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Forums · Digital Imaging

Noise reduction software??

Discussion

10 replies
Posted by Steve Sieren on January 17, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Anyone have a favorite noise reductions software that they prefer to use?

Thanks for any suggestions.
Posted by Keith Bauer on January 17, 2009 at 7:24 PM
I downloaded the trial versions of 3 different packages. I ended up buying Nik Dfine2 and have been very happy with it.
Posted by Ed Cordes on January 17, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Noise Ninja, Neat Image and Nick Define are the standard programs. I believe they will all do the job well. Keith is correct that you need to work with the interface to see what you like best. FWIW, I went with Noise Ninja a few years ago and like it, especially because of the ability to brush out the noise reduction effect selectively so I don't lose detail in important areas.
Posted by John Mumaw on January 17, 2009 at 9:16 PM
FWIW, I went with Noise Ninja a few years ago and like it, especially because of the ability to brush out the noise reduction effect selectively so I don't lose detail in important areas.

This is exactly why I chose Noise Ninja. I very, very rarely apply noise reduction globally.
Like most Nik products, I thought that Dfine was overpriced.
Lots of folks highly recommend Imagenomics' Noiseware.
Posted by Mark Kraus on January 17, 2009 at 10:24 PM
I have been using Imagenomics' Noiseware for about a year and I think it works great. Good price and easy to use.
Mark Kraus
Posted by Keith Bauer on January 17, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Nik Dfine is $69 from b&h. Not overpriced in my book. As with nearly all noise reduction Dfine allows selective noise reduction.
Posted by John Mumaw on January 17, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Nik Dfine is $69 from b&h. Not overpriced in my book.

Hmmm...shows $90 at B&H with $4.50 shipping. :confused:
Posted by David Taylor on January 18, 2009 at 12:11 AM
I use Noise Ninja and have been happy with it. Many people mention being able to selectively brush away noise reduction in areas that don't need it. Just as another option, you can always do that within Photoshop, more easily if the noise reduction program you are using has a PS plugin. Just duplicate the background layer, run your noise reduction software of choice on the top layer, then add a layer mask to that top layer and use the mask to reveal the areas that you don't want the noise reduction applied to from the layer below. Simple, infinitely adjustable (especially if you vary your opacity with your mouse, or ideally with a wacom pen using pressure) and you can always go back and alter it if you don't flatten your layers. Hope this helps!
:toast:
Posted by Nat Coalson on January 18, 2009 at 12:57 AM
I like Noiseware the best.
Posted by Wim Reyns on January 18, 2009 at 8:23 AM
I use Nik Dfine2 and find that it gives me the best results with the least amount of trouble, I've also used Noiseware in the past, but i find that it can be a bit too agressive at times, so make sure you use a good layer mask then.

Also there is the excelent free for non commercial use NeatImage

Wim
Posted by Rosemarie Arbur on January 19, 2009 at 4:25 AM
I've recently revisited my noise-removal applications, and with great difficulty decided that Noiseware was just a bit better than Neat Image. Then I added the "Digital Camera Noise Removal" tool in my Paint Shop Pro (v.10) to the mix, and guess what?

I think it comes down to what you used first plus which interface suits you best.