New to Sony A9 - Question about noise

[Swarup Patra]

I recently purchased a Sony A9 and took some pictures at a reasonably low ISO (640). I noticed some grainy-ness at 100% crop specifically in the background. Both pictures taken using a Sony 200-600 lens at 6.3 and 640 ISO. I would like to get some opinions what might be driving this:

1. This is typical

2. This is due to some settings I have that need to be changed that I'm not aware of

3. This is an issue with my particular camera

Raw files saved here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lfbgxewtjamha2p/AADUsNd8Y360kdjHq910YTIsa?dl=0

 

[thebeardedgroundsman]

Hi

I am no expert, but have looked at quite a bit at info on-line and in books. I have not been fortunate enough to use the Sony 200-600 (G?) lens but do have a cheaper Sigma 170-500mm and an old Minolta 500mm reflex. I use an Alpha 99 body.

I know ISO performance is getting better and better but I still consider ISO 640 as quite high, so I would expect more graininess than you have - I only really noticed it from your samples when I zoomed in on your samples.

Graininess (or noise can be improved with most post production software - which I assume you are using as you are shooting in RAW.

As I generally print at A3 size, I try to use an ISO of 400 or lower, but sometimes go higher in low light or with fast moving subjects, and accept that there will be some degradation.

Your lens is a quality zoom lens, but at these lengths in particular I think you are always going to look at a trade off between convenience and quality. Quality seems to be better in prime lenses especially at longer lengths, but from looking at your samples I would be very happy with your set up.

[thebeardedgroundsman]

PS to last posting

I have since found out from Mark Galer (a Sony ambassador) that the latest Alpha cameras do have an ISO sweet spot, which is 640 - as you were using.

I guess we are always learning! (my cameras are somewhat old in comparison)

[Russ]

Hi, Same here moved over from Canon 7DMKII and was supprised how much noise I am getting from my A9 & 200-600mm but in saying that it is way better than the Canon 7D MKII, I do use topaz denoise AI and find that very very good, plenty of videos on youtube to get the best from the software.

Russ.