Expansion ISO

Is there a huge difference between the last few rounds of bodies that went from ISO 100-3200 +H1 and H2 to those that are now ISO 100-6400 + H1? I have a 50D and have been pleased with ISO 6400 (as long as ETTR was used) as far as grain/noise is concerned. I may be skewed in my view though as I am old enough to have shot B&W film pushed a stop or two.

I have seen pictures posted and at this resolution I see little difference. What is the real world, actual print difference?

The newer canon cameras like the 1D Mark IV.....the new 6400 is the old 3200. Even shooting my Mark IV at 10000 with correct exposure the results are very very good. My 7D I won't go over 6400. And even then it is a bit noisy. LR 3 helps quite a bit with the conversion on the 7D and the Mark IV.

The 7D, 1DIV, 5DII, and T2i are all very, very good at ISOs over 3200. I think the 60D will be added to this list, but may be just under these 4, time will tell. I shoot at 12800 quite a bit on the 7D and it is very usuable for at least web and photo/video CDs for marching band participants.

Here is a recent HAMSTTR/ETTR shot at 12800 on the 7D. Below that is a normally exposed shot at 12800, a bit more grain.