Testing the Nikon D4: High ISO

This shot of two Ring-tailed Lemurs was captured in low light at ISO 12,800. The linked image is a 100% crop jpg. Processing is standard Lightroom 4 input sharpening and no noise reduction or output sharpening. Nikkor 300/f4 with TCII14 = 420mm, 1/80 @ f/5.6, 12,800 ISO

Nikon D700 and Nikon D3 ISO Noise Demonstration

I confirmed using data from DxOMark that this test is valid for the Nikon D3, too.  Both cameras are perfectly noiseless from ISO 100 (LO 3) to ISO 640.  For each ISO in the camera's range, a frame was made with the lens cap on, manual exposure, f5.6 @ 1/250s. Then in Photoshop CS5, each frame was cropped to 3x actual pixels and adjusted with auto levels to uncover any trace of noise.  I highly recommend running this test, especially if you shoot Canon gear.

This new version is updated for HD, with changes made to allow viewing in Germany.  Music by Chris Guiney as Second Signal.

Tufted Puffin

To celebrate Valentine's Day, Jan and I had an excellent brunch at the Coronado. Afterwards we headed to the zoo and I found myself in an unusual situation: at the zoo without long lens or flash. So in Penguin/Puffin Cove I ran the 24-70mm out to 70mm, cranked the ISO to 3200, and shot at 1/50th at f/2.8 - and hoped for the best.

This young puffin took an interest in me. I'm not sure if it was the lens or the shutter sound, but the bird was intrigued and came very close, sometimes too close to focus.

I had to increase exposure by a stop in lightroom, but the ISO noise is really not bad.

Nikon D3, Nikon 24-70mm, 1/50 @ f/2.8, ISO 3200, Handheld