Usable ISO for 50D

[1st-Insp]

I'm considering buying a 50D to be used with an 85 1.8, 24-70L and 135L. I shoot church events and ballet under (dim)theaterlights. If I shoot at 1600 or even 3200 ISO, can the 50D produce good 8x10 pictures.

[lculpin]

You're not going to get anything like 5DMKII performance at high ISOs, but 1600 is definitely usable. I've used it for concerts and the occasional wedding and (assuming you have some noise reduction software) the images are totally usable. Not as sure about 3200 though.

[Daniel Browning]

If I shoot at 1600 or even 3200 ISO, can the 50D produce good 8x10 pictures.


It depends on many factors:

Color temperature of the lights. (Daylight balanced, medium-quality fluorescents, high-end tungstens, low-end tungstens, etc.)
Raw conversion, post processing, noise reduction, etc. (A good conversion with 1 stop underexposure looks better than a bad conversion.)
Personal taste about noise and post processing.
Subject, background, composition, etc. Bright subjects with bright clothes and bright backgrounds may look better than high contrast or moody scenes.



Generally, ISO 1600 on the 50D looks great.

[Chuck Lee]

I'm considering buying a 50D to be used with an 85 1.8, 24-70L and 135L. I shoot church events and ballet under (dim)theaterlights. If I shoot at 1600 or even 3200 ISO, can the 50D produce good 8x10 pictures.



For the same price you could buy a used or refurbished 5D and get very usable 3200, unless it's the crop factor your're after. Oh, not to mention all the other new and niftybells and whistles that come on the 50D.


I have a 40D as well as 5D and I do not like going higher than 1600. From what I understand the 50D at 3200 isn't any better.

[Ragingblues]

As others have mentioned, ISO 1600 is very usable on the 50D. It all depends on the specific conditions as to whether 3200 is usable for your intentions. Below are two shots of our cat, so you canjudge for yourself how the 50Dperformed in this low lighting situation. I used the Canon 18-200 IS lens, FYI.



<div class="detailText" id="detailCaption"]Canon EOS 50D - 1/25 sec at f / 5.6 - ISO 1600 - 90 mmhttp://www.kennydrew.com/2009-3rd_quarter/August_part_4/content/bin/images/large/IMG_7311.jpg</div>



<div class="detailText" id="detailCaption"]Canon EOS 50D - 1/50 sec at f / 5.6 - ISO 3200 - 110 mmhttp://www.kennydrew.com/2009-3rd_quarter/August_part_4/content/bin/images/large/IMG_7316.jpg</div>





Results may vary in different situations, of course, but I'm very happy with the 50D for all types of photography.


Ken

[Daniel Browning]

Below are two shots of our cat, so you canjudge for yourself how the 50Dperformed in this low lighting situation


FWIW, those samples are good for evaluating noise in a 4x6 or wallet-size print, but the OP is talking about 8x10. You could resize to 8x10 @ 150 ppi and then post a 100% crop to see what it would look like at 8x10.

[Oren]

Here's another 50D/ISO 3200 picture:


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3nu5cxOgw5k/SjIoh4nwXhI/AAAAAAAAARc/8-faRZCVzao/s800/DPP_0048.jpg


If you don't see the image or want to see a larger version:


http://picasaweb.google.com/orenz16/StudentDay2009TAU#slideshow/5346380270242127378 ("http://picasaweb.google.com/orenz16/StudentDay2009TAU#slideshow/5346380270242127378)


As to how will it turn out at 8x10... I have no idea but if you wanna print it I can send you the original size picture.

[Ragingblues]

Below are two shots of our cat, so you canjudge for yourself how the 50Dperformed in this low lighting situation


FWIW, those samples are good for evaluating noise in a 4x6 or wallet-size print, but the OP is talking about 8x10. You could resize to 8x10 @ 150 ppi and then post a 100% crop to see what it would look like at 8x10.


I'm at work right now and don't have access to the software or original image files to resize anything. I simply saw someone asking a question about 50D performance and offered a couple of samples to help out. I believe samples go alot farther to help someone than all the cheers and boos people offer up to support their own purchase decisions. Sometimes people don't have samples handy or don't want to take the time to put some together... which is fine. I just happened to have them on my own website and thought I would help.


I have no intention of posting new images at a different size because I don't sell cameras and am not trying to make or break a point here. My evenings are spent with my family, not working on photos for other people. If the OP finds these helpful in some way, I think they have served their purpose. If not, that's fine too.


Ken

[Sean Setters]

I have no intention of posting new images at a different size because I don't sell cameras and am not trying to make or break a point here. My evenings are spent with my family, not working on photos for other people. If the OP finds these helpful in some way, I think they have served their purpose. If not, that's fine too.


Ken



Wow.

[mike_d]

Wow! Who sh*t in your oatmeal?

[lculpin]

Mmmmm.... oatmeal :P

[Daniel Browning]

If the OP finds these helpful in some way, I think they have served their purpose. If not, that's fine too.


Thanks for the response, Ken. I understand you have limited time available, and I did not mean to discourage you from contributing, just to offer the OP some information about how to interpret the images offered.


Kind regards,

[Chuck Lee]

Thanks for the response, Ken. I understand you have limited time available, and I did not mean to discourage you from contributing, just to offer the OP some information about how to interpret the images offered.


Kind regards



Graceful Daniel, very graceful. That's why youdeserve the respect ofeveryone on the forum.


I agree with Sean and Iculpin..........Wow!!.........................tha t's some yucky oatmeal!!....[:D]

[peety3]

I have no intention of posting new images at a different size because I don't sell cameras and am not trying to make or break a point here. My evenings are spent with my family, not working on photos for other people. If the OP finds these helpful in some way, I think they have served their purpose. If not, that's fine too.





Well said.

[1st-Insp]

Thanks for all (most) of the responses yesterday. However I think we can do without all the negative comments that can make a site un professional and un-family like.


Since I also do some local sports, the crop factor on the 50D helps. Also the cost factor. To buy a 50D for approx $1100 plus get a free Pixma printer (Canon rebate) is a lot less than the new 7D or 5D2. I try to not buy used because if you buy junk you have no real recourse.


The pictures that you included looked good and a whole lot better than my current (starter) camera, the good Rebel XTi.


Again, thank you for the help.


Tom