Is my camera holding me back?

[SabrinaO]

I want to venture more in natural light photography, but I don't think I could do this with my camera because I can't bump up my ISO. I have the d5000. :meh: I know there are cameras that are able to handle a high ISO without noise/grain at all! Anyone have any recomendations on a Nikon camera body that can handle a high ISO? I just want to be able to shoot any time, any place and not have to worry about the lighting restrictions.

 

[tirediron]

The D300s or D700 would be your choices for high IQ/high ISO bodies, BUT why????? If you're shooting portraits, you want to keep your ISO down. If you need to shoot a portrait at ISO 1600, it means to me that you need to improve your knowledge of lighting (which, as has been alluded to, is progressing). Remember that all light is natural, whether generated by sun, stars, moon, or strobe. A photon is a photon is a photon, and AFAIK, they haven't come up with a way to synthesize them yet.

Why would you rather increase your ISO than add light?

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Why would you rather increase your ISO than add light?

Cuz learning to use flash is hard.

 

[Overread36]

With only two lenses, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 and 35mm 1.8, I would also seriously look to expanding your lens range as well as your lighting long before considering changing camera bodies.

 

[KmH]

Why would you rather increase your ISO than add light?

Cuz learning to use flash is hard.

Doing ambient light only is harder to learn, more gear intensive, requires more assistants, and significantly dimimishes a photographers options regarding lighting styles, locations, and time of day they can shoot.

 

[kundalini]

........ I just want to be able to shoot any time, any place and not have to worry about the lighting restrictions.

We're all held to the same restrictions to some degree or another. Learning how to use available light, add additional lighting, modifying & sculpting light and most importantly......... seeing the light would be a far more useful skillset than another body.

AFAIK, the D5000 is quite capable. The photos you've posted lately are proof enough.

 

[bentcountershaft]

The D5000 is pretty decent in upper iso range from what I've seen, better than my Rebel and I'm comfortable with 1600 and even 3200 in the right circumstances with it. From what I've seen you seem to be progressing nicely with using your flash so I don't see any reason to retreat from the path you're on. If you're finding yourself in situations where you can't use a flash I would lean more towards some variety in the fast lens dept. From what I've seen of your work I would think you're just dying to get an 85 1.8.

 

[MTVision]

I don't think your camera is holding you back in any way! Get some new glass instead of a new body!

 

[Robin Usagani]

It doesnt show Sabrina. You could win the Rookie of the year if there was such a thing onTPF lol. My usual CC on your posts were mostly lens selection, but you know that already.

 

[Derrel]

I want to venture more in natural light photography, but I don't think I could do this with my camera because I can't bump up my ISO. I have the d5000. :meh: I know there are cameras that are able to handle a high ISO without noise/grain at all! Anyone have any recomendations on a Nikon camera body that can handle a high ISO? I just want to be able to shoot any time, any place and not have to worry about the lighting restrictions.

The Nikon D3s is currently the undisputed champion of High-ISO photography. The difference between it and the baby Nikons is quite substantial. It's definitely NOT a low-cost option, but it is the single best body on the market for High-ISO work, bar none, at this date in time.

The D700 and the *original* D3 share the same sensor; the D3s does significantly better at ridiculous ISO values. Still, the D5000 is handily beaten by even the D7000, or the D700, or the original D3. Not sure how much money you want to devote to state of the art equipment, or if the price of a D700 or even a D7000 is more than you want to spend. Neither the glass nor the lens is "more important than the other"...both play a huge part in making an image--a HUGE part.

 

[mrpink]

Agreed with above. Look for a good used 85mm 1.4 (Nikon or Sigma, I am a bit of a brand snob so my nod would be toward the Nikkor)

If you are determined to get a new body, bite the bullet and get a D700.





p!nK

 

[pixilstudio]

what do you mean by natural light photography. why not just get a tripod and slow down? are your subjects moving?

 

[MTVision]

The Nikon D3s is currently the undisputed champion of High-ISO photography. The difference between it and the baby Nikons is quite substantial. It's definitely NOT a low-cost option, but it is the single best body on the market for High-ISO work, bar none, at this date in time.

The D700 and the *original* D3 share the same sensor; the D3s does significantly better at ridiculous ISO values. Still, the D5000 is handily beaten by even the D7000, or the D700, or the original D3. Not sure how much money you want to devote to state of the art equipment, or if the price of a D700 or even a D7000 is more than you want to spend. Neither the glass nor the lens is "more important than the other"...both play a huge part in making an image--a HUGE part.

The d5100 should handle noise as well as the d7000 since they have the same sensor but...not much of an upgrade from the d5000.

 

[TheFantasticG]

You'd be surprised how much of difference it is. Going from the D90 to the D7000 was great... Just as it would be to go from the D5k to the D5100.... But then again, I shoot 95% macro

 

[MLeeK]

zYou can't boost ISO on any camera unless you know how to expose for it. You can boost the ISO on your camera if you expose for high ISO's.
NEVER NEVER NEVER underexpose an image in order to use a lower ISO. You will increase noise if you do that. When you boost exposure in post processing you create a bigger noise problem.
If you are using a high ISO you are better off to go to the NEXT HIGHER ISO and SLIGHTLY overexpose the image. I don't mean blow things out. but push the exposure up to the point that you would have an unacceptable blow out. Usually it's the point just before the skin blows one color. Turn the highlight warnings on. It will flash at you on the spot that is blowing out all of one color channel. Reduce in post processing and you will watch the noise improve. Post with the newest version of Lightroom or ACR will allow you to very effectively eliminate any additional noise problem you may have.
Practice with it! You'll discover all new possibilities with your camera. It's not going to handle like a full frame camera, but you will be able to use it all of the way throughout it's range.