As a concert photographer, I’m constantly battling available light and using camera settings that never see the light of day for normal use. There’s been a lot of noise about the performance of the Nikon D3 at high ISO, so I thought I’d post some real-world examples from the camera with some 100% crops.
While many photographers may dismiss the hype surrounding advancements in high ISO performance with every latest camera, for concert photographers and other photojournalists working with low light under demanding conditions this is of keen interest.
So, how does the new Nikon D3 deliver in this regard? Let’s have a look at some real world images – resized samples followed by 100% crops.
ISO 2500 (Brian Viglione – The Dresden Dolls):
Camera: Nikon D3
Exposure: 1/250 Aperture: f/4
Focal Length: 86 mm
ISO Speed: 2500
100% Crop
100% Crop
The above is a straight conversion from RAW to a 100% quality JPG using Nikon Capture NX, which I use for all my Nikon RAW files.
At ISO 2500, used for the above shot, one may notice that the image contains largely luminance noise, without almost no false color information (chrominance noise). Another consistent characteristic of the noise pattern is that is very fine, creating a tight “granular” texture in the image.
With higher ISOs, we see these two chief characteristics continue through the range of in-spec sensitivities.
ISO 3200 (Amanda Palmer – The Dresden Dolls):
Camera: Nikon D3
Exposure: 1/250
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 116 mm
ISO Speed: 3200
100% Crop
At ISO 3200, noise is still very well controlled; luminance noise sees a slight increase, with more pronounced “grit,” but the characteristics are largely the same as what we saw a third-stop lower at ISO 2500.
ISO 6400 (Howard Jones – Killswitch Engage):
Camera: Nikon D3
Exposure: 1/250
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 6400
100% Crop
At ISO 6400, we see a slight increase in luminance noise and, still, a general lack of chrominance noise. Compared to lower sensitivities, we start to see more prominence in fine, light-valued pixels that kick up a little more grit in the images. This is most noticeable in the blue wash of the background and the deep shadows cast on the subject.
Given enough pushing in post, these aberrant pixels are the start of random “white” pixels that are most prominent at ISO 12800 and above.
ISO 6400 (Keller Williams)
Camera: Nikon D3
Exposure: 1/125
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 155 mm
ISO Speed: 6400
100% Crop
100% Crop
There’s a little motion blur in this shot, but I think there’s enough detail in the crop of Keller’s face to get an idea of the noise levels, especially regarding highlights and shadows.
In addition to the actual appearance of the noise with the D3, one other aspect worth mentioning is the very good color fidelity right up through ISO 6400. Gone is the washed out saturation above ISO 800 seen in previous Nikon DSLRs like the D2x.
Processing:
The above images were processed using Nikon Capture NX. The standard “Normal” setting for noise reduction was used in-camera and this degree of NR was maintained in processing the RAW files.
In addition, I changed the noise reduction from “Faster” to “Better Quality” in Capture NX. The main difference I see in this is that the program basically eliminates any chrominance noise in the files, leaving a fine pattern of luminance noise.
Sharpening was set to “Auto” in-camera and not adjusted in post. Exposure was also left as-shot. For the crops, no further processing was done.
End Notes:
Coming from the D2x, this performance from a Nikon DSLR is nothing short of amazing. While the D3 does have its limitations, as a concert photographer, I think the camera ushers in some amazing performance for high ISO work.
As I shoot more with the camera, I’ll be posting some samples and 100% crops from ISO 12800 as well. Initial use at this “HI-1″ setting indicate that the files are still quite good, but care needs to be taken in achieving the correct exposure.
For more thoughts on the Nikon D3’s high ISO performance, see also my initial impressions on the camera, ISO 800 through ISO 25600:
Impressions on the Nikon D3: High ISO Performance
In addition, for more images made with the D3, you can check out the following sets:
The Dresden Dolls @ the Pageant — 2007.01.06
Every Time I Die @ the Pageant — 2008.01.26
Motion City Soundtrack @ the Pageant — 2007.12.11
Keller Williams @ the Pageant — 2008.01.19
Mae @ the Pageant — 2007.12.11
18 Comments Add your own
1. Rod | February 6th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
it’s simply impressive. I have actually - because I have no more camera - a 350d : the noise at 800 ISO is worst than D3 @ 3200 !!! Even noise is visible at 100% crop, we can see a lot of details, especially in the shadows.
awesome. I want it. I’ll have it !
2. Todd | February 6th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Hey Rob, thanks for your comment. I’m coming from just about the same place. The Nikon D2x was easily three stops worse at high ISO (say, ISO 800 and above) compared to the D3.
I’ll try to see if there are any good examples for ISO 12800 as well — the quality is not as good as 3200 and 6400, but it’s still usable for some applications.
3. Brian Smith | February 6th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
You mentioned the light/white single pixels that turn up above iso 6400. Just to say that Photoshop Dust and Scratches filter might have been made for removing these. With optimized parameters it affects nothing else in the image.
4. Todd | February 6th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Brian, thanks for the suggestion about the Dust and Scratches filter. I’ve experimented with that processing with success and will have to continue to test different settings.
5. Digital Camera Review &ra&hellip | February 7th, 2008 at 12:25 am
[…] another world entirely. Concert photographer Todd Owyoung backs that general conclusion up with a close look at the camera’s performance. As a concert photographer, I’m constantly battling available light and using camera settings […]
6. Robert Daniels | February 7th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
YO mate! these are some cris (wicked) shots!
Name is Bigboi hailing from Bermuda where the Concert Photography is quite seasonal.
The D3 is a serious camera that i’ve been waiting patiently for. I am not a professional per say but love photography for years. Got first camera 10 years ago…Nikon F5 and pro lenses from the beginning 80-200/2.8 and 28-70/2.8 50mm 1.8 and a few other lenses all (AFS). Ive been waiting for a full frame camera since beginning of digital evolution..used D-70 and D-80 until now. here are a few of my shots.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/atlastphotography/2135472253/in/set-72157603545127373/
D3 in 3 months time….just in time for summer concert series!
7. Todd | February 7th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Hey Robert, thanks for the comment, glad to hear you enjoy the shots. As a fellow concert photog, let me tell you that the D3 is just about the perfect event camera. You’ll love it.
Checked out your work and you’ve got some great shots. I commented on a few that caught my eye.
Here in the States, we’re in a little shortage of concerts as well, but things should pick up in the next month or so.
8. Sebbux | February 7th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Nice to finally see some in-depth D3 examples in this particular field of photography! This looks amazing and is making me really wish I could afford to upgrade right now. Any idea how the noise compares to the recent top-shelf Canons?
9. Todd | February 7th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Hey, Daniel.
Thanks for checking out this write-up. So far, I’m loving the D3. There are a few quirks that have come up, but up to IOS 6400 the camera is golden. 12800 is usable, but it depends on the lighting and exposure.
My brother has the 1Dmk3 and from what I’ve seen from his files, I’d say the D3 holds about a one-stop advantage or so. Compared to the Canon 5D, the D3’s advantage may be closer to 1.5-stops, and the 1Dsmk3 is really an entirely different sort of camera.
I’ll be keenly interested in seeing how the successor to the 5D performs, as I’d expect it to beat out everything from the current crop, including the D3. It seems that the 5Dmk2 may not be announced until Photokina later this year, so the D3 will be able to enjoy its reign for a little while longer.
10. Jon Janes | February 7th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Hey Todd,
This is a very informative article and I’ve certainly got my eye on a D3 in the future. For now, I’m finding the D300 to be excellent up to iso 3200 myself. My recent shots of Hayden (on my Flickr) were shot in a dim theatre at 3200 and have been printed as 12×18s with no evidence of noise. 100% crops are good to see, but real-world situations are equally, if not more, important, and after testing my D300 in that way, I’m over-joyed at my choice of camera (new gen. Nikon, not choosing D300 over D3). I think Nikon has really stepped up with this new generation of dSLR. Glad you’re enjoying your D3, perhaps I’ll see you if I get to Toronto in the summer.
11. Todd | February 8th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Hey Jon,
Glad you found this article informative, thanks for reading. From what I’ve seen, the D300 is very good up to ISO 3200, just as you’ve found.
Also, as you mentioned, observing noise on screen is very different than what may appear in the final prints. I’ve made 12″x18″ prints from the Nikon D2x at ISO 1600 that don’t have any objectionable or visible noise, and that camera is a beast when it comes to high ISO performance.
I agree, the new generation of Nikon DSLRs are really quite competitive. Thanks for adding to the dialogue!
12. Solange Moreira Yeoell | February 11th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Hi, Thanks Todd for all the information you provide.
I can tell you my poor canon 20D makes me sick looking at all this.
I have been waiting for the replacement of the 5D and it is annoying me now. I am certain to get fed up, buy a 5D and in no time they bring a new one. This always happens to me.
We all know the camera is not everything but with a camera like that I am certain it will bring the best of your work, which I appreciatte a lot.
you took amazing pictures on the MM gig although you said the lighting was bad. I couldn’t comment on flickr though.
Thanks for all the feedback.
xx
13. Todd | February 11th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Hey Solange!
Glad to share the info. I enduring some long years with the D2x shooting concerts, so when that 5Dmk2 comes, you’ll love it even more, I promise.
I think that it will most likely be at the end of the year near Photokina in Germany when the camera will be announced. I know some people thought it would be PMA in Las Vegas, but I think Canon will have us waiting a little longer. It’s going to be an amazing camera, though.
A good tool is never wasted in capable hands, and at best it can make some things a lot easier.
I had the wrong Flickr permissions, but now you can comment on the MM shots. Sorry about that!
14. Tim Christie | February 13th, 2008 at 3:38 am
Thats a brilliant real world example that I can relate to. Its great to see someone out using the D3 in the band photography arena. Great performance and it looks like it is living up to the hype.
I currently shoot with a d200 and the D3 is next on my wishlist. The D3’s noise at 6400 is way less than the d200 at 800. Brilliant!
Thanks for the info. I can wait to order mine!!!
15. Todd | February 13th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Hey Tim,
I think you’ll love the D3 if you’re coming from the D200, which is even slightly better for high ISO than the D2x I was using.
I think the D3 does, incredibly, live up to the hype, and is amazing to use in low light.
I should note that the above images are really quite clean in large part due to the accurate exposure. Underexposure at ISO 6400 does create less impressive files, though even they are quite good with the right processing.
Glad to share the info, enjoy your cam when you get it!
16. rachel | March 6th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Looking at my files at 100% makes me weep. One day, one day…
17. Todd | March 6th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
For me, I think technical details like noise are among the least important aspects of an image.
Still, I couldn’t help but do this, since my last camera offered performance that could never compare to the D3.
For better or for worse, digital makes it far too easy to take a critical eye to these things.
18. Corinne Tan | May 29th, 2008 at 2:46 am
I shoot with a D70..
Just wondering if its the body or lens that makes the difference between the clarity of these pictures and mine?
speak up
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed
You can use these tags:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>