Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
02-28-2021, 01:10 PM   #1
Forum Member




Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 57
Sensor noise on K3?

Hello everybody,

I have recently noticed that using my K3 I get a lot of noise on 100% crop. Would like to check with you if this is just me or is it normal for this camera to act like this? Haven't noticed before, but maybe I just haven't played with crop as frequently. These are few snapshots I took from 100% crop. ISO is only 100, no digital post-production was made. I understand there might be some digital noise, but isn't it this a bit too much for a 100% crop on K-3 ii? Would appreciate your insights.

Attached Images
       
02-28-2021, 02:02 PM - 1 Like   #2
Ole
Administrator
Ole's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 4,407
It looks normal to me. A modest amount of smooth noise evenly distributed. One won't notice it at a normal magnification.
02-28-2021, 02:40 PM - 1 Like   #3
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
c.a.m's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 4,171
QuoteOriginally posted by Kiparisas Quote
I understand there might be some digital noise, but isn't it this a bit too much for a 100% crop on K-3 ii? Would appreciate your insights.
Hi,

My understanding is that digital noise is fairly common in blue skies and possibly in other areas of uniform colour. It might be due to the RGB Bayer filter configuration, in which only 25% of the photosites are filtered to blue. The demosaicing approach also affects the quality of the blue areas.

Coincidentally, I was just processing a couple of my images that have significant areas of bright blue sky. At ISO values of 100 and 200, I noticed speckles similar to your images. A modest, light-handed noise-reduction approach cleaned it up nicely.

The RAW developer app that I use -- RawTherapee -- has a one-touch setting to 'reduce artifacts in blue sky', which works okay but can introduce artifacts elsewhere. I use a combination of noise reduction and contrast control to manage low-ISO noise.

I shoot with a K-3 II, and have also noticed some 'blue-sky speckles' in my earlier K-5 II images, although to a lesser degree.

- Craig
02-28-2021, 04:18 PM   #4
Forum Member




Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 57
Original Poster
Thank you for clearing this up! I have always wondered why sometimes the noise is not too evident, whereas at times it's very noticible, as in these cases!

03-01-2021, 10:46 AM   #5
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
MossyRocks's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Minnesota
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 2,978
Looks normal to me. Those areas are kind of dark so that may be part of it too, so maybe throw some more exposure at the image. I get some noise like that in darker uniform sections of images as well and adding a bit more exposure helps out with clearing it up but avoid clipping highlights, or even getting things piled up near the edge.

The noise removal features in RawTherapee can do a great job of cleaning that up if it really bugs you or you need a real clean image. Also playing with the wavelet contrast and contrast by level sliders can also do wonders for cleaning it up in RawTherapee.
04-18-2021, 08:06 AM - 1 Like   #6
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter




Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Boston
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 275
That kind of noise is fairly easy to deal with in photo editors, and not unusual in flat areas of color. It shouldn't be a concern on prints or when viewing photos at less than 100%.
04-19-2021, 02:54 AM   #7
Forum Member




Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 57
Original Poster
Thank you guys for your insights. I have noticed such noise is more evident when photos are taken in the low light conditions.

Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
crop, dslr, k-3, k-3 iii, k3, noise, pentax k-3, sensor noise
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
noise when there shouldn't be noise Tandrew Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 23 03-09-2016 05:41 PM
Noise and other noise sandilands Pentax DSLR Discussion 20 09-27-2014 07:29 AM
K-5 noise even with ISO 200 (was: K-5 IIs noise) lunany Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 9 12-28-2013 06:54 PM
Noise...noise..do I need software? ejbpesca Photographic Technique 15 04-07-2011 03:39 PM
k20d IR + sensor noise slaw0710 Pentax DSLR Discussion 6 08-19-2009 02:57 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:46 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top