Your best opinion from experience. Best low light dslr. Not mirrorless.

vanislandguy · Mar 25, 2024

I am currently talking photos in semi low light in the early am's. The sun usually doesn't brighten up the sky till late am. I want to buy an older pro line sports dslr camera. Not mirrorless. From experience what pro line dslr camera would you suggest? One that is good in low light and is good with semi high iso. Best if it had a crop sensor too as I get further reach rather than full frame.

Why a dslr? because I have a lot of decent Nikon and Canon glass. I would hate to loose value for the moment. I am using the 7d original. Its great. What else is better? Thanks

Paul Howell · Mar 25, 2024

Not sure if either Nikon or Canon still makes a top level pro cropped sensor camera.

xkaes · Mar 25, 2024

There are lots of older Nikons & Canons to choose from -- and there are many websites with specs, reviews and comparisons, and I suspect, users with your interests in mind. But as Paul wrote, they have pretty much moved to full-frame -- it sure took them long enough!

The good news is that the used cameras are GREAT deals. I got all mine (Sony DSLRs) for 10% of their original list prices!!!

Robert Ley · Mar 25, 2024

I'm curious, are you using a tripod. Whenever I have shot in low light I have always used a tripod and can use lower ISO and smaller f stops to enhance dof. The Nikon pro level crop factor body is the D500. You may not be able pick one of these up new, but can get one on the used market.

Paul Howell · Mar 25, 2024

I have Sony as well, A900, A77II pretty good at low light, but I think a D800 is better as it has newer sensor. Are looking for new or used?

wiltw · Mar 25, 2024

These tests appear to rank the Nkon D780 the most noise free dSLR

Our Camera Photo Tests: Photo RAW Noise

Back in the days of film photography, different film stocks would leave different levels of grain in photos, an aftereffect of the chemical process involved in film exposure.

www.rtings.com

RalphLambrecht · Mar 25, 2024

vanislandguy said:
I am currently talking photos in semi low light in the early am's. The sun usually doesn't brighten up the sky till late am. I want to buy an older pro line sports dslr camera. Not mirrorless. From experience what pro line dslr camera would you suggest? One that is good in low light and is good with semi high iso. Best if it had a crop sensor too as I get further reach rather than full frame.

Why a dslr? because I have a lot of decent Nikon and Canon glass. I would hate to loose value for the moment. I am using the 7d original. Its great. What else is better? Thanks

for low light and high ISO the Nikon D800 is hard to beat.

Two23 · Mar 25, 2024

Nikon D850. I've had D7100-D300-D500-D800e-D850 now. I shoot at night. D850 is the best.

Kent in SD

koraks · Mar 26, 2024

vanislandguy said:
I am using the 7d original. Its great.

So don't look any further and be happy? Or get a 7DII if you want something slightly newer.

George Mann · Mar 26, 2024

Unfortunately, most people prefer lack of noise over sharpness and resolution, despite the capabilities of todays noise reduction software.

vanislandguy · Mar 26, 2024

Thanks all for the insightful info. Yes, I just would like a newer camera to use. Its hard to decide though. To get a f2.8 300mm prime or something similar used or a newer camera dslr body. I have the 7d right now with a 70 to 200mm f4. I do like the D850. Its expensive still though. My next camera of choice is probably the D500. Next D4 maybe. It all comes down to money obviously. Maybe a first gen 1dx?

RalphLambrecht · Mar 29, 2024

George Mann said:
Unfortunately, most people prefer lack of noise over sharpness and resolution, despite the capabilities of todays noise reduction software.

After using Topaz Photo AI for the first time, I was surprised to see how much apparent sharpness improves with noise reduction!

vanislandguy · Mar 30, 2024

Thanks all for all your valid replies and added information. I will continue to keep my original 7D for day time projects. Its still an amazing camera. I just needed something a little more on the large sensor side. After reading and making a decision I bought the 800E and a D3 Nikon. Only because the I got an amazing deal $340 CND for a Nikon 300mm f2.8 AF ED D lens. I know its screw driven but manual works ok too for me. Night shots anyways. Together using the large full frame and fast glass will get me going for now. Cheap too.

Thanks again all.

vanislandguy · Mar 30, 2024

RalphLambrecht said:
After using Topaz Photo AI for the first time, I was surprised to see how much apparent sharpness improves with noise reduction!

Indeed. Thanks for the tip. I have heard amazing things these programs perform. I will have to invest in a copy. Thank you

Your best opinion from experience. Best low light dslr. Not mirrorless.

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