Freakshow (RX100 high ISO)

SONY DSC-RX100 (10.4mm, f/1.8, 1/100 sec, ISO640)

In the past I only took my iPhone or compacts to concert because usually it is not allowed to take picture or to shoot movies. This great concert was no different: No pictures and no recording of the event! But nobody seems to care about all the smart phones. People used their smartphones to shoot images and movies. I know that movies can be really impressive even in low light but I also know that the images you get when using your smartphones in low light are crap.

SONY DSC-RX100 (10.4mm, f/1.8, 1/100 sec, ISO400)
SONY DSC-RX100 (21.77mm, f/3.5, 1/100 sec, ISO1600)
SONY DSC-RX100 (10.4mm, f/1.8, 1/100 sec, ISO640)

But this time it was different. I brought my Sony RX100. The RX100 is compact enough that it will not cause any problems but image quality should be good enough to cover the event in an almost professional way.

SONY DSC-RX100 (10.4mm, f/1.8, 1/100 sec, ISO250)
SONY DSC-RX100 (10.4mm, f/1.8, 1/100 sec, ISO640)
SONY DSC-RX100 (10.4mm, f/1.8, 1/100 sec, ISO200)
SONY DSC-RX100 (11.89mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec, ISO1000)
SONY DSC-RX100 (11.89mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec, ISO800)

I have to admit that when I saw the ISO rising every time I zoomed in I started to worry about the results. ISO 2000, ISO 4000 or even ISO 6400 seemed just crazy to me for a compact camera. But it worked! Of course there is noise but there is still detail! (I shot everything in RAW) To avoid the focus assist lamp I shot everything with manual focus and used focus peeking combined with the loupe. It worked great. As well as auto exposure. I used a -1 stop compensation for all shots and that was perfect.

SONY DSC-RX100 (19.75mm, f/3.5, 1/100 sec, ISO4000)
SONY DSC-RX100 (33.2mm, f/4.5, 1/80 sec, ISO6400)
SONY DSC-RX100 (18.23mm, f/3.2, 1/80 sec, ISO4000)
SONY DSC-RX100 (16.01mm, f/3.2, 1/80 sec, ISO1000)

Here are my settings:

  • S-Mode: shutter speed set to 1/100s and later 1/80s
  • -1 stop exposure compensation
  • manual focus with focus peeking and loupe
  • Auto-ISO

SONY DSC-RX100 (10.4mm, f/1.8, 1/80 sec, ISO1000)
SONY DSC-RX100 (10.4mm, f/1.8, 1/80 sec, ISO640)
SONY DSC-RX100 (10.4mm, f/1.8, 1/80 sec, ISO1250)
SONY DSC-RX100 (10.4mm, f/1.8, 1/80 sec, ISO320)

How was the concert? In one word: Awesome! I expected a lot but it was even better. A wonderful band and true live performers. One of the best concerts I have ever seen.

SONY DSC-RX100 (10.4mm, f/1.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1000)