Noisy images on a Nikon D850?

[Fiona]

Just back from photographing a lake at sunset, and I'm worried that the images are looking noisy in the shadows. I was shooting at ISO 640, which on a Nikon D850 I would expect to be fine? Where am I going wrong? Ia it worth trying software to remove the noise? Or is it just that the files are so big that when viewed at 100% it shows up with loads of noise? Please someone explain to me what to do / what I should have done in idiot's terms! Thank you! I don't want to risk failing when I upload... 

 

[MDM]

No problem Nigel. Glad to help. The reason I said Grays is that they tend to have the best prices for new Nikon kit these days. If you are trading in as well then it is probably worth having a look at Wex as their trade in prices might be better than Grays although I don't really know. I haven't checked the exact prices at the moment either. If you want any more advice feel free to ask. I have no experience with the updated cameras (Z6II and Z7II) but I think the updates are relatively minor - the second card slot is a good one but probably not necessary unless doing critical work as the XQD cards are really reliable. Nikon keep updating the firmware in the original Z6 and Z7 as well so reviews relating to the originals are way out of date.

[Fiona]

6 hours ago, Nigel Kirby said:

Thanks Michael for your sound advice, as soon as its possible we will go to Grays and sort out a Z6/ Z7 Kit.

Regards

Nigel

Have you considered the 24-120 with the D850? I’m a fan. D850 is a wonderful camera and the 24-120 is a nice light, versatile  lens. Great for travel. Unfortunately only f4 so useless for portraits 

[MDM]

17 minutes ago, Fiona said:

Have you considered the 24-120 with the D850? I’m a fan. D850 is a wonderful camera and the 24-120 is a nice light, versatile  lens. Great for travel. Unfortunately only f4 so useless for portraits 

I looked at this lens some time ago but the edge sharpness is not great so I would not recommend it for use on a high MP camera such as the D850 or any D8xx series camera if good sharpness across the frame is important. Also it is still quite heavy on a D850 in comparison to the Z kit if lightness is important. 

 

With mirrorless the f4 max aperture of the so-called kit lens is not a big issue in terms of brightness as the EVF will brighten up the scene. I don’t use anything wider than f4 for portraits anyway so that is not a problem in that regard. 
 

Your swan picture on Lough Neagh (2FK2K32) is a beaut by the way. Decisive moment. 👌

[Fiona]

19 minutes ago, MDM said:

I looked at this lens some time ago but the edge sharpness is not great so I would not recommend it for use on a high MP camera such as the D850 or any D8xx series camera if good sharpness across the frame is important. Also it is still quite heavy on a D850 in comparison to the Z kit if lightness is important. 

 

With mirrorless the f4 max aperture of the so-called kit lens is not a big issue in terms of brightness as the EVF will brighten up the scene. I don’t use anything wider than f4 for portraits anyway so that is not a problem in that regard. 
 

Your swan picture on Lough Neagh (2FK2K32) is a beaut by the way. Decisive moment. 👌

Yes, that's true. It's not amazingly sharp, alas. What would you recommend for landscapes? Thank you for the kind words about the swan. Took ages for her to swim into the right place lol

[MDM]

7 hours ago, Fiona said:

Yes, that's true. It's not amazingly sharp, alas. What would you recommend for landscapes? Thank you for the kind words about the swan. Took ages for her to swim into the right place lol

It was well worth the wait though. Patience is key in photography. 
 

What lens for landscapes on a D850.? Another difficult one. Obviously it depends on what one can or is willing to spend. I used to use primes all the time with a tripod as the quality of primes tended to be better than zooms but that has changed in recent years. The newer 24-70 2.8 Nikkor with stabilisation is a fantastic lens but very heavy for walkabout. I was using that as a general landscape lens for a while with or without a tripod (the stabilisation is excellent) but, since I got the Z7, the Z series 24-70 f4 lens has taken over. The older I get, the more I like light. 

Edited May 4, 2021 by MDM

[Fiona]

How do you feel about the z7 compared to the d850, other than the weight? 

[CAROL SAUNDERS]

If you like wider angle you could check out the Nikon 14-24mm 2.8 - it's a fabulous lens but not cheap.  I used to have one but eventually passed it on.  I also have the 24-70mm 2.8 though not the new version, again also excellent.  An under rated lens in my opinion is the 28-300mm, a good all round lens.

 

Carol

[MDM]

1 hour ago, Fiona said:

How do you feel about the z7 compared to the d850, other than the weight? 

Image quality is superb as the sensors are very similar. The ability to shoot confidently without a tripod at shutter speeds as low as 1/15 for static subjects with the excellent IBIS is a massive plus.
 

The big difference is in the AF on the Z7, which is not great in low light or for tracking moving subjects. The D850 is amazing in these areas as well as just about everything else. I believe the Z7ii has improved AF and tracking but I am not even thinking about it as the D850 is perfect for when I need to use it in low light or for tracking fast movement. Mirrorless is also better for video which is something I have been doing a lot of since the beginning of the pandemic and the Z7 can shoot raw video with some extras, something none of the Nikon DSLRs can do. 
 

Conclusion - as a landscape camera or for general carrying around, the Z7 is perfect. 
 

Edit. The Z7 only has one card slot which could be an issue when shooting critical stuff for clients (e.g. wedding). I have never to date had an XQD card fail but I always have an SD card as backup in the second slot of the D850. The Z7ii has a second card slot. 

Edited May 4, 2021 by MDM