Noise - How to reduce it?

[Stu_Y]

Since buying the 4'D I have done my best to get used to LR after using RSP on my MKIIN Raw files. Can you please give me some input into how to get the same result that RSP gives regarding noise.

Both the 4'D and MKIIN give great results at 4'' iso which to me does not need any noise reduction adding. When doing a side by side comparison between LR and RSP the latter is so much better. I'm talking about 3/4 tone and shadow detail, mostly noticable on flat colours.

How can I get the same result in LR? as I still use RSP for MKIIN file and LR for 4'D and I would like to standardise my workflow.

Stu

 

[William Porter]

Stu,

My sense is that noise reduction is better in Lightroom 2 (still beta) than in Lightroom 1.x, but even in 2, it's not on a par with, say, Noise Ninja. I use Lightroom's noise reduction when it does the job. But if the shot really needs some sophisticated noise filtering, I export full-sized image to Noise Ninja and finish up there.

Will

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Personally I use a droplet on export to run all high ISO images through Noise Ninja. Lightroom's noise reduction works fine on low ISO, but I prefer a more specialised tool for more extensive noise. That said, perhaps you can show us some examples?

 

[Braders]

I have found the NR since 1.2 to ok.

Interesting post by Lee Jay, one of RSP staunchest advocates, and LR alpha tester, regarding noise in both.

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/webfor...readid=135'462&highlight_key=y&keyword1=noise

 

[DonRicklin]

Lee Jay is by no means an 'alpha tester'. He knows of what he speaks, however.

Don

 

[Braders]

oops, my bad. always thought he was.

 

[Brad Snyder]

Brad,

I had seen that thread. I have to agree with your sentiments:

1) There're very few people as familiar with both LR and RSP as Lee Jay.
2) As big an RSP fan as he was/is, his positive experience with LR is encouraging. He does a lot of research and comparison work and makes a tremendous contribution to the community.

On the other topic, there's some guy on the Beta forum (forget his name), who has frequently mentioned his 'beta tester' status. Other than that, I've never seen references to/from testers, (except broad hints from some influential authors/bloggers). Adobe must have a pretty strong non-disclosure agreement. With the LR2 release, at this point, we're all beta testers. :shock:

 

[Victoria Bampton]

On the other topic, there's some guy on the Beta forum (forget his name), who has frequently mentioned his 'beta tester' status. ... Adobe must have a pretty strong non-disclosure agreement.

I'm betting he got his hand slapped for that one! :shock:

 

[Stu_Y]

Sorry for the late reply, been a bit busy...

I will try and post a sample tonight. But I do not call 4'' iso high, and when using RSP would only use noise reduction on 8'' and above when converting a correctly exposed image.

Thanks

Stu

 

[Brad Snyder]

Stu, a quick question, how are you judging the correction?

Prints? On-screen? I assume you're aware, but it's worth mentioning just in case, that LR doesn't display noise reduction in on-screen rendering at zooms less than 1:1.

 

[Stu_Y]

All comparisons are done at 1:1

Here is the image that first got me looking deeper into the two programs. As I said earlier, I have been using RSP and MKIIN Raw files for the last two years and only ever apply any noise reduction on iso ratings of 8'' and above.

These two files are straight default conversions, no sharpening in either, brought into CS2 and cropped.

Lightroom.

RSP

I do like LR and use it on my G5 at work, and out of all the progs I've tried on my 4'D files I like it the most.

 

[Stu_Y]

Another comparison not with RSP but DPP, LR and CS2, showing why I like LR.

DPP Crop

Lightroom Crop

CS2 Crop

the results here show the most natural colour to be LR.

I've just posted these to show the difference between the 3 which staggered me really.

Nothing to do with my noise tests...

Stu

 

[Brad Snyder]

Except, I don't know if you noticed, all three of the MG photos are mirror-imaged, clearly the driver's on the wrong side ....:cheesy:

RE: the noise, I agree, I see the RSP as marginally better, but displayed in my non-color managed Opera browser, I can't say that it really makes a difference to me. I really had to look hard.

RE: the colors, I like the LR rendition best too. As far as fidelity, only you were there to judge the original colors against. I would comment, note the "M" bumpersticker in the LR rendition vs. the DPP rendition. This is exhibiting the orangey red problem that Canon LR/ACR users have been complaining about for some time. It also shows to some extent in the CS2 shot, which I assume you imported via ACR?