Use of Noiseware (or similar)

[LoungeLizard]

I have a question for those of you who use Noiseware (or similar noise reduction software.) Do you sharpen the image before or after appying noise reduction?

[MyKey]

I use Noiseware and I find it all depends on the image if I sharpen the image afterwards. I know that does not answer the question directly but again I normally try it with the image if I feel it might be needed and see if I like the results or not. Also since I got the 20D and MarkII the noise is so much less that I can normally get away with a lot more without having to use the noise reducing software.

[LoungeLizard]

Originally Posted by MyKey

I use Noiseware and I find it all depends on the image if I sharpen the image afterwards. I know that does not answer the question directly but again I normally try it with the image if I feel it might be needed and see if I like the results or not. Also since I got the 20D and MarkII the noise is so much less that I can normally get away with a lot more without having to use the noise reducing software.

Thanks...I was curious as I was trying to make these photos "presentable". They're OK at 4x6, but I don't think they'd stand up to 8x10. These were shot from my seat at the Rodeo, 75-300IS, hand-held, at ISO1600 (with a DRebel - can't afford the 20D yet!)



I know part of the problem is the lens speed costing me several stops, but I'd welcome any ideas on how to do this better (besides getting credentials and standing in the dirt!)

[MyKey]

Download the free version of Noisware Community and process the images, you can only do one at a time but it works GREAT!

I think the image looks good here on the net!

[LoungeLizard]

Originally Posted by MyKey

Download the free version of Noisware Community and process the images, you can only do one at a time but it works GREAT!

I think the image looks good here on the net!

I've got the full version and used it on this. I guess my problem is that it went from a grainy photo to a slightly "blurry" photo (as if looking through slightliy foggy glass). I was looking for suggestions/recommendations on how to best utilize it for shots such as this.

Thanks for the complement on the pic. Like I said, it looks pretty good at up to 5x7, but beyond that, I don't think it would work.

I am looking into faster lenses, but budget didn't allow it to start with.

[Jim Victory]

I always sharpen after using noise reduction software. I also only remove half the noise so the detail is not effected.

What your describing about your pics indicates that you have removed some of the detail with the noise. If your software allows it try only removing half of the noise.

[Hogleg 44]

Is anyone using the "Helicon Filter" noise removal program?

http://www.heliconfilter.com/pages/

I have a very old free version of this, but it has evolved into a much more impressive program. I just downloaded a 30 day trial version of the latest release, and am pretty impressed with it's output.
It will even do raw conversions now, and allow noise removal and sharpening in the process. I compared it with a "Bibble" conversion on an ISO 3200 shot I took Saturday, and it looked just about as good as the Bibble conversion. It really smoothed the noise as compared to a straight DPP conversion of the same picture.

Any of you guys using this? It seems a bit easier to use than Neat Image.

[swanny338]

personally, I use NeatImage when needed... I rarely use it, and when I do its normally for sports photos for yearbook or newspaper so its just a couple images... But I shoot like 4 games a week of indoor and outdoor sports, I havnt bought neatimage... yet

[michaelbates]

Originally Posted by Hogleg 44

Is anyone using the "Helicon Filter" noise removal program?

http://www.heliconfilter.com/pages/

I have a very old free version of this, but it has evolved into a much more impressive program. I just downloaded a 30 day trial version of the latest release, and am pretty impressed with it's output.
It will even do raw conversions now, and allow noise removal and sharpening in the process. I compared it with a "Bibble" conversion on an ISO 3200 shot I took Saturday, and it looked just about as good as the Bibble conversion. It really smoothed the noise as compared to a straight DPP conversion of the same picture.

Any of you guys using this? It seems a bit easier to use than Neat Image.

I use the Helicon program and love it... I do not sharpen until the very last step in my post-processing...which includes after using any noise reduction.

Michael