Max iso

[Larry14K]

has anyone ever tried to print a image that was taken at ISO 6400 on a entry level dslr? How did it turn out!?

 

[astroNikon]

You may want to specific which entry level DSLR as they can vary greatly if you look at just the ISO specs. Such as a d3100 vs a d3300.

 

[Larry14K]

Sorry I'm using a canon t3

 

[KenC]

Never tried to print one, but I've taken a few shots at 6400 with my T2i (same sensor I believe) and they look pretty rough. In my experience the highest "normal" ISO (without going into some special low-light mode) on any digital camera is rough, but two steps down, or 1600 on our cameras is very usable. You might need a little noise reduction depending on the type of photo and the intended display. When had holding I usually try to use no higher than 800, although if I really need 1600 I use it. Above that it gets a little dicey, but how often do you really need more than 1600?

 

[Larry14K]

Well I tried to do high key photography with one cheap speed light (I was trying to improvise lol) but needless to say, I had to seriously crank up my ISO just to get the background over exposed

 

[robbins.photo]

A whole lot depends on the camera in question. I shoot at ISO 6400 on my D7100 on occasion, and with a bit of noise reduction I still find the results acceptable. My D7100 has pretty much the same sensor as both the D3200/D3300 and D5200/D5300.

20140927 814 by robbins.photo, on Flickr

That was shot at ISO 6400 with very little noise reduction applied. Granted you can see some noise here but it's not horrible by any means. So a lot really depends on the camera here - this is where having a camera with a high iso to noise ratio makes a big, big difference.

 

[CameraClicker]

I have no concern with shooting at ISO 6400 with a T2i. Sometimes there is noise, usually it's not too bad. Printing is more tolerant of noise than viewing on a monitor.

 

[JacaRanda]

I agree with CameraClicker. If you have something like a Costco near (or your own printer), just have a 4X6 printed and you will be able to tell and only spend less than 20 cents.
Noise on prints are less noticeable than on screen; particularly on matte finish paper. Give it a shot and you may be surprised.

Post an example if you can. Members here that print often may be able to tell you what to expect and give some pointers on how to mask the noise if it's too much.

 

[paigew]

It depends on the photo...I do print high ISO images.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KenC]

I agree with CameraClicker. If you have something like a Costco near (or your own printer), just have a 4X6 printed and you will be able to tell and only spend less than 20 cents.
Noise on prints are less noticeable than on screen; particularly on matte finish paper. Give it a shot and you may be surprised.

Post an example if you can. Members here that print often may be able to tell you what to expect and give some pointers on how to mask the noise if it's too much.

4x6 prints are a whole different thing. I agree you won't find noise in them, even at high ISO, but a page-size or larger print is a much tougher test, not to mention projecting the image on a screen. If all you're doing is 4x6 and/or displaying on a small screen, then by all means use the highest ISO setting and don't worry, but otherwise be careful.

 

[CameraClicker]

4x6 prints are a whole different thing. I agree you won't find noise in them, even at high ISO, but a page-size or larger print is a much tougher test, not to mention projecting the image on a screen. If all you're doing is 4x6 and/or displaying on a small screen, then by all means use the highest ISO setting and don't worry, but otherwise be careful.

What you want the photo for, and your expectations make a huge difference. After I got my 5D Mk III, I saw some forum that said ISO 160 was the native ISO of Canon cameras and ISO 100 would have more noise. Well, it's a fairly easy test. A dim light, a tripod, a target, ... So, I did a test set with the 5D and also with a Rebel T2i (550D) which is my favourite due to it's lighter weight. Results are here: CameraClicker: Digital Noise 5D Mk III

My Rebel has been around the world. Here are a couple from the 2010 World's Fair in Shanghai, inside the Canadian Pavilion. These were at ISO 6400, wide open for that lens and minimal shutter speed. ACR was used to convert from raw files. Noise reduction was left at the default 0 for luminance and 25 for colour.

and

Sometimes you need a really fast lens, big aperture and high ISO just to get enough shutter speed. There are times when a flash won't work, either due to distances involved, lack of permission, or like here, inside a bicycle powered movie theatre. So, get the shot and don't worry so much about noise. I took a 50 mm f/1.8 with me on the trip but most of the time I relied on my Sigma zoom lenses and the stabilizer in the 18-250.

If you really care about the noise, use DxO to process the raw files. It removes amazing amounts of noise. Adobe Camera Raw's noise reduction is pretty good too.

 

[cynicaster]

I'd say take a few examples, spend $1.50 each on some 8"x10" prints, and see if the results are confidence inspiring enough to go larger.

 

[ronlane]

I don't know what it would be like, but now I'm curious to see how my football photos shot at 12800 would look like on 8x10.