topic Re: Low Light Landscape Photography in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Low Light Landscape Photography

Kisola1975 — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 04:10:50 GMT

What camera would work best for low light landscape photos? I’m currently shooting a 5D MII and need an upgrade.
Thanks
K

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

Tronhard — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 07:25:17 GMT

@Kisola1975 wrote:
What camera would work best for low light landscape photos? I’m currently shooting a 5D MII and need an upgrade.
Thanks
K

I started working as a landscape, travel and wildlife photographer about 40 years ago, so I hope I have some experience to draw upon in my opinion.

Personally, without inquiring further into what you produce - particulaly in terms of image size, I would recommend the Canon EOS R6. The sensors on the new crop of MILCs are really excellent for low-light work. Now, the R5 has more pixels at 45MP, but reviews, and my own experience. is that the R6's 20MP has about 1 EV, better performance. I have both units and they are excellent.

I would suggest watching THIS review by Gordon Laing.

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

Waddizzle — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 11:33:05 GMT

@Kisola1975 wrote:
What camera would work best for low light landscape photos? I’m currently shooting a 5D MII and need an upgrade.
Thanks
K

A tripod just might be your best investment. You can shoot everything at ISO 100.

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

ebiggs1 — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 15:00:22 GMT

"A tripod just might be your best investment." ... and the camera you have should do the job nicely.

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

ebiggs1 — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 15:03:29 GMT

If you just have to have that new camera, I understand, personally I would go for the 5D Mk IV. I know all the world is switching to mirrorless but I am not there .........yet! Going to the 5D4 you wil be right at home with it. All your lenses will work as is, too.

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

kvbarkley — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 15:06:28 GMT

https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/00-new-today.htm

Check out the hand held low light shots here.

Note, that this is a living page and the images will eventually scroll down the page.

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

shadowsports — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 16:19:05 GMT

Greetings,

Tripod for low light landscapes absolutely. Also yes, keep your current EF lenses too... These last few years have been a little tough. CMOS performance / techology has been greatly improved. We know now there won't be a 5D5 and that DSLRs are done.

5D3 is 10 yrs old (yes time for an upgrade)

A 5D4 is about 6 yrs now.

I'm in a similar position, but have a newer body. Getting a new mirrorless body is tempting, but like others, the compromises that have come along with the first 3 gens have been enough to disuade me. With no other options, I'd probably buy an R6. To ebiggs1 point.. even though the 5D4's technology is becoming dated now, its still one of the best performing body's ever made. Right now you could go either direction for only a couple of hundred dollars.

The refurb store has got some super affordable good deals:

Canon Refurbished EOS Interchangeable Cameras | Canon Online Store

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

Kisola1975 — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 16:29:26 GMT

Note. My 5D MII broke so this is less about having to have the newest technology and more about narrowing down my choices. I primarily shoot sunsets and print big. Thanks

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

ebiggs1 — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 17:37:07 GMT

5D Mk IV and a tripod! That is the best solution, IMHO, of course.

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

shadowsports — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:09:13 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
5D Mk IV and a tripod! That is the best solution, IMHO, of course.

+1 on ebiggs1 recommendation.

If you print big<< Then the 5D4 wins over the R6.

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

Tronhard — Fri, 26 Nov 2021 22:45:48 GMT

I have the EOS 5DMkIII, IV, DsR and the R5 and R6 units. I still shoot with all of them and I would be the last to say that they are not all great cameras. However, the question, as I understand it, is what should one invest in if seeking to make a long-term purchase for landscape that will provide high-quality prints, work with existing optics but be able to take advantage of future developments in optics (since this is a long-term thing).

Without doubt, using a tripod is a habit I would expect experienced landscape photographers to embrace, so I didn't press that one. One can STILL get good images from any of the above units. However, it is clear that the new generation of sensors from the latest generation of MILCs is superior to the old ones and there are other benefits as well. That is why I provided the link to the review so that the OP could make up their own mind based on documented testing and not just our opinions: which I think is the best service we can render.

There are other benefits to going to the R-series. The legacy EF lenses will work perfectly fine with the new bodies, via the Canon EF-RF lens adapters, however it is clear that the new line-up of superior optics is going to be in the RF lens catalogue, so embracing the R-mount is an investment in the future as well as securing the past.

I am not sure about my esteemed colleagues, I am speaking from extensive use and testing of these bodies with different lenses (see my profile for my rather extensive gear list) so I am speaking form personal experience as well as relying on unbiased reviews. For further ones I recommend checking out Dustin Abbott's You Tube reviews of the R bodies and lenses.

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

Tronhard — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 22:02:58 GMT

@shadowsports wrote:
@ebiggs1 wrote:
5D Mk IV and a tripod! That is the best solution, IMHO, of course.
+1 on ebiggs1 recommendation.

If you print big<< Then the 5D4 wins over the R6.

(added to previous post, but in case you missed it)

I have the EOS 5DMkIII, IV, DsR and the R5 and R6 units. I still shoot with all of them and I would be the last to say that they are not all great cameras. However, the question, as I understand it, is what should one invest in if seeking to make a long-term purchase for landscape that will provide high-quality prints, work with existing lenses but be able to take advantage of future developments in optics (since this is a long-term thing).

If the intent is to produce large, high-resolution images, the R5 at 45MP will beat the 5DIV at 30MP, the only higher alternative in the DSLR line is the 5Ds or 5DsR at 52MP. Great camera, but older technology and the DR is not a competitor to the new sensor in the R5. The sensor in the R6 is essentially the same as that in the 1DXMkIII, which was Canon's flagship DSLR until their new MILCs came along.

There is an article on the R5 specifically on landscape use HERE

Dustin Abbott definitive review of the Canon EOS R5 HERE

Dustin Abbott definitive review of the Canon EOS R6 HERE

However, landscape photography is not simply reliant on the camera sensor, it is highly dependent on the quality of the lenses. If the intent is to use this camera for some time, then being able to take advantage of the new, extremely high-quality RF lenses becomes a significant factor. One can mount legacy EF on the RF bodies but not RF on EF. RF lenses are where Canon is investing its R&D, and we have seen no new EF lenses for a couple of years.

Personally, I also appreciate the ability to use the tilt and rotate features of the screens of the R-series bodies. Great for when one is having to go low or high.

ADDITIONAL Link:
A comparison with image evaluations between the EOS 5DsR, R and R5, being all high resolution sensors. HERE

Dynamic Range is another critical element in landscape imagery, and the following is an evaluation of that in the the Canon EOS R5 HERE

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

Bella8Corey — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 12:55:14 GMT

I personally use this camera! EOS 5D Mark IV EF 24-105mm f / 4L IS II USM Lens Kit and they suit me perfectly! And then there are many opinions here and here! And even the best answer is here! But this is my point of view!

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

Tronhard — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 19:19:00 GMT

@Bella8Corey wrote:
I personally use this camera! EOS 5D Mark IV EF 24-105mm f / 4L IS II USM Lens Kit and they suit me perfectly! And then there are many opinions here and there! And even the best answer is here! But this is my point of view!

Good to get your feedback. Can you please explain the context in which you use your camera and lens? e.g. what do you photograph, and what do you produce in terms of type and size of output.

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

Bella8Corey — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 19:22:40 GMT

I can't explain, I just like this camera and it's very convenient)))))

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

Kisola1975 — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 19:23:28 GMT

Lowlight wide-angle landscapes. Sunsets and valleys. Very large prints.

Thanks

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

Tronhard — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 19:29:26 GMT

@Bella8Corey wrote:
I can't explain, I just like this camera and it's very convenient)))))

For someone seeking advice, it is critical that any recommendation be specifically targeted to their situation.

That is why, if you look at my posts, I clearly state the premise for my recommendations and my experience in providing such to make sure the person seeking advice can establish the relevance of the advice for their needs. One of the biggest traps a person seeking advice is to buy something that suits someone else's needs and not their own.

In this case, as I understand it, it is a low-light landscape photographer who wants large, high-quality prints and who is not likely to want to change their camera frequently. This implies a large sensor with great dynamic range, a pretty large pixel count and the ability to add new lenses as required.

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

Tronhard — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 19:37:11 GMT

HERE is a link to a document I created for those seeking to get (or give) advice on the purchase of camera equipment.

I think it covers most of the questions that need to be addressed, but in particular is the issue of the camera as a system (as mentioned). If one is going to have a camera body as a long-term investment, it is important to consider the potential to be able to add new optics as they become available. It is for that reason, in particular, that I have recommended the R mount in this case, as the EF mount seems to have reached a development dead end.

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

ebiggs1 — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 14:28:30 GMT

"@Bella8Corey wrote:

I can't explain, I just like this camera and it's very convenient)))))"

Most likely explanation is, it is, and will always be, a great camera.

Re: Low Light Landscape Photography

Waddizzle — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 14:59:24 GMT

@Kisola1975 wrote:
What camera would work best for low light landscape photos? I’m currently shooting a 5D MII and need an upgrade.
Thanks
K

If you are not going mirrorless, this is the only Canon DSLR that I would be for landscape photography

Pair that with a good tripod with a great head, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II/II USM, and you will be set for years to come.