5 Replies Latest reply: May 6, 2012 5:29 PM by areohbee RSS

    Noise at ISO 800

    grandpahenry Community Member

      I am using a Canon 5D Mark II using Canon "L" series lenses and noticed that I am getting noise at ISO 800.  I frequently have to photograph under very low light conditions and expect to find noise but not at 800.

       

      The curious thing is that when I using the luminence correct say at 50 the noise is, of course, considerably reduced.  But there seems to be a curious result.  I find that along with noise reduction the facial features are softened almost appearing the way the professionals get with portraits.  I have even noticed some sking condition improvement. 

       

      Can anyone explain this,

       

      Henry

        • 1. Re: Noise at ISO 800
          Lee Jay Community Member

          Noise reduction is, by default, set to zero which is "off".

           

          Try setting L-NR to 20-40 and detail to 80-90.

          • 2. Re: Noise at ISO 800
            dj_paige Community Member

            I am not surprised you see noise at ISO 800 in low light. I'd be surprised if you didn't see noise in those conditions.

            • 3. Re: Noise at ISO 800
              areohbee Community Member

              There is noise at *all* ISOs.

               

              Camer mfr software and in-camera jpegs *always* have both noise reduction and (some kind of compensating) sharpening applied. - Lightroom has neither, when zero'd.

               

              Lum. NR=50 I consider *very* strong. Too much for most photos - that's my opinion. Definitely will see skin smoothing/de-clarifying at that magnitude.

               

              As Lee Jay noted, uping the lum. NR detail is good unless you really want things "clean".

               

              I suggest Lum.NR of 10-20 for a portrait shot at ISO 800, and sharpening with lowered detail setting (e.g. 0-20).

               

              Cheers,

              Rob

              • 4. Re: Noise at ISO 800
                grandpahenry Community Member

                I apologize for not being clear.  In this instance I was shooting under very reasonable lighting – not low light.  When I shoot in low light I usually use either 1600 or 3200 and expect noise and I use LR to fix it to the best degree achievable.

                 

                 

                 

                I was a bit surprised at finding noise at 800 in pretty good lighting but more surprised by the result of setting the correction in luminance at 50, getting excellent noise removal, but getting a somewhat improved portrait like look to the faces in the photos I was shooting.

                 

                 

                 

                Henry

                • 5. Re: Noise at ISO 800
                  areohbee Community Member

                  As I said, there will be noise at *all* ISOs in LIghtroom, unless you apply a little NR.

                   

                  Some people use Lum. NR as a skin conditioner, either globally or locally applied, often along with -clarity.

                   

                  Me? I prefer a grittier look, but hey - to each their own, right?

                   

                  Cheers,

                  Rob