IS0 25,600

[Geoff]

So I was at PMA today, and was encouraged to go into the Nikon 'dark room' where there was an artist working on a canvas. The idea was primarily to test the D700/D3 in low light. It was VERY low light and I'd never bumped up my ISO so high. The artist was somewhat animated so I asked if I could take a shot of her..she willingly obliged & this was the result. I've done minimal post in this shot, just boosted contrast a little but NO noise reduction. I'm not sure what the light reflection on her right glass is, but the high ISO has dramatically exaggerated/enhanced it. Taken with the D700, 24-70 @ 31mm, ISO 25,600 (H2), at 1/30th of a second.

You can get an idea of just how dark it was by the size of her pupils (or she could have swallowed some type of trippy drug I guess):

[Reschsmooth]

Geoff, that is pretty impressive. So, why did I give the D700 and lens back to you??

[surenj]

You should have entered this to the Strobist headshot competition.

[sirhc55]

Freeeeeeeeeeeekyeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[chrisk]

nice. what aperture is that at ?

[leek]

That's pretty impressive Geoff... the reflection looks like light coming in thru a doorway... Her pupils are freakishly big...

[Murray Foote]

I think what makes it work (apart from the subject matter) is that the area of interest is all well lit.

The few shots I've tried at 25,600 didn't work nearly as well but had much more mid tone and shadow detail in the image. I think the key with 25,600 is to nail the exposure and also not to have to expect too much of the shadows.

Regards,
Murray

[Geoff]

nice. what aperture is that at ?

2.8

[chrisk]

wow.

[Onyx]

Geoff, I have a greater appreciation of your posted image now that I've gone and shot inside Nikon's low light shooting space at their PMA exhibit.

It is incredible that the AF unit on the D700/D3's can acquire focus so quickly in such dark conditions with no focus assist light. It is equally impressive that the correctly exposed image from the camera appear brighter than can be seen with the naked eye. It is absolutely mind blowing that these images appear to have such little sensor noise!

[Alex]

Stunning result!

[V-man]

The low light capabilities of the D-700 are amazing. And the D3 must be even better. Cant wait to see what the next generation Digital SLR can do.

[chrisk]

And the D3 must be even better.

its not. its pretty much identical in raw. in jpeg the d700 is actually nicer due to improved NR processing.

[aim54x]

I was very amazed how good the AF on the D3 is!! I paid this venue a visit and was very impressed by the ability of my lowly D300 in the low light...although it was blown away by the ability of the D3!!

Great shot there!

[mikecarlotto]

One word....Wow!