7D ISO tests

[Don Saunders]

I performed extensive ISO tests with my 7D. I changed the ISO and shutter speeds only. All other variables were constant. All images were shot in full RAW and processed in ACR with NO sharpening, contrast, noise reduction, saturation, vibrance, or brightness applied. I will post images shot at the following ISOs: 400, 800, 1600, and even 3200. I will post full frame shots as well as cropped shots. The lens was the Canon 400mm f/5.6 L at f/8. The images at 3200 were handheld. All other images were shot from a tripod. AF was set for the eye, so some breast feathers will be out of focus because of the narrow depth of field. There are 2-3 images per ISO.

It was raining during the shoot. You can see the streaking drops. I was inside shooting through a window (mostly clean). :)

This is the full frame at ISO 400.

[Don Saunders]

Cropped image at 400.

[Don Saunders]

Full frame at ISO 800.

[Don Saunders]

Cropped at 800.

[Don Saunders]

Full frame at ISO 1600!

[Don Saunders]

Cropped at 1600.

[Don Saunders]

Full frame at ISO 3200!!!

[Don Saunders]

Head crop at 3200!

[Don Saunders]

Background crop at 3200!

[Don Saunders]

I am amazed at the lack of noise at very high ISOs. I would had never even considered using these ISOs on other cameras.

I am currently studying the manual and AF system. I will be posting my AF results soon. As you know, AF results is very user-dependent and there are many variables that cannot be controlled. Canon has even published an 8-page white paper to explain the new system and encourage users to optimize the AF system.

[arash_hazeghi]

Don, hate to say but these are all OOF, I would worry about noise after getting a sharp shot.

[Doug Brown]

BG noise should be unaffected by whether or not the subject is in focus.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Was in-camera NR enabled? The noise really does not look too bad. Thanks for posting.

[Don Saunders]

Arash,
Please read the beginning of this post. All images were shot through a window, which adds some softness to the images.

Axel,
In-camera NR was on standard.

[Desmond Chan]

I am amazed at the lack of noise at very high ISOs.

Are you sure that's lack of noise? I think it's not bad as far as noise is concerned but is far from "lack of noise". I think I see color noise from ISO 800, very noticeable at 1600 and 3200. I would apply noise reduction to those shots. Nothing major but it's there.

I would had never even considered using these ISOs on other cameras.

I would and have been dong it. There're always noise reduction programs :)

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Head crop at 3200!

Just to see what come out of this one, I applyed some NR to the BG and the result is not so bad IMO.
Nice test on the 7D, sounds like a good camera to upgrade.

[Ed Cordes]

This has been my experience as well. At 100% some noise is certainly visible ISO 800 and above. However, it seems to clean up well.