I've been thinking about the evolution of cameras and lens, particularly in relation to the rapidly improving high ISO capability of the modern DSLR.

Not too long ago, anything over ISO 200/400 was going to give you a grainy result.

To combat this, lens builders gave us bigger apertures in our lens, and when this was done with a telephoto lens, it resulted in some monstrous contraptions.

With most manufacturers now offering bodies that handle ISO1600 and higher, with little, or nil discernible noise, will there still be a pressing need for the 50mm/f1.4 or the 500mm/f2.8?

If technology has picked up four or five 'f' stops, in camera, will it not follow that the need for big aperture lens is over?

Or am I missing something in the exposure equation?

Cheers

Kevin