cjvaccaro Loc: mahopac ny

Without sounding too naive. I have noticed people say that you can get a bad copy of a lens. Does this apply to the degree of noise at mid to higher ISO with sensors. Where one one body's sensor is better than another?

This could be a grass is always greener, type of problem. But from reviews and others people's images compared to my images, my images always seem to have more noise.

Is there a way to test for this type of thing?

It's a newly purchased Nikon refurbished D850.

Thanks

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Since noise is proportional to ISO, are you perhaps shooting at a higher ISO than the people you’re comparing to? Also, do you have any sort of high ISO noise reduction enabled, and are you doing any noise reduction in post processing?

cjvaccaro Loc: mahopac ny

I'm probably over reacting, It is easy enough to remove the noise in post, usually with just slight tweaks no AI required :) . I have minimal camera noise reduction setting in camera, and shoot raw. I could also just be expecting too much from ISO above 800.

Thank you for you quick reply

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

People who claim a 'bad copy' of any output of modern manufacturing technique are likely also to believe: Success is the photographer and Failure is the equipment. Of course, problems are not zero, but the problems are statistically much lower from the near 15 million worldwide cameras sold in 2019 than the comments here at UHH would seem to indicate.

Addressing your specific model, ISO settings, shooting and processing technique are best discussed by posting and storing original JPEGs so we can download the image(s) to see the pixel-level details and all the camera settings in the EXIF. We can then provide actionable ideas specific to your camera, lens and / or shooting situations.

Alternatively, you might consider your images against these ISO-5000 examples (and links to ISO-4000 and ISO-3200) and determine if changes in your exposure or processing technique will help in your final results.

Shooting at high ISOs (ISO-5000)

bleirer

If you are shooting raw if doesn't really matter what you set in the camera for noise reduction. I'd you use the software that came with the camera it might start you with the camera setting but that is then changeable. If you use other software it will not know what was set in the camera and use the default for that program or whatever you have as a preset. I think some baseline noise is inevitable even in ideal circumstances both because light has a random component and processing the raw file itself introduces some of its own noise. So you have to use a certain amount of noise reduction.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I do specific tests with regard to exposure with every camera I use. I also do this test for some of my associates who live locally. I've found a slight difference in same make/model cameras with respect to exposure. It is very slight but when using the exposure techniques I use that slight difference becomes something of which to be aware.
--Bob

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I have rented more than three D850's, all produced excellent images. My current D850 also produces excellent images right out of the box.
I have never heard of one not functioning properly. I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest shooter's error.
Your comment about a bad copy of a lens makes me smile. I, usually over Christmas vacation help an old friend who owns a large and busy camera store. We had folks bring in a lens after a week of use to return it because they said it was a bad copy, after they left the store we would always test the lens and always found nothing wrong with it, USER ERROR.
I used to be a Nikon rep before there was dirt. We always faced the same issue. That's why big camera companies have refurbished equipment. There is nothing wrong with refurbished equipment, but there was something wrong with the photographer who returned it.
I am not saying there has never been a bad copy, but it is extremely, extremely rare. Major camera companies, (not third party lens manufactures) have very exacting testing procedures that effectively eliminate anything that is not right.
I suggest, if you really think it's the camera, to call Nikon at 1-800-645-6687 and ask for customer service. You only have a 30 day warranty.
But my feeling is that you need to make a few tweak's with your new D850 and all will be well.
It could be something as simple as not having a fast enough shutter speed or not holding the camera correctly or punching at the shutter release instead of a nice downward pressure.

BebuLamar

I found that even the same model of cameras there are slight differences in ISO rating. That is using the same settings on all cameras may result in slight differences in brightness. I am not sure whether it's the differences in sensors or calibration.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Wow! Only 15 million cameras sold per year worldwide. And that includes small point-n-shoots and medium and large formats. No wonder cameras cost so much.

JBRIII

Based on the cameras sold for astronomy, sensors vary like anything else. For some cameras you can get different grades of the same sensors, fewer hot pixels, etc. There are simple tests you could do, like shooting with a lens cover for specific time periods. But without something to compare to, i.e., duplicate cameras, or test equipment like some magazines use, I don't see how you would determine anything unless the sensor was really bad.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

No two sensors are identical. They may come from different flats or different locations in the same flat, making them unique.

Also, electronics may vary as can the temperature at which the pix were shot as well as ISO, lighting conditions, etc., all of which can impact noise.

bwa

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

Amen to expectations for anything over 400.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I shoot at 6400-12,800 all the time without objectionable noise, and my 5D4 is only about 1/3 stop better at high ISO (if you believe Photons to Photos data).

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

Personally I don’t see how a sensor can be tested against another of the same kind. Like testing snowflakes. All different but all still snow. I also have a dozen Nikkor lenses and cannot say any of them are “bad copies.” Have never had a need to return any lens or camera in 15 years of digital shooting. Same goes with the third party lenses I have. IMO photography gear is made so well no matter who the manufacturer is that most gear is returned for other reasons and not manufacturer defects.

cjvaccaro Loc: mahopac ny

Thank you all for your responses. I’m not too proud to say that user error may be part of the problem. I try to post a couple of photos in the next day or too.