Noise Reduction Software

[Michael]

What noise reduction software does everyone use? are they worth the money and where do they fit into the workflow?

[kiwi]

Tried them all, settled on Nik Dfine.

Before I had the D3, , I would process in LR, load a photo into CS3 run Dfine plug-in and save it back again.

All pretty painless and easy and does generally a very good auto job on noise.

[ricktas]

I used to use Neat Image (and still do at times), but now use Nik Dfine as well.

[Miaow]

I have neat image but i havent really used it much - I tend to use the despeckle noise reduction thing in PhotoImpact mainly

[Michael]

Thanks guys,
Can I guess that the Nik Dfine is for Nikon's or am I totally off the mark? seems logical enough as both Rick & Darren have Nikon's.
Have looked at both Neat Image & Noise Ninja at this point but am open to suggestions.
They all seem to do a fair job of cleaning the image from what I have seen, although some do appear a little soft after this process, I gather the degree of softening is controllable? too much noise reduction equals increased softening?

[kiwi]

Nik Dfine is not owned by Nikon.

http://www.niksoftware.com/dfine/usa/entry.php

Any NR loses some detail. Though if you sharpen after doing NR it's not so bad.

You can download trial versions of them all

Whatever PP software you have will probably have some NR part too.

Don't worry too much about a little noise, it may not show too much when photos are printed or may even enhance some photos.

[Michael]

Thanks Darren,

Just had a look , appears to be quite user friendly, I like the idea of being able to use the brush tool to selectively apply the reduction where you want.

In hindsight probably a silly thought that it was for Nikon files, just thought it was funny that the first 2 replies were form Nikon owners and the software was Nik.

[bigbikes]

I used to use Neat image as well but then changed over to Noiseware Pro which is a great little plug in for ps, best part about it, its free.

[Michael]

Thanks Peter will have a look at that as well.

[kiwi]

Free ? Looks to be costing here:

http://www.imagenomic.com/nwpg.aspx

[Brett101]

This is a semi loaded question, but interested to know.

Do any of these mainstream Noise reduction allow noise reduction by color.
ie, reduce noise in only the Blue in a picture, such as the sky.



Thanks
Brett

[paulgh]

Do any of these mainstream Noise reduction allow noise reduction by color.
ie, reduce noise in only the Blue in a picture, such as the sky.

Noiseware Pro does that. Not sure about the free version.

Cheers
Paul

[dbax]

I use Noiseware Pro, very happy, don't use it much know with the canon

[bigbikes]

Darren.
Im not sure what site i got it from as I have had it for a while now, but I know i didnt pay for it. If i remember correctly it was a site that had heaps of free plugins for ps.