How does one get good high ISO images?

I always seem to end up with underexposed pictures when i shoot flash-less high ISO images.
I've tested using ISO 3200 at night and it looks horrible, but when i use a flash to get correct exposure (as a test) the noise level is much lower.

Tips on high ISO in a streetlight setting would be really helpful.

One of the biggest keys to getting less noise in a high ISO image (any image, really) is proper exposure. If you are underexposing and then having to adjust the exposure later, you are just making the noise that much more noticeable.

Would it be more proper to use "Evaluative Metering" at night?
I usually use center weighted metering.

proper exposure like what was said, plus I will over expose a little and bring it down later. As far as metering goes, not sure but I use them all and doesn't seem to make a difference for me. Just experiment.

Doing a little noise experiment, found something cool

This is what I generally use for exposure: Need an exposure crutch?

Why?
Post #47

It sounds like your problem is more with proper exposure than with high ISO. I tend to still use spot metering with night photos, just paying attention to where I'm metering. Then I shoot in manual most of the time, because it's very easy to catch a street light or bright reflection that's going to throw your automatic metering. PhotosGuy's articles should definitely help you out in that arena. Which lens are you primarily using by the way? I can generally get away with ISO 1600 on a moderately lit street/sidewalk with my 50mm f/1.4, or even my 85mm f/1.8. That's of course assuming I'm not trying to freeze action, in which case I'm probably using flash.

Expose as much as you can without blowing the highlights, don't trust the camera meter at night, as long as you don't blow highlights you can overexpose as much as you can and then bring the exposure down to your like when you convert the RAW.

Expose by trial and error in manual mode start with an educated guess, then increase the exposure to expose as much as you can.

Use a good RAW developer like DxO Optics and a good noise reduction program like Topaz Denoise4 (great).

Check out the book - "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Petersen (on Amazon) .... it's a great reference book that addresses this topic.

bjyoder wrote in post #10173238
One of the biggest keys to getting less noise in a high ISO image (any image, really) is proper exposure.

that's all there is to it.

Darkwand wrote in post #10173160
Tips on high ISO in a streetlight setting would be really helpful.

Expose correctly and use sensible PP.

Changing metering modes is not the answer.

SOK wrote in post #10175845
Expose correctly and use sensible PP.

Changing metering modes is not the answer.

Unless changing the metering mode helps lead him to a better exposure.

bjyoder wrote in post #10175897
Unless changing the metering mode helps lead him to a better exposure.

I knew someone would come back with that.

I think it would help the OP address the issue to understand that metering does not fundamentally have any control over exposure. The fact that metering drives the exposure in the auto modes fuels a lot of confusion.

If you are in certain situations, you can choose to blow the highlights if it is appropriate (perhaps the lights in a chandelier, or light from a window) and bring the rest of the scene brighter.

Where are you taking these high iso night time photos? Are they indoor incandescent lighting? If so, I find that I need to use EC +2/3 while using centerweighted averaging metering. The yellow color of the light fools your light meter causing under exposure with this kind of lighting.