What is the best DSLR for low light photography?
I recently bought a Canon 60D. One of the features mentioned with this model was that it had an improved sensor that allowed use of higher ISO settings -more sensitivity - with low levels of noise.
Lens are basically rated by the low end of the f/stop. As I understand it a f/1.4 by Nikon basically lets in the same amount of light as a f/1.4 made by Canon. The lens makers tend to stay pretty even in terms of what's available. I'd be curious to hear what others say. I think Canon and Nikon are closely matched and other camera manufacturers are matched close as well - no matter what the parameter is.
“Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, masters worry about light, I just make pictures… ” ~ Vernon Trent
The reason is, the fewer "photosites" per square inch (or mm) the larger they can be and the better they can capture light.
Matthew
Matthew L Kees
MLK Studios Photography School
www.MLKstudios.com
[email protected]
"Every artist, was once an amateur"
Stacy Kaufman wrote: I've been told it's Canon, but not so much because of the camera bodies. It's Canon's lenses that they have that make this statement true.
That previous statement was told to me from a guy in camera store.
He's a goof, or thinks you are.
A large maximum aperture is helpful in low light situations, but Nikon, Canon, and most of the other manufacturers all offer lenses with similar specs.I'm shooting Canon because six or seven years ago Canon clearly had a high ISO advantage. In the last several years I think Nikon has clearly caught up and even surpassed Canon when it comes to high ISO quality. At least with their 35mm format DSLRs. Even so the difference is so slight that it's not enough for me to worry about switching, and the majority of my photography is done at ISO 800+.
Generalizations about brand names are useless in the real world. You need to compare specific camera models, and the comparison should reflect your shooting situations. The sensor is a big part of it, but your processing workflow, including choice of software, is also important in determining what sort of quality you will get from high ISO.
It's my opinion that almost any current Canon or Nikon DSLR is amazing at high ISOs, but that's because I used to have to shoot with film, and high ISO film sucks.
Matthew L Kees
MLK Studios Photography School
www.MLKstudios.com
[email protected]
"Every artist, was once an amateur"
MLKstudios wrote: HP you don't miss the grain of "pushed" 400?
I love (<-sarcasm) the nostalgia people express for film grain these days. I'm not saying it was always ugly, but there's a reason I hauled a 4x5 camera around, and mainly it was to eliminate grain in large prints.
You know right away you are looking at film images from long ago.
I don't see any reason to go back to it, but it does have a "look".
Matthew L Kees
MLK Studios Photography School
www.MLKstudios.com
[email protected]
"Every artist, was once an amateur"
MLKstudios wrote: Just got the new "expanded" edition of Robert Frank's The Americans.
I'm keeping my eyes out for one of the old editions of that book. They are apparently worth tens of thousands of dollars!
Check your local library.
Matthew L Kees
MLK Studios Photography School
www.MLKstudios.com
[email protected]
"Every artist, was once an amateur"
He's a goof, or thinks you are. A large maximum aperture is helpful in low light situations, but Nikon, Canon, and most of the other manufacturers all offer lenses with similar specs.
For consumer price DSLR cameras the main low light difference is not image quality but auto focus performance. In very weak light a camera may make the lens "hunt", taking extra time to find the correct focus. This is especially true when using "contrast detect" AF in the LCD LiveView mode. Get away from the normal lenses and this may also become an issue. Stick with using the viewfinder instead of LiveView and you will usually be Ok. If very low light is really a big issue for you start studying the online camera reviews. Or just find a different salesman.Kelly Cook
Matthew L Kees
MLK Studios Photography School
www.MLKstudios.com
[email protected]
"Every artist, was once an amateur"
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