Canon 20D iso 1600: has my camera gotten worse about noise?

[arthur]

It might be imagination, but I think my camera may be performing worse at iso 1600 in low-light conditions than it used to. More noise, multicolor pixelation. Maybe it's the same, and I'm not just pushing the camera more than I used to. Plus, I really don't shoot all that much (8000 shots on this body since 2005).

This is using the same lens, a 50mm 1.4.

Has anyone heard of this happening? If not, I'm figuring it's just my imagination.

[groovyone]

Maybe it is just that the newer cameras keep getting better and better, so it makes yours seem worse.

[Patti Edens]

Maybe it is due to an increase in hot pixels. They can increase over time. You can tell by shooting a dark frame under the same conditions as your photo. Just put the lens cap on and make sure light isn't getting in through the viewfinder (hold your hand over it or use some foil. Then "expose" for the same amount of time at the same ISO, aperture, etc. - everything the same. Look to see if there are a lot of pinpoint colored "spots" on the dark frame. If so, you can just stack the two in photoshop with the dark frame on top and change the blend mode of the dark frame to difference. It will subtract out the "spots". But, I don't think you would confuse hot pixels with noise, so not sure if that's it or not.

I always shoot a dark frame when I am doing night photography at long exposures for star trails. It works nicely.

[picman]

Higher temperatures can also increase noise.

[Mask]

Noise always increases when shooting near airports, busy intersections, train stations, rock concerts, etc.
Post a few examples of recent and past ...

[Abel]

Originally Posted by groovyone

Maybe it is just that the newer cameras keep getting better and better, so it makes yours seem worse.

this would be my guess too.. i recall when i shot with a 20d i would cringe when having to shoot it at 800iso..

Originally Posted by Mask

Post a few examples of recent and past ...

this is prolly the best way to see.. compare recent shots with those older ones shot at the same ISO

[JohnT]

You just need to upgrade to a really nice, pre-owned 5D classic. I happen to know someone who has one for sale.

[toverman]

I felt comfortable with my 20D at ISO 800, but anything above that and I'd get noise and hot pixels and lumpy oatmeal and all that. Don't upgrade if you don't want to, because it's an incredible workhorse of a camera that turned a major corner for Canon and digital SLRs in general.

Or don't shoot in the dark!