Hello,

I would like to know your opinioins rergarding what you all consider the best noise reduction and sharpening software and use on a regular basis. i am aware of nik and neat image/ noise ninja , would like some actual user feedback. Appreciate the help !!!

Try to avoid using noise reductions software, as it tends to ruin the textures in the image
Lars :-)

I agree!!. I have Noise Ninja and almost never use it because it softens the image too much. Now I will say that I know if I am any kind of expert in how to use it. Some really like it...

Thank you Lars and Clyde. But what does one do for high ISO pics, mine D200 get bad beyond 800.

If necesary " Dfine 2.0. " is a good choice. You can save the edges.... ..and take care with ISO ;)
Good luck, Groucho

Yeah, I have the D90 and same story. I usually don't shot above 800. I don't usually need higher than that anyway.

Seriously? I have the opposite problem..mine get get too sharp using Noise Ninja.
If you are using the proper profiles for your camera (available at their website it should not soften your shots)... If you want to do a test let me know. I will get the profiles for your camera and try a shot of yours to see what happens. There are so many instructions with the product..but I only use the quick methods. Send me an OE mail if you want to try it.

I have heard but I don't know if it is true..that the Nik Multimedia sharpener is the best..but it is expensive.

Phyllis
Happy New Year!

Thank you Groucho and Phyllis. If you don't mind my asking, what sharpening tool do you use Phyllis. I am fairly new to this hobby and haven't optimized my digital workflow. Your actual experiences are valuable. thanks again.

Only Photoshop..I don't have any of the others. I vary with USM, Smart Sharpen. Often it is selective. Others here have noted they sharpen in camera, which I have never tried. I notice that if I use a good lens, and have enough light I don't usually have to sharpen at all. It is when I use a slower lens that I have more difficulties because I rarely use a tripod. :) Nik Multimedia offers a sharpening program too - but again I found it too expensive.
Happy New Year!
Phyllis

Happy New year to all !!!!!!!. Thank you Phyllis.

Phyllis try to work with high pass,it is very effective,because I have Nik Sharpener Pro and I don't like it very much!!Happy New Year!!

I tested N. Ninja and Dfine, think Ninja if very good if you handle it right, Dfine is better in case you perfer it as easy as possible -
But mostly I'm on ISO 100 so happily don't need them :)

I have Noise Ninja. Not using it a lot, but it does a good job. I use to run it on auto, then back off about 30% on what it comes up with, and I turn off sharpening. I use High Pass in Photoshop more and more for sharpening. Sometimes it does a much better job than usm

I actually sometimes add noise on prints.

Has I had an lot of noise problems with the Nikon D70 from 400 iso:-((
Before, I had the plug-ins, I changed the image into LAB colors and used a blur filter on the 2 channels A en B.

Later used "Noise Ninja", had an action to reduce noise, "Neat image" and "Define 2", in my idea Define 2 is better.

To sharpen an image: > copy background layer > Filter > Other > High Pass on level 2 till 3 > change the blending mode in: 1 "overlay" or 2 "Soft light", and if you want it stronger on blending mode 3 "hard light", or still stronger 4 "Vivid light"
Afterwards you can reduce the density of the layer till you are satisfied.

There are till other ways f.e. with "Nik Coloreffex pro" and "Fractal print pro 5"... and of course with Russel Brown tips
http://www.russellbrown.com/tips_tech.html

I hope, I have been of any help!!

Thanks Lucian..I have used that too..and it is good. I am glad to hear you opinion on Nik sharpener Pro because the reviews are so wonderful and I am always tempted to buy it..but it always seems too expensive! :) So you saved me money. Thanks.
Ben..liked reading your methods too! Thanks.
Phyllis

Thank You Ben for all the know how and the detailed steps,I will surely try this method once I learn Photoshop. I use NX2 with High pass. Lars and Robert , appreciate your take on noise. Call it astonishing bad luck, every trip worthy of Landscape photography I took this year met with cloudy rainy weather, needing a ISO push up. I don't think landscape looks good with grain, but thats just me. The D700 just got that much more appealing !!!

Thank you Sven, Looks like Dfine is coming ahead, Noise Ninja getting mixed reviews here.

Thanks All and Happy New Year !!!!!!!!

... or the use of a Tripod?
Lars :-)

Ansel and Edward and many others would disagree!! I can understand your opinion and you said it's just you.

I know Lars, if my kids will let me , these are combined vacations.

You are right Clyde , but the pics on this site, which by the way sets a very high standard are flawless, even the night and early am ones, probably tripods !!!!!!

Shot earlier this evening w/ Nikon D90, tripod, 3 shot bracket 0, -1 +1, jpeg's blended in PS with simple layer masks. No CC, no crop. No sharpening or noise reduction:

http://www.clydebeamer.com/2010/01/new-year-sunset/

I like the sound of this 'Tripod' you talk about. Who makes this software. . . ? ;-)))))

I use Photoshop to sharpen with, usually a combination of High Pass and Smart Sharpen. Sharpening the high pass layer itself is a subtle way of adding extra sharpness. The amount depends on the final output.

Digital noise does look bad, but then film grain looked bad to people years ago, now it's a point of honour and an aesthetic plus point of film. As for high ISO, yes, i want a D700 too! My D90 is OK but I think you need to be extra extra careful not to underexpose when shooting at high ISO levels. Maybe digital noise will become pleasing to look at to future photographers. . . I'm trying to like it, but not succeeding so far. Pushed xpan or whatever just looks so cool!

Jon

Dfine 2.0 has worked surprisingly well for me on the 7d. Definitely a worthwhile buy. I use it mainly (to some extent) when shooting iso1600. On the 50d (I used to have) on the other hand, I never found any noise reduction that worked without killing the good stuff. So what I have learnt, is that it is very camera dependant.

Thank you Lars and Jon. Looks like The Best way to avoid noise is low ISO with tripod depending on the light available.

Thanks for sharing the picture Clyde, you have an awesome site.