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Excellent Camera For Low Light?

Discussion in 'Photography' started by Azza, Jan 23, 2019.

  1. Jan 23, 2019 at 9:48 AM
    #1
    Azza

    Azza [OP] ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

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    Hey all. I want to start taking more photos, especially now that I go off-roading and whatnot and my iPhone X is just not cutting it. I'm wondering what is the best camera for taking pictures, with the focus being in low light and even dark conditions. My budget is around $1,000.


    Cheers.
     
  2. Jan 23, 2019 at 6:14 PM
    #2
    Norsemanvike

    Norsemanvike Well-Known Member

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    Something that you can long exposure with, i.e. 20+ seconds on a tripod. If you increase the ISO too much, you'll start to introduce more grain. Look at some package deals at Costo, Sam's Club etc. And invest in decent tripod.
     
    Azza[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  3. Jan 25, 2019 at 2:00 PM
    #3
    tirediron

    tirediron Well-Known Member

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    In general terms, a "full-frame" DSLR such as a Pentax K1, Nikon D XXX, or Canon equivalent. In general terms the newest camera with the largest sensor will offer the best results in this area, but it's also one of the most expensive areas to get improvement in. If long exposures are an option, than as @Norsemanvike mentions, a good tripod is where you want to spend your money. If not than $1000 isn't really much of a budget for shooting in the dark. Is adding more light (flashes) an option?
     
    Norsemanvike likes this.
  4. Jul 22, 2020 at 12:22 PM
    #4
    Assumer

    Assumer Well-Known Member

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    You can get a used Canon 5DIII for 1400 if you look. Great camera but your still going to need a tripod to get low light shots.
     
  5. Jul 22, 2020 at 12:28 PM
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    medic2230

    medic2230 @Koditten Pirate Radio member #002

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    Full frame will be the winner in that area. Along with a tripod for a long exposure. Can also be done with a crop frame but better suited with a full frame for low light. You might be able to find a Nikon used D800 body for that price. Still going to need a lens and tripod though. Keep in mind full frame is a different ballgame in lenses. They are more expensive than crop frame lenses. They will accept a crop frame lens but you’re kinda bypassing the whole point of the full frame camera.


    Canon makes them also but I’m not that familiar with used prices of canon. Been a Nikon shooter for 36 years.
     
  6. Jul 22, 2020 at 12:54 PM
    #6
    SmokeyTacoAZ

    SmokeyTacoAZ Well-Known Member

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    Nikon D750s go for about $1250 new now (without lens). Refurbished can be had for close to $1000. 6 years old but still one of the best low light cameras out there. Heres one I just took with mine. I've had the camera about 4 years. I have many others too. The sensor in the D750 is awesome... If you really want low light capability best to go full frame with lower megapixel. Large pixels are better. I'd say go for a 24MP or less full frame Sony or Nikon. In general they're slightly better sensors than Canon. Kinda splitting hairs on that point, but when you're doing low light photography you are really pushing the data hard in post processing

    _DSC0844-Edit.jpg

    Edit:. Err maybe astrophotography isn't your focus, bad assumption on my part. But you still want to go full frame. In general my advice would still be the same as above. Some of the newer Sony's and Nikon's take great photos at High ISO
     
    Groan Old likes this.
  7. Sep 19, 2020 at 6:09 PM
    #7
    Groan Old

    Groan Old Well-Known Member

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    Canon light sensors , according to my astro pals who have used both, is a better sensor than Nikon, it naturally shows more in the low red to infrared range, and can be modified to go much further into infrared. A 60Da Canon is supposedly the ultimate DSLR astro camera. I'm stuck right now with a crop frame Nikon, which does a fairly good job for an entry level (D3400) camera.

    That is a fantastic image of Comet Neowise, what are the exposure particulars for that? And where were you when you took it?
     
  8. Dec 1, 2020 at 7:00 AM
    #8
    STrooper

    STrooper For HIS glory!

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    Hands down the Sony Alpha series is the BEST for low light shooting.
     
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  9. Feb 20, 2021 at 5:41 PM
    #9
    bassmusic

    bassmusic Well-Known Member

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    I am a NIKON dood til death, have been since 1998. However, I hear nothing but raves about the SONY cameras, and my buddy shoots a lot of nightscapes of downtown Miami with his, and the photos are stunning.

    I wish the Sony's looked and felt more like Nikons but they don't. Otherwise I'd switch. I hear *some* sports photographers are finally making the switch to SONY which is mindblowing.

    I got this shot with my D7100 of the Perseids meteor shower, no complaints really for a 7 year old camera.

    I did a series in LA a year ago too that I'm really happy with.

    DSC_0102.jpg

    DSC_4788.jpg
     
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  10. Feb 22, 2021 at 8:57 AM
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    STrooper

    STrooper For HIS glory!

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    SONY all day long!!! I've bee a Nikon and Canon user for a LONG time and made the change with no regrets. The Sony innovation and technology has blown the competition and they are here to stay specially with their mirrorless cameras.
     
    bassmusic[QUOTED] and Azza[OP] like this.
  11. Jun 23, 2021 at 7:04 AM
    #11
    vorkuta775

    vorkuta775 Well-Known Member

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