7D High ISO Examples - No Noise Reduction

[snyderman]

Figured out enough with the 7D at the 2nd game to actually get some acceptable shots. Good example of 7D with no NR at all just for example. Might run them through Neat Image to see if they can be cleaned up and sharpened a tad, but I'm not disappointed at all with them as-is.

All shots 7D, 85mm f/1.8 (@ 2.0) 1/640 and ISO 2500. Good exposures in a pretty nicely lit gym:

1. Different BG tones show noise levels at ISO 2500

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a310/dsnyder160/DPP_1524TIF.jpg

2. Good example with a lot of dark space. Shot taken from about 6 feet from player:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a310/dsnyder160/DPP_1531TIF.jpg

3. Another example with lots of background visible to evaluate noise levels

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a310/dsnyder160/DPP_1542TIF.jpg

Still not getting good focus/tracking with the camera yet. Maybe I'll figure that out over the holidays.

Thanks for looking.

dave

[adrian5127]

iso definitely looks better than the 40D which I am considering upgrading from

[snyderman]

iso definitely looks better than the 40D which I am considering upgrading from

Upgraded from a 50D to the 7D. Not completely comfortable with the 7D yet, by any means, but for the 2nd time out with the camera, the results are pretty good.

dave

[adrian5127]

Is the focus etc very difficult to get to grips with?

[snyderman]

Is the focus etc very difficult to get to grips with?

I'm going to say yes, regardless of what anyone else says. Granted, I'm not the smartest person on the planet, but tracking players with the camera and convincing the lens to keep focusing is not working. It seems I have to keep 'bumping' the shutter button to keep the focus going. Something's not right with my setup, obviously.

Clearly, I had the red square (as indicated in DPP) on the numbers and got focus on the player BEHIND the focus in a number of shots.

The same 85mm f/1.8 lens had absolutely no difficulty tracking and keeping focus where aimed using the 50D.

For now, I'm still chalking this shortcoming up to USER-ERROR. Not blaming the camera because it's truly supposed to be more capable in this regard than any xxD model. I'll keep working on it and hopefully will stumble upon the correct focus mode for shooting basketball.

dave

[cstewart]

I'm going to say yes, regardless of what anyone else says. Granted, I'm not the smartest person on the planet, but tracking players with the camera and convincing the lens to keep focusing is not working. It seems I have to keep 'bumping' the shutter button to keep the focus going. Something's not right with my setup, obviously...

dave

Assume you are using AI Servo Mode (which requires shutter to be always half or fully pressed to keep working and are using the center point...but also try moving the focus function off of the shutter button and on to the * button on the back of the camera and you may get better results. It is a Custom Function (IV I believe) and has many benefits when shooting sports, including the ability to separate focus from exposure lock, an ability to prefocus on an area or player and stay there (works well for hockey goalies who constantly have players cutting in front of them and would disrupt focus in standard AI servo using shutter) . Or you can keep button depressed to engage and hold tracking in AI Servo and then bang off a frame as needed. It is a little bit to get used to but once you get it you will likley not go back. For benefits search here for Custom Fn. IV or "* button for focus" or similar"

[snyderman]

Assume you are using AI Servo Mode (which requires shutter to be always half or fully pressed to keep working and are using the center point...but also try moving the focus function off of the shutter button and on to the * button on the back of the camera and you may get better results. It is a Custom Function (IV I believe) and has many benefits when shooting sports, including the ability to separate focus from exposure lock, an ability to prefocus on an area or player and stay there (works well for hockey goalies who constantly have players cutting in front of them and would disrupt focus in standard AI servo using shutter) . Or you can keep button depressed to engage and hold tracking in AI Servo and then bang off a frame as needed. It is a little bit to get used to but once you get it you will likley not go back. For benefits search here for Custom Fn. IV or "* button for focus" or similar"

Yes to AI Servo and I believe the camera focus is set to the (*) button. For some reason, the * works fine, but focus doesn't appear to be tracking while mashing down on * button. When I press shutter 1/2 way down, it does, though.

As mentioned, I'm pretty sure all my ills are self-imposed, so more reading and trial and error will likely solve the issues.

thanks for the tip. And I'll double check the Fn IV area in the menu.

dave

[packpe89]

I had no problems, tried the 7d with both the 85/1.8 and 70-200/2.8 IS with very good results. AF is very good and ISO is much better than the 40D.

[ChrisK10]

I have shot 8 games with my 7D and a 70-200 f/2.8. I have tried center point focus as well as different zone focus modes. I have had great success with the AF tracking and seem to get slightly better pics with the center zone focus.

[snyderman]

I have shot 8 games with my 7D and a 70-200 f/2.8. I have tried center point focus as well as different zone focus modes. I have had great success with the AF tracking and seem to get slightly better pics with the center zone focus.

Chris,

just for clarification, do you mean the middle GROUP of focus points with the ( ) around them? If this is what you mean, I hadn't thought of it. Let me know for sure so I can give that a try.

dave

[ChrisK10]

just for clarification, do you mean the middle GROUP of focus points with the ( ) around them? If this is what you mean, I hadn't thought of it. Let me know for sure so I can give that a try.

Dave

yes that is exactly what I have been using and it seems to work for me. I hope it works for you as well.

[bharm24]

I rented a 7D to shoot the City of Palms HS basket tournament this past week. Comparing this to my 30d and 40d on noise levels and tracking focus, the 7D is a pure joy to use. After a day of practice, I was able to get some of the best action shots I have ever taken. Noise levels are great, althought dosen't touch 5D2. Can't wait to buy. 30D and 40D both for sale soon. Will post a few shots when time permits.

[ChasWG]

Why did I read this thread???!!!!!

Damn you snyderman!! Damn all of you who own the 7D!!!!

I need to go and talk to my wife now, this won't be good...

[snyderman]

Dave

yes that is exactly what I have been using and it seems to work for me. I hope it works for you as well.

Thanks Chris. Definitely give that a shot next game.

dave

[snyderman]

I rented a 7D to shoot the City of Palms HS basket tournament this past week. Comparing this to my 30d and 40d on noise levels and tracking focus, the 7D is a pure joy to use. After a day of practice, I was able to get some of the best action shots I have ever taken. Noise levels are great, althought dosen't touch 5D2. Can't wait to buy. 30D and 40D both for sale soon. Will post a few shots when time permits.

Brian:

I'm REALLY impressed with the lack of noise. Shooting in the same gyms this year as last and relied heavily on Neat Image with both a 30 and 50D which I swapped up to during basketball season last year.

No comparison of the xxD bodies and the 7D. I've seen some say it's like 1 stop better, (whatever that means) but to my eyes the difference in noise with the 7D was worth every penny of the purchase!

dave

[snyderman]

Why did I read this thread???!!!!!

Damn you snyderman!! Damn all of you who own the 7D!!!!

I need to go and talk to my wife now, this won't be good...

Chas:

I know ... this place can be rough on the wallet and savings account!

Trying to convince myself this is the LAST upgrade to made for quite some time. In all seriousness, getting better on what I have is the area of focus for 2010.

dave

[ChrisK10]

Why did I read this thread???!!!!!

Damn you snyderman!! Damn all of you who own the 7D!!!!

I need to go and talk to my wife now, this won't be good...

hahahahahahah...that's awesome. I was lucky and didn't have to do much convincing. In fact my wife went with me to buy the camera (and a 70-200 f/2.8 L IS). I couldn't believe it.

[khatley]

I suggest you turn on rear focus and use the shutter for firing only. That is a quick and easy way to freeze your focus in crowds without missing a step

[ChunkyDA]

I took a few RAW test shots with the 7D in BestBuy. When I opened them with DPP I found that the "default" NR setting was quite high, which made them soft/blurry. Moving the sliders down to zero made them look like my 40D. Are these truely shot with no NR or no additional NR than the default settings at high ISO?