Low Light Cameras
Aug 11, 2020 20:53:24 #
kfoo
Loc: Arkansas
I notice that a lot of cameras are rated better in low light situations. Is this rating based on the camera body or does it depend on what lens is on the camera?
Aug 11, 2020 20:55:24 #
Sensor and electronics in the body.
Possibly processing software also.
Not the lens explicitly.
Possibly processing software also.
Not the lens explicitly.
Aug 11, 2020 21:20:31 #
kfoo wrote:
I notice that a lot of cameras are rated better in low light situations. Is this rating based on the camera body or does it depend on what lens is on the camera?
Since the lens is interchangeable that kinda rules it out of the equation.
Aug 12, 2020 00:11:29 #
User ID wrote:
Since the lens is interchangeable that kinda rules it out of the equation.
I disagree. A fast lens can make a lot of difference.
Aug 12, 2020 06:39:50 #
RichardTaylor wrote:
I disagree. A fast lens can make a lot of difference.
Of course the lens makes a difference in an actual shoot but its not part of the ISO rating.
Aug 12, 2020 06:54:01 #
RichardTaylor wrote:
I disagree. A fast lens can make a lot of difference.
Disagree as you will, but you are rating a lens for its low light benefits, not rating a camera’s low light ability. So you are not addressing the actual question as-asked. Perhaps read it again.
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I’ve moved the same lens from camera to camera and the 10 yr old sensor is low light hopeless compared to the current sensor ... and clearly, that lens isn’t gathering fewer or more photons as it is moved from camera to camera.
It’s ALL about the camera.
Aug 12, 2020 07:46:57 #
Some cameras are better with low light than others to answer your question.
Shooting at say 6400 iso with three different cameras will yield three different images as far as 'grain' is concerned.
I can shoot no problem at 6400 with the Sony A7RIV.
If I do the same with my Sony A77II ... what a mess.
Yes, the sensor and processor and software make a HUGE difference.
Shooting at say 6400 iso with three different cameras will yield three different images as far as 'grain' is concerned.
I can shoot no problem at 6400 with the Sony A7RIV.
If I do the same with my Sony A77II ... what a mess.
Yes, the sensor and processor and software make a HUGE difference.
Aug 12, 2020 08:35:06 #
RichardTaylor wrote:
I disagree. A fast lens can make a lot of difference.
Correct, but a totally separate condition...
Aug 12, 2020 09:37:11 #
User ID wrote:
Since the lens is interchangeable that kinda rules it out of the equation.
Some, lenses are not interchangeable - in which case the lens DOES figure into the equation....The term low light camera is usually applied to point and shoots - but not exclusively.
.
Aug 12, 2020 09:44:46 #
imagemeister wrote:
Some, lenses are not interchangeable - in which case the lens DOES figure into the equation....The term low light camera is usually applied to point and shoots - but not exclusively.
.
.
Read the question. Freedom to choose lenses is indicated. That eliminates P&S.
Read the OP. “Camera body” is contrasted with “What lens is on the camera”. That difference applies only to interchangeable lens systems.
Aug 12, 2020 09:50:08 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
A flash, even the most simple and basic, solves a lot of "available dark" problems.
Aug 12, 2020 09:51:41 #
gvarner wrote:
A flash, even the most simple and basic, solves a lot of "available dark" problems.
Doesn't answer the question.
What if use of a flash is not desired?
Aug 12, 2020 09:54:41 #
With any capture which has dark areas in the scene (the shadows), those areas can become very noisy when lightened in PP. With a low light camera those dark areas will be relatively noise-free when they are lightened. In addition to that, any camera showing that characteristic will also be relatively noise-free when using high ISOs.
That characteristic is often referred to as the camera's low light high ISO performance. It used to be that there was a distinct connection between the size of the sensor's pixels and its low light performance, so the resolution of the sensor was a significant factor. However, in recent years the in-camera processing has become more of a factor and the disadvantage of small sensor pixels can be largely negated (depending on the processing). As a consequence, a high resolution sensor can have a low light high ISO performance that is almost as good as that of a low resolution sensor, all other factors being equal.
That characteristic is often referred to as the camera's low light high ISO performance. It used to be that there was a distinct connection between the size of the sensor's pixels and its low light performance, so the resolution of the sensor was a significant factor. However, in recent years the in-camera processing has become more of a factor and the disadvantage of small sensor pixels can be largely negated (depending on the processing). As a consequence, a high resolution sensor can have a low light high ISO performance that is almost as good as that of a low resolution sensor, all other factors being equal.
Aug 12, 2020 09:59:26 #
gvarner wrote:
A flash, even the most simple and basic, solves a lot of "available dark" problems.
Reeeeeeeeally ? Flash ?!?!?
Do you hafta work extra hard to get so toadally irrelevant ? Try reading the OP.
Aug 12, 2020 10:03:51 #
RichardTaylor wrote:
I disagree. A fast lens can make a lot of difference.
You can put an F1.2 lens on a Nikon D100 and it won't make it a camera that is good in low light.
You can put the same lens on a D3S or D4/D5 and shoot all night long at ISO 25,600 (or higher with the newer cameras) and it will take way better pictures in lower light. A low light camera by definition is one that is really good at high ISO and sensitive enough to focus and read light at -3 EV.
While a fast lens will help a little, few fast lenses offer corner to corner sharpness and freedom from aberrations when used wide open, and the depth of field will be razor thin.
So, I disagree with your disagreement.
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