Highest acceptable ISO

Wasp · 03-28-2019, 01:29 PM

For the digital cameras I currently own:

Pentax K200D max 800
Pentax K-x max 3200
Samsung NX100 max 1600
Samsung NX1 max 6400

rawr · 03-28-2019, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by Wasp

For the digital cameras I currently own:

Pentax K200D max 800
Pentax K-x max 3200
Samsung NX100 max 1600
Samsung NX1 max 6400

Can also add:
Pentax K-5 max 51200
Pentax K-3 max 51200

Both are nonsense numbers.

**savoche** · 03-28-2019, 02:09 PM - **7 Likes**

Originally posted by Rondec

I don't usually shoot over 25K iso. The biggest issue isn't so much noise, but dynamic range. There's just a lot less detail and things sort of look washed out.

Yes, I'm more concerned about reduced dynamic range than increased noise.

For certain shots I don't worry too much about noise at all - it's a matter of getting a shot or getting nothing at all.

An example of such a shot with the K-1 @25K ISO - a shot that I'm perfectly happy with.

**pbancr** · 03-28-2019, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by savoche

Yes, I'm more concerned about reduced dynamic range than increased noise.

For certain shots I don't worry too much about noise at all - it's a matter of getting a shot or getting nothing at all.

An example of such a shot with the K-1 @25K ISO - a shot that I'm perfectly happy with.

Yep..I’d be darn pleased with that photo too! Nice one.

jtstgeorge · 03-28-2019, 07:53 PM

Thank for all the advice. I like to learn from others, especially those I trust (you chose PENTAX)

The reasons I asked were that: 1. I like wildlife photography wirh my new 150-450mm and I'm not as steady as I once was so I need to keep the Shutter speed up to 1/1000 if possible. and 2. I like night time landscapes as well. So far I've kept the ISO at 6400 for that with good results.

jeromebertrem · 03-29-2019, 12:55 AM

Originally posted by rawr

I guess Ricoh had some usage cases in mind when they built that capability into the camera. Maybe it can work with long exposures or multi-exposures?

Super-high ISO is also simply a feature race and spec sheet padding game played between camera makers. I think Canon started it off when it claimed ISO 204,800 capabilities in the EOS-1 DX in 2011, to fight against Nikon's high ISO D3 and D4 series of cameras, which also claimed ridiculous high ISO capabilities, and everyone has been doing the same ever since. Now even smartphones (eg Huawei P30 Pro) are claiming ISO 409 600.

Hey rawr,

Thanks for the insights!
It feels certainly as a feature race but nevertheless it is worth testing in order to completely understand the full capacity of the K1! Makes me want to seek the darkest of the darkest and test this thing out!

---------- Post added 03-29-19 at 08:56 AM ----------

Originally posted by savoche

Yes, I'm more concerned about reduced dynamic range than increased noise.

For certain shots I don't worry too much about noise at all - it's a matter of getting a shot or getting nothing at all.

An example of such a shot with the K-1 @25K ISO - a shot that I'm perfectly happy with.

Incredible! Nice shot!

Bengan · 03-29-2019, 01:21 AM

I have auto-ISO set to 800. When shooting in low light like night photography or concerts I have no problem setting the ISO manually to 6400 or sometimes even 12800

MrB1 · 03-29-2019, 01:49 AM

Originally posted by savoche

For certain shots I don't worry too much about noise at all - it's a matter of getting a shot or getting nothing at all.

An example of such a shot with the K-1 @25K ISO - a shot that I'm perfectly happy with.

It's not surprising that you're happy with it - not only an example of excellent high ISO performance but also an excellent image!

Philip

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03-28-2019, 01:29 PM	#16
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,660	For the digital cameras I currently own: Pentax K200D max 800 Pentax K-x max 3200 Samsung NX100 max 1600 Samsung NX1 max 6400

03-28-2019, 01:44 PM	#17
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Wasp For the digital cameras I currently own: Pentax K200D max 800 Pentax K-x max 3200 Samsung NX100 max 1600 Samsung NX1 max 6400 Can also add: Pentax K-5 max 51200 Pentax K-3 max 51200 Both are nonsense numbers.

03-28-2019, 02:09 PM - 7 Likes	#18
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by Rondec I don't usually shoot over 25K iso. The biggest issue isn't so much noise, but dynamic range. There's just a lot less detail and things sort of look washed out. Yes, I'm more concerned about reduced dynamic range than increased noise. For certain shots I don't worry too much about noise at all - it's a matter of getting a shot or getting nothing at all. An example of such a shot with the K-1 @25K ISO - a shot that I'm perfectly happy with.

03-28-2019, 02:19 PM	#19
pbancr Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southeast Connecticut Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,575	Originally posted by savoche Yes, I'm more concerned about reduced dynamic range than increased noise. For certain shots I don't worry too much about noise at all - it's a matter of getting a shot or getting nothing at all. An example of such a shot with the K-1 @25K ISO - a shot that I'm perfectly happy with. Yep..I’d be darn pleased with that photo too! Nice one.

03-28-2019, 07:53 PM	#20
jtstgeorge New Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: St George, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 24 Original Poster	Thank for all the advice. I like to learn from others, especially those I trust (you chose PENTAX) The reasons I asked were that: 1. I like wildlife photography wirh my new 150-450mm and I'm not as steady as I once was so I need to keep the Shutter speed up to 1/1000 if possible. and 2. I like night time landscapes as well. So far I've kept the ISO at 6400 for that with good results.

03-29-2019, 12:55 AM	#21
jeromebertrem Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Brussels Photos: Albums Posts: 55	Originally posted by rawr I guess Ricoh had some usage cases in mind when they built that capability into the camera. Maybe it can work with long exposures or multi-exposures? Super-high ISO is also simply a feature race and spec sheet padding game played between camera makers. I think Canon started it off when it claimed ISO 204,800 capabilities in the EOS-1 DX in 2011, to fight against Nikon's high ISO D3 and D4 series of cameras, which also claimed ridiculous high ISO capabilities, and everyone has been doing the same ever since. Now even smartphones (eg Huawei P30 Pro) are claiming ISO 409 600. Hey rawr, Thanks for the insights! It feels certainly as a feature race but nevertheless it is worth testing in order to completely understand the full capacity of the K1! Makes me want to seek the darkest of the darkest and test this thing out! ---------- Post added 03-29-19 at 08:56 AM ---------- Originally posted by savoche Yes, I'm more concerned about reduced dynamic range than increased noise. For certain shots I don't worry too much about noise at all - it's a matter of getting a shot or getting nothing at all. An example of such a shot with the K-1 @25K ISO - a shot that I'm perfectly happy with. Incredible! Nice shot!

03-29-2019, 01:21 AM	#22
Bengan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,756	I have auto-ISO set to 800. When shooting in low light like night photography or concerts I have no problem setting the ISO manually to 6400 or sometimes even 12800

03-29-2019, 01:49 AM	#23
MrB1 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 845	Originally posted by savoche For certain shots I don't worry too much about noise at all - it's a matter of getting a shot or getting nothing at all. An example of such a shot with the K-1 @25K ISO - a shot that I'm perfectly happy with. It's not surprising that you're happy with it - not only an example of excellent high ISO performance but also an excellent image! Philip