Canon EOS RA: The Great ISO Debate - 12800 or Bust?

As astrophotographers, we're always chasing that perfect shot of the cosmos. We pore over exposures, fret about noise, and debate the merits of every setting. Today, we're tackling a particularly hot topic for Canon EOS RA users: the ISO setting.

The Holy Grail of ISO?

A common question I've been hearing (and grappling with myself!) revolves around the sweet spot for ISO on the Canon EOS RA, especially given the camera's 30-second exposure limit with Canon's own software. My friend, bless his enthusiastic heart, is championing ISO 12800 as the absolute pinnacle – the setting that "pulls the nebula out like magic." That's a bold claim, and one that sparks immediate curiosity!

The Conflicting Whispers of the Internet

However, the digital ether is a more divided place. Dive into forums and discussions, and you'll find a strong contingent advocating for much lower ISOs, typically around 800 or 1600. The usual refrain? "It depends on your setup," or "You need to test it yourself." While technically correct, this can be frustrating when you're eager to get shooting and your hard drive is already groaning under the weight of experimental data.

So, What's the Verdict?

This brings us to the core of the matter:

Is ISO 12800 actually viable for short exposures on the EOS RA, especially when shooting from a light-polluted area like Germany? Can such a high ISO truly capture detail without overwhelming the sensor with noise?
What is the actual sweet spot for the Canon EOS RA when it comes to astrophotography? Where does the balance between signal and noise truly lie?

Expert Insights:

Some valuable insights have emerged from the community. Data from sites like suggests that beyond a certain point (around ISO 5091), there's no improvement in noise performance, and dynamic range actually continues to decrease. This implies that while higher ISOs might seem beneficial, they can also limit the range of light your sensor can capture, potentially leading to clipped highlights or requiring even shorter exposures. The recommendation is that ISO 636 and above can offer good noise performance, but high ISOs with very short exposures might introduce more read noise per frame.

Furthermore, a Canon representative at a stellar photography class reportedly never advised going above ISO 3200. This anecdotal evidence adds another layer to the debate.

Your Turn to Shine!

This is where you, the seasoned stargazers and pixel-pushers, come in. Share your experiences! Do you have any "cursed ISO stories" – attempts at extreme ISOs that went spectacularly wrong? Or perhaps your own "divine nebula miracles" where a specific ISO setting unlocked hidden celestial wonders?

Let's light up this discussion and help each other capture the universe in all its glory, one correctly set ISO at a time!