Take a look at this image, it is shot at iso 1600.
My question: Is the noise level in that shot acceptable? Will all my shots at iso 1600 display this much noise?

http://www.bboyhp.com/uploads/IMG_0177.JPG

Image is 4.3 Megs.

I will be looking to invest in a good noise reduction program since I anticipate taking quite a few indoor photos with not a lot of light to work with.

Thanks

 

Good question. I took some shots yesterday at 800 ISO and I noticed quite alot of noise. Now I have shot at 800 before and I didn't notice it much but somehow it seemed alot more this time. This is on the RAW file. The JPEG seemed pretty acceptable. I try not to shoot at 1600 so I don't know.

 

Make = Canon
Model = Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Orientation = top/left
X Resolution = 72
Y Resolution = 72
Resolution Unit = inch
Date Time = 2006-09-08 19:15:09

[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/20
F Number = F7.1
Exposure Program = Shutter priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 1600 In case anyone does't read the first post throughly
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2006-09-08 19:15:09
Date Time Digitized = 2006-09-08 19:15:09
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Shutter Speed Value = 4.32 TV
Aperture Value = 5.66 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Metering Mode = Pattern
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 47mm
Maker Note = 4876 Byte
User Comment =
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = sRGB
Exif Image Width = 3888
Exif Image Height = 2592
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Scene Capture Type = Normal

[Interoperability]
Interoperability Index = ExifR98
Interoperability Version = Version 1.0

[Thumbnail Info]
Compression = JPEG Compressed (Thumbnail)
X Resolution = 72
Y Resolution = 72
Resolution Unit = inch
JPEG Interchange Format = Offset: 6132
JPEG Interchange Format Length = Length: 6949


Since it is at ISO1600 as you stated, yes this is acceptable. Post some shots below ISO400 and we'll see how much noise you have.

 

Yes, that noise is very much acceptable. Try loading some ISO 1600 film into a film SLR and see what you get. You'll never ask about high ISO noise again.

Any free noise reduction program would clean up shots like yours nicely.

 

Is the noise reduction on Photoshop good enoough or is something like Noise Ninja do a better job at reducing noise?



BTW, great win yesterday. =)

 

i'm actually amazed at how little noise there is.
I find that with my old rebel If I set the white ballance and overexpose by a little bit (usually with a flash) it will make noise quite a bit less prominent.

Also I have used noise ninja, it is a great little program. I just wish I hadn't lost my lisence key. I do think noise ninja does a better job than anything i've found built into photoshop, but I may not know exactly what your talking about as i'm a total PS noob.

 

IMO, the dedicated noise reduction programs generally do a better job but only you can decide for yourself whether they're worth the time, effort, and possibly $'s to use. Noise Ninja and Neat Image are pretty much the two de-facto standards in this arena.

A comment on Badboy's shot: this particular image is probably the among the worst you may see at this ISO. Almost everything in the image is blocks of near uniform tonality. Areas like these tend to show off noise far more than things with patterns to them or more varying degrees of tonality. In other words, you've probably got a "worst case scenario" there Badboy.

 

I used Photoshop CS to clean up the pic a little better. As Billiam stated, it's about as bad of scenario as you can have.

http://www.brian-r.net/files/IMG_01771.jpg

 

It's ISO 1600, for crying out loud. You need to calm your expectations down.

Even without noise removal, Unless you print it out at an obnoxious size, It'll be just fine.

If you are viewing it at 100% resolution, think about what you are doing.
Think about how big the entire picture would be. 27" x 40" maybe?
And how close are you viewing it?

color noise is less obvious if you take a picture of something that actually has
color and color variation.

- Frank

 

I agree with some of your points...but I never said I was upset about the noise level. Just wanted to find out if that was the norm, which it is.

 

The noise looks very good.

To minimize the amount of noise in any high-ISO shot, shoot RAW and make sure you nail the exposure in the camera. Bumping the exposure in post processing will increase the amount of visible noise.

 

Okay, no problem. My post was a bit out of control, sorry.

Adding on a bit with some more comments:
1) Since shrinking helps reduce the noise (and increase detail in general), probably not a good idea to crop a high ISO image
2) Cranking up brightness later increases shadow noise.
Making it darker reduces shadow noise.
As a result, to shoot on the brighter side if you are worried about noise.

For an interesting demonstration of noise induced by this, check out this picture I made with my 20d:
http://www.wizardsworks.org/chod/20d/IMG_0071-lo.html

The picture was black, and shot at ISO 3200. I cranked up the brightness
by a factor of uhhh, 50x? And look what you get.


I'd love a full frame 6 meg camera that had crazy clean high ISOs. Too bad
that'll never happen.

 

I wish my nikon had that little noise at 1600 although I never shoot at more than like ISO800 so it doesnt really matter to me much.

 

What Billiam said holds water. Neat Image and Noise Image are free in their basic forms, if I'm not mistaken, and they are easy to use and since there's no cost, there's no risk Try 'em out. I use Neat Image and it works great.

The Niners are pointed in the right direction. Once they get that defense shored up, they'll be tough. Alex Smith is on his way to being a fine QB. He just needs a bit more seasoning. One, maybe two more years and all the pieces should be in place