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robgo2 · 07-30-2012, 04:54 PM

I have just upgraded from a K-7 to a K-5. I generally prefer to shoot in AV mode with auto-ISO at the slow progression. With the K-7, I set the upper ISO limit at 1600, because of the noise incurred at higher levels. I know that the K-5 is a much better high ISO performer, but how much higher can I let the ISO rise before getting into nasty noise levels? I'm sure that many other users have already considered this issue, so I am hoping to gain from their experience. BTW, I always shoot in raw.

Thanks,
Rob

twitch · 07-30-2012, 04:59 PM

I set 80-6400, although it gets pretty noisy beyond 2500, but I hate motion blur more than noise.

JinDesu · 07-30-2012, 05:01 PM

Most people have said in their reviews that ISO 6400 is good, and anything above is a bit destructive.

I personally don't mind ISO 6400 on my k-x, and that is 1 step below the k-5, so... YMMV

**Ex Finn.** · 07-30-2012, 05:04 PM

80-10 000, I use Topaz de-noise when needed.

Docrwm · 07-30-2012, 05:20 PM

Up to ISO 3200 most of the time but occassionally 6400 with Topaz de-noise.

**jatrax** · 07-30-2012, 05:26 PM

Completely depends on your tolerance for noise (or the end user of the photo's tolerance for noise) For snapshots or casual shooting I run it up to 1600. For work I never go above 800 and usually prefer to stay below 400.

vonBaloney · 07-30-2012, 05:29 PM

If you are a RAW shooter and have good noise reduction software (Topaz, Noise Ninja, even Lightroom) there is a good argument to be made never to go over 1600 since anything beyond that is just a software boost in the camera. So you can have more control over the subsequent exposure boosting and noise reducing process in post with LR or whatever. The drawback is that you sometimes have to settle for dark images on the LCD while shooting.

robgo2 · 07-30-2012, 06:49 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

If you are a RAW shooter and have good noise reduction software (Topaz, Noise Ninja, even Lightroom) there is a good argument to be made never to go over 1600 since anything beyond that is just a software boost in the camera. So you can have more control over the subsequent exposure boosting and noise reducing process in post with LR or whatever. The drawback is that you sometimes have to settle for dark images on the LCD while shooting.

Another drawback may be a shutter speed that is too slow for hand held shooting.

Rob

vonBaloney · 07-30-2012, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by robgo2

Another drawback may be a shutter speed that is too slow for hand held shooting.

Well no, what I was getting at is that you shoot AS-IF the ISO was at 3200 or 6400 but keep it at 1600 and just adjust the EV. So you get dark images because you are still using the fast shutter, but then you pump them up later. In other words, beyond ISO 1600, that's all the camera is doing -- using software trickery to pump up the exposure. But you can do it yourself with possibly better tools later...

mickey · 07-30-2012, 08:17 PM

For more demanding situations, I usually set 80-3200.
Up to 6400 to avoid any blur with my slowest lenses.

uptheriver · 07-30-2012, 08:25 PM

400-1600 here. Use a 300mm a lot.
It is a personal preference as previously mentioned.
A suggestion. When shooting something non critical experiment with the high ISO settings - you will be surprised and perhaps see the benefits of having the hi limit "way up there".

NKK · 07-30-2012, 09:26 PM

80-6400 but adjust the limits depending on situation - as mentioned by others, i also prefer noise over motion blur

reeftool · 07-31-2012, 07:42 AM

I have had acceptable results at 12800. The noise cleaned up nicely in Lightroom.

**Lowell Goudge** · 07-31-2012, 08:10 AM

I use an upper limit of 6400 for wild life.

it seems to work for me, and I can get good shots in most situations with minimal noise. (note I shoot JPEG)

While the noise is present, it is better to have some noise as opposed to blurred images with widl life. Note when shooting wild life i am generally with a 400mm lens set to about F8-9, and 1/500 shutter. I shoot in TAV mode to keep concious of shutter speed and aperture,. letting Auto ISO set exposure.

it works for me

thoughton · 07-31-2012, 08:22 AM

When I first got the camera I did all the usual comparison testing, and settled on an upper limit of 2000. Then Lightroom 3 came out with quick and easy noise reduction, now my maximum is 6,400 in normal circumstances. I will up that to 12,800 if it's particularly dark, e.g. in a bar.

07-30-2012, 04:54 PM	#1
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	K-5 auto-ISO: What range? I have just upgraded from a K-7 to a K-5. I generally prefer to shoot in AV mode with auto-ISO at the slow progression. With the K-7, I set the upper ISO limit at 1600, because of the noise incurred at higher levels. I know that the K-5 is a much better high ISO performer, but how much higher can I let the ISO rise before getting into nasty noise levels? I'm sure that many other users have already considered this issue, so I am hoping to gain from their experience. BTW, I always shoot in raw. Thanks, Rob

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07-30-2012, 04:59 PM	#2
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I set 80-6400, although it gets pretty noisy beyond 2500, but I hate motion blur more than noise.

07-30-2012, 05:01 PM	#3
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Most people have said in their reviews that ISO 6400 is good, and anything above is a bit destructive. I personally don't mind ISO 6400 on my k-x, and that is 1 step below the k-5, so... YMMV

07-30-2012, 05:04 PM	#4
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	80-10 000, I use Topaz de-noise when needed.

07-30-2012, 05:20 PM	#5
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Up to ISO 3200 most of the time but occassionally 6400 with Topaz de-noise.

07-30-2012, 05:26 PM	#6
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Completely depends on your tolerance for noise (or the end user of the photo's tolerance for noise) For snapshots or casual shooting I run it up to 1600. For work I never go above 800 and usually prefer to stay below 400.

07-30-2012, 05:29 PM	#7
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	If you are a RAW shooter and have good noise reduction software (Topaz, Noise Ninja, even Lightroom) there is a good argument to be made never to go over 1600 since anything beyond that is just a software boost in the camera. So you can have more control over the subsequent exposure boosting and noise reducing process in post with LR or whatever. The drawback is that you sometimes have to settle for dark images on the LCD while shooting.

07-30-2012, 06:49 PM	#8
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney If you are a RAW shooter and have good noise reduction software (Topaz, Noise Ninja, even Lightroom) there is a good argument to be made never to go over 1600 since anything beyond that is just a software boost in the camera. So you can have more control over the subsequent exposure boosting and noise reducing process in post with LR or whatever. The drawback is that you sometimes have to settle for dark images on the LCD while shooting. Another drawback may be a shutter speed that is too slow for hand held shooting. Rob

07-30-2012, 08:10 PM	#9
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by robgo2 Another drawback may be a shutter speed that is too slow for hand held shooting. Well no, what I was getting at is that you shoot AS-IF the ISO was at 3200 or 6400 but keep it at 1600 and just adjust the EV. So you get dark images because you are still using the fast shutter, but then you pump them up later. In other words, beyond ISO 1600, that's all the camera is doing -- using software trickery to pump up the exposure. But you can do it yourself with possibly better tools later...

07-30-2012, 08:17 PM	#10
mickey Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	For more demanding situations, I usually set 80-3200. Up to 6400 to avoid any blur with my slowest lenses.

07-30-2012, 08:25 PM	#11
uptheriver Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 50	400-1600 here. Use a 300mm a lot. It is a personal preference as previously mentioned. A suggestion. When shooting something non critical experiment with the high ISO settings - you will be surprised and perhaps see the benefits of having the hi limit "way up there".

07-30-2012, 09:26 PM	#12
NKK Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Malmö, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 583	80-6400 but adjust the limits depending on situation - as mentioned by others, i also prefer noise over motion blur

07-31-2012, 07:42 AM	#13
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	I have had acceptable results at 12800. The noise cleaned up nicely in Lightroom.

07-31-2012, 08:10 AM	#14
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	I use an upper limit of 6400 for wild life. it seems to work for me, and I can get good shots in most situations with minimal noise. (note I shoot JPEG) While the noise is present, it is better to have some noise as opposed to blurred images with widl life. Note when shooting wild life i am generally with a 400mm lens set to about F8-9, and 1/500 shutter. I shoot in TAV mode to keep concious of shutter speed and aperture,. letting Auto ISO set exposure. it works for me

07-31-2012, 08:22 AM	#15
thoughton Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Saffron Walden, Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 362	When I first got the camera I did all the usual comparison testing, and settled on an upper limit of 2000. Then Lightroom 3 came out with quick and easy noise reduction, now my maximum is 6,400 in normal circumstances. I will up that to 12,800 if it's particularly dark, e.g. in a bar.

K-5 auto-ISO: What range?

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