Quote Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
Using a higher iso increases photon noise, but so does cropping.

Correct, a 1.6 crop camera has the same noise as a full-frame if the DOF is the same. And if the sesor has the same technology, the 7D and 5D II have almost the same noise at the same DOF.


Quote Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
The only problem with stoping down, is that in low light you may already be at a high ISO to get a fast shutter enough shutter speed at F1.4. Loosing those few stops might be the difference in a pic with camera shake and one good one without.

Yes, you will need a f/2.8 exposure but the noise will be the same as f/1.4 on a 1.6 crop camera. All you do is raise the ISO and you have the same result.


Take a look at Bryans noise crops, the 7D is about 1 1/3rd stopps noisier than the 5d II


John.