high-ISO woodpeckers

[squirl033]

this shot of two pileated woodpeckers working on a nesting tree was taken with a Canon 7D Mk II at ISO 6400, 1/160 @ f/8.using a Tamron 150-600mm lens at 400mm. the image was fairly noisy - at least by my standards - but cleaned up acceptably well for non-critical uses. i wouldn't make large prints from it, certainly, but it would probably make a reasonably decent 5x7 or even 8x10. obviously, the 7DII's low-light performance isn't going to threaten the likes of the Nikon D4s, but it's still pretty decent. i'll be interested to try it in low light with a wider lens, like my 24-105, just to see if that makes a difference... long telephoto zooms aren't the best choices for high-ISO shooting!

 

[Terry O]

Not sure what the connection is between long lenses and ISO other than lens speed. Obviously an f2.8 lens is going to offer the opportunity to use a lower ISO vs say an f5.6. Is there something I am missing Rocky? Or is that your point?

Lets face it, everything in photography is a compromise, anyway. What we need is a 600mm f2.8 that is the same weight and size (and price) as your trusty 150-600

 

[squirl033]

that was what i was getting at, Terry... my 150-600 is an f/5-6.3 lens, and for light like this, it's just not quite fast enough. i don't shoot in such dim light often, fortunately. my real point was that i'm looking forward to shooting the 7DII in low-light situations with a faster lens, perhaps my Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 for some milky way shots or something, to see how it does with that. my 5DII is just a bit too noisy above 3200... even at 3200, the noise is quite noticeable.

 

[Terry O]

that was what i was getting at, Terry... my 150-600 is an f/5-6.3 lens, and for light like this, it's just not quite fast enough. i don't shoot in such dim light often, fortunately. my real point was that i'm looking forward to shooting the 7DII in low-light situations with a faster lens, perhaps my Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 for some milky way shots or something, to see how it does with that. my 5DII is just a bit too noisy above 3200... even at 3200, the noise is quite noticeable.

Point taken, Rocky . You are lucky, my 400 5.6 with the 1.4x is f8 wide open . Wouldn't it be nice if the birds would stay still enough for slow shutter speeds, and we could take advantage of the reach!..