ISO and Noise

[Leica_Lover]

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Regarding the SL3, at what ISO do you start seeing noise? Would it be safe to say it becomes noticeable at 6,400? Is it better to keep the max ISO at a stop under 6,400 such as 3,200?

[spydrxx]

 

it depends on whether you are pixel peeping or viewing a print at a normal distance. Can you be more specific?

[SrMi]

26 minutes ago, Leica_Lover said:

Regarding the SL3, at what ISO do you start seeing noise? Would it be safe to say it becomes noticeable at 6,400? Is it better to keep the max ISO at a stop under 6,400 such as 3,200?

It depends on the scene. You may see noise even at base ISO (as with any camera).

This is a public announcement: noise becomes visible because of low exposure, not high ISO.

Edited December 18, 2024 by SrMi

[Leica_Lover]

What is a good ISO to keep the maximum set at?

[SrMi]

Just now, Leica_Lover said:

What is a good ISO to keep the maximum set at?

I assume you mean the Auto-ISO setting. If you set it below the maximum possible ISO, your slowest shutter speed setting can become lower than specified in the Auto-ISO setting. If that is acceptable (tripod shooting of static subjects), ISO 6400 probably makes sense. With current NR technology (shooting raw), you want to know how low your exposure can go before the image becomes unusable.

[Leica_Lover]

So for example, if max ISO is 100,000 and I set it at max of 6,400 then the shutter speed will go slower than normally set?

[LocalHero1953]

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20 minutes ago, Leica_Lover said:

So for example, if max ISO is 100,000 and I set it at max of 6,400 then the shutter speed will go slower than normally set?

Here you are. Leica SL3 Instructions PDF, P140ff.

[Photoworks]

4 hours ago, Leica_Lover said:

So for example, if max ISO is 100,000 and I set it at max of 6,400 then the shutter speed will go slower than normally set?

just don't shoot anything black or dark and you be fine

[jaapv]

Well, not the SL3 but the SL2S but this is ISO 100.000 with  moderate AI processing. A bit grainy, but then - ISO 100.000...
Noise is not much of an issue any more.

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[LocalHero1953]

35 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Well, not the SL3 but the SL2S but this is ISO 100.000 with  moderate AI processing. A bit grainy, but then - ISO 100.000...
Noise is not much of an issue any more.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

Looks good on my phone screen, which is how most photos are viewed. So I’m told. 

[jaapv]

🤩

[SrMi]

7 hours ago, Leica_Lover said:

So for example, if max ISO is 100,000 and I set it at max of 6,400 then the shutter speed will go slower than normally set?

If you set max ISO to 6400 and reach that ISO, then the shutter speed will start going below shutter speed limit that you have set in Auto-ISO setting.

[Dr. G]

Can anyone speak to the difference between underexposing by 1/3-2/3 stop to keep the shutter speed up at a lower ISO and then bringing up the exposure in post vs using the correct shutter speed and raising ISO when taking the image?  Is the noise pretty much equal between the two in the final image?

Edited December 19, 2024 by Dr. G

[SrMi]

54 minutes ago, Dr. G said:

Can anyone speak to the difference between underexposing by 1/3-2/3 stop to keep the shutter speed up at a lower ISO and then bringing up the exposure in post vs using the correct shutter speed and raising ISO when taking the image?  Is the noise pretty much equal between the two in the final image?

The noise is determined by exposure (shutter speed, aperture, and scene light) not ISO. You will not notice a difference if you “underexpose” a bit by keeping the ISO lower than metered and bringing up the brightness (exposure slider) in the post. 

[jaapv]

Provided the sensor is ISO invariant. But you are right. The ISO setting is nothing more than digital amplification. 

[SrMi]

FWIW.

If coupled by automatic metering, increasing ISO will decrease exposure, which will increase noise. But the noise increased because of reduced exposure.

With exposure being constant, increasing ISO will actually decrease noise. However, that improvement in noise is very small in ISO invariant sensors (except for dual conversion gain).