I'm trying this whole no-flash thing.. got my f/1.8 which is nice... but I have a Nikon. Oh, I love my Nikon, but we all know the bane of Nikon, that being ISO & Noise. I shot on tuesday at ISO 800 and there was noise. It kind of worked in some photos, but not in others. Here is an example of one I kind of like (yes, I know it's not very crisp):
But Generally I don't like noise, so I'm not sure what to do. I mean if the venues have fantastic lighting I might get lucky with a slow-ish shutter speed since I have the f/1.8. I had it, as I mentioned in a different forum, on aperture priority, and sometimes it was giving a shutter speed of 1/800 or something, so I MIGHT get a few at 400 ISO if I go fully manual and set it around 1/160, but I don't know. I guess my question is, aside from a new camera, is there anything I can do to reduce noise? I can't afford a new camera and I LOVE Nikon and don't want to have to switch to Canon, but ISO 400 doesn't cut it unless you can use flash, and that doesn't happen often in this business!
Noise Reduction...
You can purchase software online which reduces noise. I use "Neat Image" which you can download as a plug-in for Photoshop (Mac or PC) and it comes up under the "filter" menu once you've installed. I did the free trial version which applies the filter to one corner of your image to see the effects. I was sold right away for how well it worked and it's ease of use. Some people also swear by "Noise Ninja" which I've never researched. Google booth and see what you think. I consider Neat Image a must have.
I bought it some time ago and don't remember the cost but think it was in the ball park of $100.00
Good Luck.
Thanks so much! I'm going to
Thanks so much! I'm going to give that a try. I'd much rather spend 100 bucks than 1500 on the new camera I'd like to get when I'm rich lol.
The trouble is...
when you use noise reduction software it often come with a price.... it usually will soften your images and no amount of sharpening can help.
Daniel Knighton
Pixel Perfect Images
(760)730-3224/(858)335-4540 cell
Carlsbad, CA
www.PixelPerfectImages.net
www.MySpace.com/PixelPerfectImages
I haven't had any problems with softening...
If you tweak the sliders just right (with Neat Image) you can eliminate most (if not all) without softening. Pixel Perfect, have you used Neat Image?
No...
but I have used Noise Ninja and CS3. Both soften the image. Maybe I'll give it a try.
Daniel Knighton
Pixel Perfect Images
(760)730-3224/(858)335-4540 cell
Carlsbad, CA
www.PixelPerfectImages.net
www.MySpace.com/PixelPerfectImages
Noise reduction softens .. always
All noise reduction softens the image. Mathematically there is no other way to do it. Some noise reduction software includes some sharpening to counteract the softening introduced by the noise reduction. You can tune the balance of level of noise reduction and sharpening to result in the cleanest, sharpest image possible, but there will be softening to some degree. That is a fact that cannot be disputed.
Walter Rowe - Rowe Images
Professional Photographer
Columbia, Maryland - USA
That..
...was my thought too, but I was hoping the previous posts knew something I didn't! Dangit..... got my hopes up and all.
Daniel Knighton
Pixel Perfect Images
(760)730-3224/(858)335-4540 cell
Carlsbad, CA
www.PixelPerfectImages.net
www.MySpace.com/PixelPerfectImages