New D800 photo - need advice

[dankearl]

I just picked this up.
Quick setup.
1.2 crop factor
32MB file
iso5000
500mm
f5.6
1/250 (very low light)

Raw converted to jpeg, no PP
How does this look to you, it looks noisy to me, but I never shoot at this high iso.

DSC_0013nx.jpg

[Dan Brown]

Looks pretty good to me! But what do I know about iso5000! Does the D800 allow for different crop factors?

[dankearl]

Dan, yes, different crop factors, one of the reasons I got it, although I can return it if I don't like it.
You can shoot full frame FX or 1.2 crop or 1.5 DX.
I will most likely use the 1.2 crop most of the time I think, the files don't seem too big, 32-40MB Raw.
I want low light capability more than anything else.
I will shoot more tomorrow and compare with my D7000.
i wanted opinions, thanks for your reply.

[Dan Brown]

Thanks, Dan. I await your test results. I too would like the low noise, hi iso and crop!

[arash_hazeghi]

it looks great and can also be made better. what are the noise reduction settings you are using in NX2?
congrats on the new camera, it has the best low light capability of all digital cameras currently on the market.

[jack williamson]

Dan, congratulations. This looks good for no processing. I am really looking forward to some full resolution images from your new toy. I really want a D800 but low noise, high iso is critical for me as I shoot a lot in churches with no flash.

Jack

[dankearl]

Arash, I use no settings, I never really shoot over iso400 with my D7000 as I don't really do a good job with
noise reduction. I only use it to soften the BG. I mask and then use it to where it looks good to me.
Not very scientific!
I didn't do anything at all to the photo above, just put the iso at 5000 on the new camera and snapped a photo in my yard.
The BG looks pretty noisy to me, but it was getting dark out.
I will take a lot of photos today with it and maybe post another one.
I am hoping that the D800 can shoot at least to iso1250 or so, that would be enough for me.
It is interesting, the DX crop mode is more like 2.0 than 1.5, much bigger crop than my D7000.
I took some full frame indoor shots and they looked pretty good at high iso (6400), I thought.

[arash_hazeghi]

Arash, I use no settings, I never really shoot over iso400 with my D7000 as I don't really do a good job with
noise reduction. I only use it to soften the BG. I mask and then use it to where it looks good to me.
Not very scientific!
I didn't do anything at all to the photo above, just put the iso at 5000 on the new camera and snapped a photo in my yard.
The BG looks pretty noisy to me, but it was getting dark out.
I will take a lot of photos today with it and maybe post another one.
I am hoping that the D800 can shoot at least to iso1250 or so, that would be enough for me.
It is interesting, the DX crop mode is more like 2.0 than 1.5, much bigger crop than my D7000.
I took some full frame indoor shots and they looked pretty good at high iso (6400), I thought.

It should handle all the way up to 6400 with no issues for bird photography. You need to improve your image processing flow as ALL cameras need noise reduction to deliver a clean noise-free output. Best is to use Nikon Capture NX2 noise reduction (amount 7-12, sharpness 6-10, use high quality mode). From the samples I have seen output is stunning.

[Dan Brown]

It should handle all the way up to 6400 with no issues for bird photography. You need to improve your image processing flow as ALL cameras need noise reduction to deliver a clean noise-free output. Best is to use Nikon Capture NX2 noise reduction (amount 7-12, sharpness 6-10, use high quality mode). From the samples I have seen output is stunning.

Arash, are you suggesting the nx nr settings for global use or selective use (bg only)?

[arash_hazeghi]

Arash, are you suggesting the nx nr settings for global use or selective use (bg only)?

Global at ISO5000