Iso max for a good image quality, sony a7 mark i

[Alforno]

Hello folks,

I'm contacting you for some information.

What max level of ISO for a good image quality do you recommend?I've got a Sony A7 i full frame device. 

[Pieter]

Try it and you'll know it. Acceptability of image quality is very subjective. It's a tradeoff between ISO noise, motion blur, flash lighting and/or just accepting that you can't take the shot given the circumstances.

That being said, personally I'd try to stay below 6400 and just accept to not take the shot if that's insufficient. But then again, I'm just a hobbyist so not taking the shot is a viable option for me.

[Cameratose]

As stated, it's subjective. However, a good AI de-noising program can make a huge difference. I shoot at ISO 20,000 quite a bit when I have to get the shot, and use DXO to clean them up. I wouldn't be able to do that without DXO, even using a standard method of denoise in a software program. It's probably the best money you can spend after your processing software.

On my cameras I don't need to denoise from ISO 3200 and below under normal circumstances. I don't know how the A7 responds. 

Lastly, bear in mind noise has much to do with the original exposure. Over-exposing and pulling it back in post can make a positive difference. You may see this written as ETTR, or "Expose To The Right", which means to push the meter in the viewfinder to the + (or right) side.  

As Pieter said, some of these things are best done by trial and error. One man's set up may not be the same as the next. Do some testing in low light and see what works best for you.

[tadwil]

All of the things I have read about A7 and A7II, indicated neither of theses models were any good at low light situation.  And all of the reviews I have read about A7III said it was significantly better than it's predecessors in high ISO photography.