EM1-mk2 at ISO 12800

[ac12]

The other day, I shot a volleyball game with the 12-100/4, at ISO 12800. That is an ISO level that I normally do not go up to.
I shot a tennis match earlier, and did not want to lug around more weight, with yet another lens (more weight in the bag), so I just shot with what I had. This was the 12-100/4.
But at f/4 (vs f/2.8), I had to push the ISO up to 12800, just to shoot at 1/500 sec.

I was surprised. The results at ISO 12800 are decently good. ?
At ISO 6400 I used to get a bit of image noise. But yesterday, at ISO 12800 I got less image noise than before at ISO 6400.
The difference is down to something Robin Wong said, at HIGH ISO, shoot with the mechanical shutter, not the e-shutter. I don't know why, but the mechanical shutter generates less image noise than the e-shutter.

I'm going to try it again tomorrow, to make sure about things.

I think I may have found my almost ideal gym kit; EM1-mk2 + 12-100/4.

 

[RichardC]

The other day, I shot a volleyball game with the 12-100/4, at ISO 12800. That is an ISO level that I normally do not go up to.
I shot a tennis match earlier, and did not want to lug around more weight, with yet another lens (more weight in the bag), so I just shot with what I had. This was the 12-100/4.
But at f/4 (vs f/2.8), I had to push the ISO up to 12800, just to shoot at 1/500 sec.

I was surprised. The results at ISO 12800 are decently good. ?
At ISO 6400 I used to get a bit of image noise. But yesterday, at ISO 12800 I got less image noise than before at ISO 6400.
The difference is down to something Robin Wong said, at HIGH ISO, shoot with the mechanical shutter, not the e-shutter. I don't know why, but the mechanical shutter generates less image noise than the e-shutter.

I'm going to try it again tomorrow, to make sure about things.

I think I may have found my almost ideal gym kit; EM1-mk2 + 12-100/4.

That's marvellous, well done.

By any chance, I don't suppose you have any pictures to share? Asking for a friend

 

[John King]

@ac12 Glad that's working for you.

Even in almost total darkness, even my E-M1 MkI with its relatively noisy Panasonic sensor, the noise is fine grained at ISO 12,800. Don't even think of using its JPEGs though ...

e.g.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[pake]

Oh boy... 12-100mm would be such an awesome range for most indoor events but the f/4 is... eh... scary. I'm too scared to test this myself so I'll be waiting for the OP's samples.

 

[John King]

Oh boy... 12-100mm would be such an awesome range for most indoor events but the f/4 is... eh... scary. I'm too scared to test this myself so I'll be waiting for the OP's samples.

Why scared, Teemu?
Just take some test shots, and see how they go.

f/4 is generally an ideal aperture to get reasonable DoF.

DO NOT underexpose!

If you search my web site for "6400" and "12800", you will see some low light examples.

 

[pake]

Why scared, Teemu?
Just take some test shots, and see how they go.

f/4 is generally an ideal aperture to get reasonable DoF.

DO NOT underexpose!

If you search my web site for "6400" and "12800", you will see some low light examples.

I am an addict for good IQ and try to maximize the IQ whenever possible. I often find my f/2.8 zooms are too slow when shooting at various events. Need I say more?

 

[John King]

I'm an addict for good IQ. I try to maximize the IQ whenever possible. I often find my f/2.8 zooms are too slow when shooting at various events. Need I say more?

So am I, Teemu.

However, a taken shot is always better than no shot.

Now that both our precious 21 y.o. pussycats have gone back to the Earth, every shot I've ever taken of them has become precious beyond price.

 

[MichailK]

avoid fast indoor events then!

 

[pake]

avoid fast indoor events then!

Nope!

 

[davidzvi]

@ac12 Sample images?

 

[Susan G.]

Can you explain what mechanical shutter is. I would love to be able to crank my ISO that high!

 

[RichardC]

Can you explain what mechanical shutter is. I would love to be able to crank my ISO that high!

The first shutter setting on the menu. No hearts or diamonds (Olympus).

 

[Susan G.]

Thank you! In other words, a single shot, no burst, right? That's the setting I usually shoot with.

 

[turbodieselvw]

Thank you! In other words, a single shot, no burst, right? That's the setting I usually shoot with.

You can take multiple shots with mechanical shutter, just not as many per second as silent shutter

 

[ac12]

@Susan G.
The mechanical shutter can shoot both single or continuous (low and high).

I normally shoot high school sports with the e-shutter, simply to reduce the wear on the mechanical shutter.
On my Nikon D7200, at only 6fps, I shot an average of 25,000 frames a year. I'm at some place over 100,000 shutter clicks on the D7200.
Unfortunately, the gym (for volleyball and basketball) is not well lit, so I have to crank up the ISO level. So I am now shooting in the gym with the mechanical shutter.

The speed difference is, the mechanical shutter, in continuous mode, has a lower frame rate.
Continuous LOW is 10fps vs. 18fps with the e-shutter.
Continuous HIGH is 15fps vs. 60fps with the e-shutter. (I rarely use HIGH on the e-shutter. Toooo many frames to sort through.)

 

[ac12]

Here is a sample.
Full frame, and cropped (no post processing).
EM1-mk2, ISO 12800, 1/500 sec
12-100/4 @ f/4

 

[ac12]

That 12-100/4 is such a nice lens in the gym
The 12-40/2.8 was often frustratingly short in reach to the other side of the court (the short width, not the long length).
I wish the 12-100/4 were a stop faster, but the ISO 12800 pics are "good enough," for me.

I'll even take a shorter zoom range 20-80/2.8

 

[RichardC]

The uncropped image looks fine on my monitor, full screen at a normal viewing distance.

The cropped image less so, but you still had 50mm to play with

The 40-150mm f2.8 is a nice lens if you want a bit more speed. It's not long until Christmas.

 

[ac12]

The uncropped image looks fine on my monitor, full screen at a normal viewing distance.

The cropped image less so, but you still had 50mm to play with

The 40-150mm f2.8 is a nice lens if you want a bit more speed. It's not long until Christmas.

Exactly. Which is why I was surprised and happy with the results.

I do have the 40-150/2.8, but it is a bit long on the short end.
I use it for shooting the length of the court. Although the 12-100 can do that almost as well.

I'm planning on asking Santa for the 8-24/4.

 

[turbodieselvw]

If you have Topaz de noise you can clear up a lot of that noise and your image will be even better