Noob OM-D Auto ISO noisy

ryanlogic · #1 June 25th, 2012, 07:04 PM

I'm still learning about my camera, and I know I should be setting my Aperture, ISO, and shutter speed on my own... but in between learning sessions, I still want to take good shots. when I am not fiddling with manual mode, I've been shooting mostly on manual aperture mode(A). From what I can see, the camera comes with an auto ISO range between 200 and 1600. its been raining a lot and not very sunny out at all so Ive been taking a lot of shots in the evening, and indoors with poor lighting. I read somewhere that the ISO range can be increased to about 200-3200 and still produce acceptable images. I've found that most of the images I am taking are pretty grainy/noisy, and bumped it back down to 1600 max ISO.

I also programed one of the directional keys to go into the ISO menu, and Ive been playing around with lower ISO settings and slower shutter speeds with some success....but then its hard to shoot handheld. Ive yet to take the camera outside on a sunny day, and I cant wait to, but i have a feeling that I should invest in a faster lens ASAP, because I like shooting indoors and I cant always control the lighting to get the best shots.

Im just posting this to see if my thought loop is correct, and to ensure that I am not missing anything obvious.

any advice would be awesome

D@ne · #2 June 25th, 2012, 07:09 PM

The pictures you posted look great!

Are you shooting jpeg or raw? I ask because noise reduction/filter settings may be impacting your photos.

I have my em5 to only go as high as 1600, because that's where I find I'm most comfortable with noise production, but others seem okay setting the high-end to 3200 (which I use on Manual occasionally).

What lens are you using?

ryanlogic · #3 June 25th, 2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D@ne

The pictures you posted look great!

Are you shooting jpeg or raw? I ask because noise reduction/filter settings may be impacting your photos.

I have my em5 to only go as high as 1600, because that's where I find I'm most comfortable with noise production, but others seem okay setting the high-end to 3200 (which I use on Manual occasionally).

What lens are you using?

12-50mm kit lens

I am shooting raw, and using noise reduction (luminance slider) in lightroom...but the images get really soft when I get the noise to an acceptable level. I'm not getting the sharpness I see in others photos from the same lens. Again, I think the aperture on this lens is pretty limiting for indoor and low light shooting, I am looking at the 25mm f/1.4 Leica DG Summilux. I just really want to get the basics down and see exactly what I want before I jump for another purchase.

I could upload a few untouched samples if it would help

D@ne · #4 June 25th, 2012, 07:43 PM

I would take it for a spin outside on a nice day and see how your results fare...I have a feeling that lens is lacking for indoor use, but I've not used it personally.

If you wanted some enablement, the PL25 is incredibly versatile for use inside (and out). Even at 1.4 it's incredibly sharp, but goes even more so between 2.0-5.6 (4.0 being the apex...all accordingly to lenstip.com).

dre_tech · #5 June 25th, 2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanlogic

12-50mm kit lens

I am shooting raw, and using noise reduction (luminance slider) in lightroom...but the images get really soft when I get the noise to an acceptable level. I'm not getting the sharpness I see in others photos from the same lens. Again, I think the aperture on this lens is pretty limiting for indoor and low light shooting, I am looking at the 25mm f/1.4 Leica DG Summilux. I just really want to get the basics down and see exactly what I want before I jump for another purchase.

I could upload a few untouched samples if it would help

The noise level you're willing to accept is sort of a personal thing. I'm okay with ISO 1600 while others aren't okay with that noise. I generally do luminance NR to about 20 for lower ISO, and no higher than 40 unless the specific photo and the intended use warrant that.

I really like the look of your 393 photo. I'm curious what the pre-NR looks like, just to see how noisy I'd feel it is. From looking at the largest size on flickr, I tend to like slightly less NR and more grainy look. You can also try raising the detail slider a bit.

25/1.4 is very nice I hear, but you'll be playing with rather thin depth of field indoors at f/1.4... It's not a magic bullet. You're right about playing around more before you make a big purchase.

Here's a photo taken with the Olympus 45/1.8, notice the very thin DoF... In this case it worked, but photos with people you'll probably have to stop it down if you want more depth in focus. BTW, the grainy look isn't relevant because it's B&W Look 4 in LR which adds some of that. It was ISO 800, luminance NR 30, detail 60 on the GX1.

P1020759.jpg

ryanlogic · #6 June 25th, 2012, 07:59 PM

I guess I'm torn, because I'd like my next lens to be a portrait lens.... Maybe the 45mm or the upcoming 75mm Olympus lens. After that I planned on getting a smaller wide angle prime for street shooting... giving me a versatile zoom for walkabouts, a nice portrait lens, and a good compact prime. But if I can't use this zoom to hold me over I will have to put the dedicated portrait lens on hold, in favor of something like the 25mm.

this isn't the lens discussion section, and I'm pretty sure it's a total noob question.... But would the 25mm Panasonic lens afford decent portraits? At f1.4 I'm assuming so, but I'm also assuming I would have to take them quite close... And for events and banquets and stuff that seems like it would be hard to do without getting up in everybody's face.

With_Eyes_Unclouded · #7 June 25th, 2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanlogic

I am shooting raw, and using noise reduction (luminance slider) in lightroom...

Please don't.

It never works that well and this is my observation for other cameras also.

Quote:

Again, I think the aperture on this lens is pretty limiting for indoor and low light shooting

It is. Then again, most kit (and not only) standard zooms, from any system, are limited in that respect. You either go for faster primes, or wait for premium zooms to become available (apart from the Pana 12-35, which in fact is hardly a replacement for the 12-50).

Quote:

I could upload a few untouched samples if it would help

That'll be great, esp. if you can upload RAW files somewhere.

ryanlogic · #8 June 25th, 2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dre_tech

The noise level you're willing to accept is sort of a personal thing. I'm okay with ISO 1600 while others aren't okay with that noise. I generally do luminance NR to about 20 for lower ISO, and no higher than 40 unless the specific photo and the intended use warrant that.

I really like the look of your 393 photo. I'm curious what the pre-NR looks like, just to see how noisy I'd feel it is. From looking at the largest size on flickr, I tend to like slightly less NR and more grainy look. You can also try raising the detail slider a bit.

25/1.4 is very nice I hear, but you'll be playing with rather thin depth of field indoors at f/1.4... It's not a magic bullet. You're right about playing around more before you make a big purchase.

Here's a photo taken with the Olympus 45/1.8, notice the very thin DoF... In this case it worked, but photos with people you'll probably have to stop it down if you want more depth in focus. BTW, the grainy look isn't relevant because it's B&W Look 4 in LR which adds some of that. It was ISO 800, luminance NR 30, detail 60 on the GX1.

P1020759.jpg

Ok, so a wider aperture will narrow the depth of field..... Which outside, or in good lighting will allow a wide range of shooting options using aperture, ISO, and shutter speed to get the desired level of bokeh, and exposure...

But, in situations with low lighting... the lens can be opened up to let in more light in...allowing the photographer to reduce the ISO and eliminate noise......however this is at the expense of having the freedom to dial in the depth of field with the aperture that was afforded in better lighting.

I think I'm putting it all together.

Which is why when I use the zoom, the aperture that I have available reduces, creating the noise problem.

Which is why they sell extremely expensive lenses with consistent aperture throughout the zoom.

Epiphanies are cool.

Thanks

I'll upload an unedited version for viewing after dinner

ryanlogic · #9 June 25th, 2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dre_tech

The noise level you're willing to accept is sort of a personal thing. I'm okay with ISO 1600 while others aren't okay with that noise. I generally do luminance NR to about 20 for lower ISO, and no higher than 40 unless the specific photo and the intended use warrant that.

I really like the look of your 393 photo. I'm curious what the pre-NR looks like, just to see how noisy I'd feel it is. From looking at the largest size on flickr, I tend to like slightly less NR and more grainy look. You can also try raising the detail slider a bit.

25/1.4 is very nice I hear, but you'll be playing with rather thin depth of field indoors at f/1.4... It's not a magic bullet. You're right about playing around more before you make a big purchase.

Here's a photo taken with the Olympus 45/1.8, notice the very thin DoF... In this case it worked, but photos with people you'll probably have to stop it down if you want more depth in focus. BTW, the grainy look isn't relevant because it's B&W Look 4 in LR which adds some of that. It was ISO 800, luminance NR 30, detail 60 on the GX1.

P1020759.jpg

Cute dog btw!

ryanlogic · #10 June 25th, 2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by With_Eyes_Unclouded

Please don't.

It never works that well and this is my observation for other cameras also.

It is. Then again, most kit (and not only) standard zooms, from any system, are limited in that respect. You either go for faster primes, or wait for premium zooms to become available (apart from the Pana 12-35, which in fact is hardly a replacement for the 12-50).

That'll be great, esp. if you can upload RAW files somewhere.

Please don't what?