It's probably time for me to pony up for a full-featured noise program; right now I use the NR reduction tools in LR and also have the free, community edition of noiseware, but it would be good to have a plugin and also to be able to use noise reduction selectively, ie layers (batch actions would be nice too, although not a dealbreaker). I use Photoshop CS3 and LR, so plugins would need to compatible with either and/or both of those

So, anybody have any preferences to one or another of the current versions of the programs, and if so... why? With current promotional prices they're all right around $50 for a home licence.

Noiseware
Noise Ninja
Topaz Denoise

Originally Posted by divamum It's probably time for me to pony up for a full-featured noise program; right now I use the NR reduction tools in LR and also have the free, community edition of noiseware, but it would be good to have a plugin and also to be able to use noise reduction selectively, ie layers (batch actions would be nice too, although not a dealbreaker). I use Photoshop CS3 and LR, so plugins would need to compatible with either and/or both of those So, anybody have any preferences to one or another of the current versions of the programs, and if so... why? With current promotional prices they're all right around $50 for a home licence. Noiseware Noise Ninja Topaz Denoise

I have used Topaz Denoise. It is excellent, but very slow. I find that LR3b2 covers all of my noise reduction needs quite well, and Denoise sits around (Mostly) unused.

I've also tried a limited version of Noise Ninja, (from Bibble 4), and the trial version of Noiseware.

I think my conclusion at the time was:
They all do a pretty good job.
Some do better on some images, and others do better on others.
Operator skill is often the deciding factor in NR quality.
At some point, qualitative differences become a matter of pixel-peeping.
Get the one with that's on sale for the most.

I am really digging LR3b2's noise reduction, though. I almost jumped ship to Aperture 3, but the NR quality has me rethinking that. That, and the lens corrections they announced.

If you want the best results and can tolerate the very significant processing time, Topaz Denoise is for you. Try it first to make sure the performance is acceptable to you.

MG - may I suggest you wait until you have a play with the noise reduction in LR 3. I've seen what it can do (a guy in our local photo club demonstrated it) and it's nothing short of wonderful. It kicks butt all over what is possible in LR2 and CS4. As to how it compares to current offerings by NN, et. al, I don't know.

Eeeeennnnteresting. Thanks all.

What's the deal with the LR3 beta? I have to admit, I have been SPOILED by being given legal, free, academic licence copies of Cs3 and LR, but I don't know if the more current versions of either will be offered to me through the same kind source, and.... well... they ain't cheap!

Does anybody know what the LR upgrade price might be likely to be?

And how is the LR3 beta 1. for stability and 2. for hardware requirements? I am definitely limited to my current computer hardware for a while..... :)

Originally Posted by divamum Eeeeennnnteresting. Thanks all. What's the deal with the LR3 beta? I have to admit, I have been SPOILED by being given legal, free, academic licence copies of Cs3 and LR, but I don't know if the more current versions of either will be offered to me through the same kind source, and.... well... they ain't cheap! Does anybody know what the LR upgrade price might be likely to be? And how is the LR3 beta 1. for stability and 2. for hardware requirements? I am definitely limited to my current computer hardware for a while..... :)

If you install LR 3b2 you will be able to use it until 6/30 IIRC. It will not interfere with your LR2 install or catalog. 3b2 is significantly more stable than 1 was. The upgrade from LR 1 to LR2 was $99. I'd expect the upgrade to 3 to be in that same ballpark once it is released.

Originally Posted by Scott_Quier MG - may I suggest you wait until you have a play with the noise reduction in LR 3. I've seen what it can do (a guy in our local photo club demonstrated it) and it's nothing short of wonderful. It kicks butt all over what is possible in LR2 and CS4.

I agree. I’m a big Noiseware fan but the new NR in 3 is pretty astounding and reduces the need for an external product, especially all those mentioned here that can’t process the data in the raw workflow which provides a great deal of speed, flexibility and quality.

Ok, so I caved and d'l'd the LR3 beta. Agree that the NR is pretty incredible. It still can't do it selectively, but other than that.... pretty darned impressive

I use "Neat Image" for all my images now. Extremely configurable but most of the time I take one "Auto-Profile" in a situation and then just apply the same noise signature across similar scenes. I use both the presets and my own custom profiled noise reduction.

It's available as a PS plugin or a standalone (single image and batch). (Pro+ version is both and 16 bit image capable.)

It worked well under Win XP, P4 processor, 2 GB RAM, but it flies under Windows 7, 32 bit, i5 processor, 4 GB RAM.

The demo version of NI does not do the product justice.

Originally Posted by divamum Ok, so I caved and d'l'd the LR3 beta. Agree that the NR is pretty incredible. It still can't do it selectively, but other than that.... pretty darned impressive

Diva,

One thing I picked up from the Adobe LR3 forum (I *think* it was a post from Jeff Schewe), is that the NR scales, to some extent. So a setting of "20" color NR will behave differently at ISO 200 than ISO 3200.

I hope I got that right.

I use Noiseware and really like its flexibility and user interface. However, I will be looking very closely at the new ACR noise reduction. If it is as good--or even almost as good, it might be worthwhile. Before I started using Noiseware, I had different NR defaults set up in ACR based on the ISO of the image, and if I can do that again--but with more sophisticated NR--I think it would save me some time. We'll see.

Noise Ninja for me, fantastic product!

Diva, I find Dfine 2.0 to be the best out there

Originally Posted by dlplumer Diva, I find Dfine 2.0 to be the best out there

It works very nicely in PS by adding it's own layer and mask and the choice of applying to the whole image or to brush on the effect...which gives you total control.

I reaaaallly like the Noiseware.
it is very very nice program.

Playing with the LR3 beta I have to say I'm increasingly impressed. I'm not sure it entirely alleviates the need for an external noise program, but the internal editor is impressive. Combined with the other new features (easy watermarking - AT LAST!!!) I may even consider buying the upgrade even if I don't get another academic copy for free . It looks to be an excellent update to an already fine program.

I just did a test using an older image taken with Nikon D70, 18-70mm kit lens; your basic "shoot-up-a-winding-staircase" inside at ISO 1600. Used NoiseNinja and Topaz DeNoise 4 in CS5 and the Topaz definitely gave the best results. No blocking and less detail loss. I had just updated the Topaz to v.4 so was interested in seeing the difference. I do agree, though, that it probebly depends on the individual image.

I have NN and just recently purchased Denoise 4
T.he nice thing about DN4 is that it uses a new algorithym which works selectively on noise with very little impact on details. Plus for very noisy images, there are additional sliders to re-enhance the details without adding noise. You should download the plugin free trial and try it. I never use NN now as panting out areas you don't want affected can be a pain. Plus there's a $30 discount till end of may using the discount code Intellinoise so price is $49.95. If you want to see a before and after PM me and I'll send you the links.

Originally Posted by dlplumer Diva, I find Dfine 2.0 to be the best out there

I just bought it. How do you get it to work with Aperture 3? Or do you?

I have it installed properly - but it is programmed for Aperture 2's bit-size, not 3?