Saturday 4 February 2017 High ISO heroes Which APS-C and full-frame cameras perform the best in poor light? All-new Passionate about photography since 1884 BUYING GUIDE COMPLETE GUIDE 550 cameras & lenses listed ISO & rated and How to get pictures as good as this at high ISO Get great low light images and keep noise right down ● What ISO and when ● Best noise removers ● Settings of the pros Digital ISO demystified Fujifilm Where noise comes from first look and how it relates to X-T20 mirrorless & sensor size & resolution X100F compact The high ISO king? We see how Nikon’s D5 copes with ice-hockey boot camp Ice on the black sand beach at Jökulsárlón.raw ON THE ICE BEACH IT’S A DARK, SOMBRE WINTER’S DAY. The grey cloud is low, and the rain is steady, but the muted light is just perfect for the subject matter all around me, namely waves lapping around the artfully sculpted blocks of ice on the black sand. Now I’ve seen many images of this unique combination before – it’s an Icelandic photographic staple – but there’s no resisting the appeal of such stark, elemental beauty. In fact it’s a beauty that is enhanced by the flat lighting, a cold scene of black and blue with simple graphic appeal. But as so often is the case here in Iceland the conditions are difficult: apart from the rain, salty spray is being driven inshore off the waves and onto my increasingly crusty camera, lens and filter. So be it, such adversity is now familiar. I want to express enough movement in the breaking waves to create graphic icy streaks against the black sand, but not so much it just becomes a milky mess. The Little Stopper filter enables me to use shutter speeds measured in seconds, which experimentation suggests is about right. Such rational analysis is of course all well and good, but every wave ensures every frame is different. I’m engrossed, revelling in the joy of photography, and hopeful perceptive art is being created. If so it’s Mother Nature’s work. LEE Little Stopper LEE Filter Holder Canon 5D mkIII, David Noton 24-70mm lens @ 44mm, www.davidnoton.com 4 secs @ f16, ISO 100 Tel: (01264) 3385 www.leefilters.com 7days A week in photography Noise – along with softness, issue as ISO performance improves every year, it’s the bane of the modern and it can be removed fairly easily in software. photographer’s life, as we can This issue is about ISO and noise, giving you now all gaze at our images in the knowledge and practical skills you need to COVER PICTURE © EDMOND TERAKOPIAN EDMOND COVER PICTURE © excruciating detail on-screen. enjoy the many benefits of higher ISOs, while In this issue As the light-sensitivity settings of today’s dealing with noise as and when it arises. We 8 Fujifilm X-T20 cameras get higher and higher, is noise just an also reveal the best performing cameras at and X100F inevitable price we have to pay, like bigger higher ISOs, and the best noise-removal tools. Michael Topham takes waistlines after Christmas? Well, yes and no. And finally, don’t miss our all-new buyers’ a first look at the X-T20, While it’s true that excessive noise can cripple guide on pages 55-66. while Andy Westlake gets an otherwise strong image, it’s less and less of an Geoff Harris, deputy editor hands-on with the X100F 12 Complete guide JOIN US amateurphotographer. Facebook.com/Amateur. flickr.com/groups/ amateurphotographer to noise ONLINE co.uk photographer.magazine amateurphotographer @AP_Magazine magazine Noise is the downside of ever greater low-light ONLINE PICTURE OF THE WEEK sensitivity, says Tim Daly, so it’s essential to know how to minimise its effects 21 Digital ISO vs film ISO Andy Westlake explains what the ISO setting on your camera really does 28 Working with ISO and noise Geoff Harris looks at the issues of noise at high ISO sensitivities, while two photographers explain how they deal with such IMAGES MAY BE USED FOR PROMOTION PURPOSES ONLINE AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA conditions 34 Noise-reduction software on test James Abbott tests five noise-reduction software packages, from free software to dedicated programs 42 The king of noise Steve Davey sees how the © AMAR SOOD mighty Nikon D5 copes with low light and more Snowfall by Amar Sood on two demanding trips Fujifilm X-T2, 50-140mm, 1/400sec at f/2.8, ISO 800 This wintry image was uploaded to was to use an abstract technique: 55 Buying guide our Twitter feed by Amar Sood. ‘As multiple exposures. I wanted to Each week we choose our favourite *PLEASE ALLOW UP TO 28 DAYS FOR DELIVERY Our new monthly camera a keen photographer, I was excited freeze the falling snow in mid-air Win! picture on Facebook, Instagram, and lens buying guide, by the forecast of snow,’ says Amar. against a backdrop of green Flickr, Twitter or the reader gallery using where we list the key ‘I planned my location and prepped shrubbery. I knew the white and #appicoftheweek. PermaJet proudly supports specs of interchangeable- my gear. Unfortunately, we only green colours would make for an the online picture of the week winner, who will lens cameras and lenses received 45 minutes of light appealing image. The second receive a top-quality print of their image on the currently on the market snowfall. Determined that all my exposure was then slightly offset finest PermaJet paper*. It is important to bring prep would not be in vain, I set out from the first to rid the image of any images to life outside the digital sphere, so we Regulars to capture the scene in front of me. I uniformity, as I wanted to emphasise encourage everyone to get printing today! Visit 3 7 days decided the best way to convey it the randomness of snowfall.’ www.permajet.com to learn more. 24 Inbox 38 Reader Portfolio Send us your pictures If you’d like to see your work published in Amateur Photographer, here’s how to send us your images: 40 Evening class Email Email a selection of low-res images (up to 5MB of attachments in total) to [email protected]. 49 Tech Support CD/DVD Send us a disc of high-resolution JPEG, TIFF or PSD images (at least 2480 pixels along its longest length), with a contact sheet, to the address on page 25. 82 Final Analysis Via our online communities Post your pictures into our Flickr group, Facebook page, Twitter feed, or the gallery on our website. See details above. Transparencies/prints Well-packaged prints or slides (without glass mounts) should be sent by Special Delivery, with a return SAE, to the address on page 25. NEWS ROUND-UP The week in brief, edited by Liam Cliff ord Fujifi lm launches Professional Service Scheme To coincide with the release of its medium-format GFX 50S camera in March, Fujifilm has confirmed the launch of a European camera service, which it says is dedicated to the needs of professional photographers. For repairs and services, it promises a maximum turnaround time of 15 days. The service will cost £260 per year. Venetian-inspired Lomo’Instant The latest Lomo’Instant camera offering, the Murano, is inspired by the canals of Venice, and features a multi-coloured design. The Murano is available from the Lomo’Instant website or at Lomography stores for £105 in a package that includes the camera, three lens attachments and a set of coloured gel filters. Visit shop. lomography. com. European Wildlife Photographer of the Year © AUDUN RIKARDSEN AUDUN © Open to all photographers residing in Europe, the 2017 GDT European Wildlife POTY is now receiving entries. In addition to a prize pool of €25,000, the winning photographs will also be presented to the public for the first time in a high-profile exhibition touring across Europe at the tail end of the year. Visit www.gdtfoto.de. Three new NanGuang Fresnel lights Kenro has announced three new continuous LED lights in its NanGuang Fresnel range, the CN-60F, CN-100F and CN-200F. KIRSTEN© QUIST Built for the studio, they are not strictly ‘spot’ lights as they WEEKEND PROJECT do not feature a clear lens – instead, Fresnel lights are Visit the beach after a more often used for top and The seaside storm: starfish, jellyfish, back lighting. Priced from 1 and colourful seaweed £528-£1,620. Visit www.kenro.co.uk. are often washed up. Also, out of season explore rockpools at low tide Empty beaches, rough seas, Victorian architecture for subject matter. If you own Calumet Open Day competition and brooding skies – there’s plenty to photograph an underwater housing, you can Organised by Calumet Photographic, along Britain’s coastline during winter. The Coastal really immerse yourself! the Open Day competition is Fragments series by Trevor Crone (www. searching for ‘unique, creative and themiragegroup.co.uk) is a fi ne example. He has spent captivating’ pictures on the theme more than a decade capturing what he describes as Surfers and other of ‘Capture More’. People can vote the ‘gentle melancholy and nostalgia’ of our resorts. watersports enthusiasts for their favourite shot, which will When planning a trip, check both weather forecast 2 are often out in be used on all invitations and and tide timetables. Take care to protect equipment inclement weather, so head promotional material for Calumet’s from sea spray, and walking boots are a must. Once out early and observe their Spring Capture More Open Days.