know what folks recommend and works well for this purpose, but the chances of my going Nikon at this point are slim to none. All in all, I'm still on the fence for now, but do appreciate all the feedback. Good luck and good shooting to all.

tomcat

There are a lot of folks that don’t know what you mean by “downsampling” or how to do it. Can you explain to them how you did it to get this spectacular image?

Kingman

Pentax KP (cropped sensor) has a similar very sensitive sensor to the K1 (FF) and costs new at $800.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Don't do it. I think you'll be disappointed.

I have a 5D Mark II... I bought it for low light specifically. It was "the best" at the time... better than the APS-C cameras of the day, certainly. HOWEVER, today's APS-C are better at high ISO work.

I never bought the original 5D... primarily because of it's reputation as a "dust magnet". But it's also only 11MP (a lot at the time, but not now). AND, it has a very primitive AF system.

5DII got increased to 21MP resolution. It also got a self-cleaning sensor, which in my opinion is a major game changer. Another feature added was Micro Focus Adjustment. And, for more shots per charge, the 5DII uses newer battery tech, was the first Canon to use LP-E6/LP-E6N batteries (which are still used today in several models).

HOWEVER, 5DII uses the same old 9-point AF system as the original 5D. Contrary to an earlier post, neither the 5D nor the 5DII is a "sports camera", by any means. They are hobbled with a simplistic AF system that's just not up to the task and don't have fast enough frame rate... at least they aren't nearly as good at action photography as other Canon models. Note: 5D/5DII actually have 15 AF points when the AF Assist feature is enabled, the camera is in AI Servo mode and All Points Auto is selected. However, the add'l AF points are "invisible" and are not user selectable. It is of limited help with moving subjects. The original 6D uses a similar AF system. These date back to the 20D and 30D... and today are only used on the most entry-level Rebel T7 and SL2 APS-C models.

You would need to get at least 5DIII if you want a higher performance AF system (61 point, 41 of which are higher performance dual axis type). Aside from the entry level, ANY of the APS-C models also have much better AF systems. 7D Mark II uses 65-point, all cross type. Rebel T7i, 77D and 80D all use a 45-point, all cross type system. The full framefull frame 6D Mark II uses very similar 45-point system, while the 5DIV and 1DX use a 61-point, all cross type system.

I am not familiar with Pentax DSLRs, so can't directly compare. But I can tell you that my much newer 7D Mark II (APS-C) have much higher usable ISO than my old 5D Mark II (and certainly the original 5D, which has a more limited ISO range). I don't think this would be a very good solution for you. Probably a newer APS-C Pentax or, if you can swing it, their full frame model, would serve you better.

RV Loc: Chicago

I would check out a new or used Nikon D610. Excellent Dynamic range and shoots well in low light. Next idea would be the D750. Good luck.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

After reading Gene's post I have a better understanding of WHY I always liked the look of my older, less MP cameras. An example being my Sony DSC-R1 with only 10.3 MP on an APS-C sensor. Less dense sensor with larger light gathering ability ? Good stuff to think about.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

You are going to get as many differing opinions on what is the "best" camera for you based upon what product(s) others have invested in. We all tend to think what we have is the best, etc. You might find some interesting alternatives at your local camera store where you can get "hands-on" advice, trying systems/bodies/lenses out to make up your mind what fits your needs. Once you have a camera in hand you may find that size, IQ, and feel are as important as low light capabilities. A few smaller format camera systems are easily challenging low-light capabilities of DSLRs and providing new technology to boot. UHH is a good start, but a poor substitute for leg-work at your local camera stores. Happy hunting...

Cheers!!!

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

I own a 5D and its high ISO performance is far surpassed by by later cameras, even the Canon 70D and Olympus M4/3 bodies (which I also own).

bleirer

Where can I find that list, or find out if a certain camera is 800 or 1600?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

That link runs right OFF my screen, TSHDGTL!!!