Updated: with darker simulation (after seeing it on uncalibrated screens)

I have been using a Canon 5D mark II for a while now, but this year Canon released their new mark III. Just recently this camera have been available in Norway, and yesterday I fell for the temptation and bought an upgrade.

After testing it for a few hours I have come to enjoy it very much. Among else I tested taking pictures at ISO 102.400 in a very dark room with no lighting (except the slight midnight light that came in trough the curtains). Of course it was a noisy image, but it turned out much better than expected.

All the images have been taken using our cat as a model. There are several reasons for that, but mostly it is because I do not need a model release and she does not protest too much. And equally important, it makes it possible to see how the fur changes appearance with different light and noise levels.

Below I have put together the images as it was captured in the dark room and an image that I tried to make as dark as the room was (at least as dark as I remember it) below. The image is captured at 1/400s, f/2.2 and ISO 102.400. You can see a lot of noise but it is a lot better than expected.

As captured. Canon 5D mark III – capture settings: 1/400s, f/2.2 and ISO 102.400

Simulated darkness – ISO 102.400

If anything this simulation is actually still too bright.

Below is an image taken with just one single fluorescent light at ISO 8000. That is well within the default auto settings (ISO 100-12.800)

Indoor at normal lights – 1/40s, f/4.0, ISO 8000

The image got slightly blurry, and the fur of our cat is slightly diffused. I admit that could be the cause of the photographer as well, but the image is still better than similar 6400 ISO pictures on the 5D mark II.

Finally I have included a sample taken outside using 1/250s, f/5.6, ISO 100.

Captured outdoors in the sun, 1/250s, f/5.6, ISO 100

So, expect this blog to get several updates this summer.