Nikon D80 - highest usable ISO?

Mark.A

Mark.A

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What's the highest ISO that you find usable (as in not too much noise) on the D80? Does it make a difference if you're in low light or not? :shrug:
 
Back in my D80 days (when I were a lad...), I never ventured above 800 - just too noisy...
 
I often use 1600 to get pictures I'd otherwise miss.

But yes, they're grainy.
 
800-1600 will still yield good results...but you do have to absolutely nail the exposure. Underexposed...and the shot will be very noisy. I find low light shots to be the most difficult to get right...but others may have more talent. :o)
 
Here's a couple of test shots I took at ISO 1600. I don't think they're too bad?



 
Best bet is to take some high ISO photos on your D80 and see how high YOU are comfortable going. What you might find too noisy could be fine to someone else - even 1600 ISO is better (IMO) than the results from film pushed that far. Noise that seems to leap out at you at 100% on screen can be far less obtrusive when printed and viewed from a normal distance.
 
I'll have to try some in low light indoors or something and see how it looks. :thumbs:
 
Here's a few taken indoors with just available light (which was very low).









All taken at ISO 1600. I think this ISO is usable if it's necessary to get a sharp shot.
 
The first two of that last set are in colour, just not much colour in them.

I'll have a go at getting something with more colour in low light tomorrow. ;)
 
Mark.A said:
What's the highest ISO that you find usable (as in not too much noise) on the D80? Does it make a difference if you're in low light or not? :shrug:
Click to expand...
I have this camera; somedays I just wanna bash it to pieces. And some days I love it.
Very bad for noise. I wouldn't go above 800. Even at this setting it's rubbish.
 
The one's I've taken so far don't look rubbish to me? :shrug:
 
Don't usually go above 800. It's ok at 1600 but I try to use a tripod and really apply myself to get proper exposure.
 
No problem with using iso3200, have done for some wedding photos.
 
I hesitate to use any more than ISO 1000; but, if I've got auto-ISO on, I'll let it go to 1600; after all, I'd rather get a sharp shot with grain than a blurred shot without. I delete 99% of my blurred shots in 'first-pass'; I hate to think how many great shots I've missed because of my ISO-snobbery...
 
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