Best Noise plugin for Lightroom

3by2 · 03-10-2019, 03:11 AM

Looking for some recommendations. It's mainly for use on slides and negs I'm digitising, so if there's something particularly aimed at that, that would be ace. Preferably something that doesn't break the bank too $50 ish.

MarkJerling · 03-10-2019, 04:01 AM

Here's a few options: Even a free one in there: Noise Removal Plug-Ins for Photoshop & Lightroom | Reinis Fischer

Paul the Sunman · 03-10-2019, 04:56 AM

What is unsuitable about the built-in NR in LR?

If it were me though, I'm not sure I'd want to alter the character of the slides/negs at all. I think I'd leave them as is.

3by2 · 03-10-2019, 04:59 AM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

What is unsuitable about the built-in NR in LR?

Good question and I should have qualified my opening post by asking if any did! I guess the trade off in all noise reduction is softness but it's quite possible that the question I should have asked is what are the best settings to use in Lightroom?

And yes, some I wouldn't change, especially B&W but some I do.

Paul the Sunman · 03-10-2019, 05:22 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 3by2

Good question and I should have qualified my opening post by asking if any did! I guess the trade off in all noise reduction is softness but it's quite possible that the question I should have asked is what are the best settings to use in Lightroom?

Ah, that's a different issue.

While holding down the option key (mac, not sure on pc), adjust the Luminence NR to your taste.
Adjust the Sharpening to 100-(Luminance NR)
Adjust Color NR to get rid of blotches (rarely needed; in fact you can often dial it back a bit from the default value).
Holding the Option key down again, adjust Masking to remove the noise introduced by the sharpening in smooth areas, but retain sharpness at edges. Experience and your personal taste will determine where that should sit.

3by2 · 03-10-2019, 06:46 AM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

Ah, that's a different issue.

While holding down the option key (mac, not sure on pc), adjust the Luminence NR to your taste.
Adjust the Sharpening to 100-(Luminance NR)
Adjust Color NR to get rid of blotches (rarely needed; in fact you can often dial it back a bit from the default value).
Holding the Option key down again, adjust Masking to remove the noise introduced by the sharpening in smooth areas, but retain sharpness at edges. Experience and your personal taste will determine where that should sit.

I think the Alt key does the same in Windows. OK, I'll try that. I do use the Lightroom noise reduction but my method is hit and miss.

**microlight** · 03-10-2019, 07:50 AM

I use the method outlined by Paul in ACR, and it’s very effective; you get noise reduction and sharpening in a single step. I generally find that masking between 95 and 100% works best for me.

Medex · 03-10-2019, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by 3by2

Good question and I should have qualified my opening post by asking if any did! I guess the trade off in all noise reduction is softness but it's quite possible that the question I should have asked is what are the best settings to use in Lightroom?

And yes, some I wouldn't change, especially B&W but some I do.

Leave noise as is, please

3by2 · 03-10-2019, 09:16 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Medex

Leave noise as is, please

Hah! Have I accidentally hit on one of those subject that sparks passionate debate?

In an awful lot of cases, more than I would wish, the exposure is more of a problem than noise and in the great scale of things noise is the least of my concerns. In the same way, noise reduction has minimal effect but just occasionally I find a shot I would like to use it on but I am by no means a purist.

Paul the Sunman · 03-10-2019, 11:39 AM

Originally posted by microlight

I generally find that masking between 95 and 100% works best for me.

I never go nearly that high. Masking at 100% totally undoes the sharpening. But this depends on taste, and the amount of noise in the original image (which depends on ISO). With the option key held down, I increase masking till large areas are mostly black, but still leave wisps of faint thread and plenty of distinct edges. But as I said, that's only my preference: I lean more to keeping sharp features than other people might.

MaineNative · 03-10-2019, 12:27 PM

I have used Noiseware for years and have been very happy, $80. I use it in Photoshop. It has a lot of presets that work well, or you can customize the settings. In Photoshop I can blend the original and noise reduction images to keep more detail but get the noise out of the sky and shadows.

Adam · 03-10-2019, 02:49 PM

Topaz Denoise is a great one IMO.

**Wingincamera** · 03-10-2019, 03:16 PM

I use LR for most of my processing, including noise reduction. I have downloaded most of the "try it out" programs of most of the noise reduction programs and found them no better than the one inside of LR. What I did for testing is make a copy of the image in LR, then process the original using LR and the copy image using the program I am trying out. I just stay with LR and un-install the others. Just my experience.

Bengan · 03-10-2019, 08:38 PM

+1 for Topaz Denoise

3by2 · 03-11-2019, 02:32 AM

Thanks for the recommendations, most offer a free trial, so I may try some. I'm also getting better results out of Lightroom noise reduction now, although I have been using it sparingly.

Scanning negs is reminding me of the processes of getting a well exposed and clean picture and the importance of exposure and development. Some of my histograms are just thin lines, no point in worrying about noise on them.

03-10-2019, 03:11 AM	#1
3by2 Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 819	Best Noise plugin for Lightroom Looking for some recommendations. It's mainly for use on slides and negs I'm digitising, so if there's something particularly aimed at that, that would be ace. Preferably something that doesn't break the bank too $50 ish.

03-10-2019, 05:22 AM - 1 Like	#5
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,846	Originally posted by 3by2 Good question and I should have qualified my opening post by asking if any did! I guess the trade off in all noise reduction is softness but it's quite possible that the question I should have asked is what are the best settings to use in Lightroom? Ah, that's a different issue. While holding down the option key (mac, not sure on pc), adjust the Luminence NR to your taste. Adjust the Sharpening to 100-(Luminance NR) Adjust Color NR to get rid of blotches (rarely needed; in fact you can often dial it back a bit from the default value). Holding the Option key down again, adjust Masking to remove the noise introduced by the sharpening in smooth areas, but retain sharpness at edges. Experience and your personal taste will determine where that should sit.

03-10-2019, 06:46 AM	#6
3by2 Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 819 Original Poster	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman Ah, that's a different issue. While holding down the option key (mac, not sure on pc), adjust the Luminence NR to your taste. Adjust the Sharpening to 100-(Luminance NR) Adjust Color NR to get rid of blotches (rarely needed; in fact you can often dial it back a bit from the default value). Holding the Option key down again, adjust Masking to remove the noise introduced by the sharpening in smooth areas, but retain sharpness at edges. Experience and your personal taste will determine where that should sit. I think the Alt key does the same in Windows. OK, I'll try that. I do use the Lightroom noise reduction but my method is hit and miss.

03-10-2019, 02:49 PM	#12
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Topaz Denoise is a great one IMO. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Focus-Point Lightroom plugin for Pentax: we need your help!	roguephysicist	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	31	09-19-2020 01:06 AM
Someone made a Lightroom plugin that shows you where the camera's focus point was	lithedreamer	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	6	05-28-2018 01:40 PM
Alternate solution to Lightroom plugin	richman	Pentax DSLR Discussion	1	04-09-2018 02:36 PM
LensTagger - Lightroom Plugin to add info on manual lenses	Just1MoreDave	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	4	06-04-2014 02:09 AM
New Lightroom plugin - Lightroom Analytics	jrafael	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	2	02-20-2014 05:25 PM

03-10-2019, 04:01 AM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,408	Here's a few options: Even a free one in there: Noise Removal Plug-Ins for Photoshop & Lightroom \| Reinis Fischer

03-10-2019, 04:56 AM	#3
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,846	What is unsuitable about the built-in NR in LR? If it were me though, I'm not sure I'd want to alter the character of the slides/negs at all. I think I'd leave them as is.

03-10-2019, 04:59 AM	#4
3by2 Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 819 Original Poster	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman What is unsuitable about the built-in NR in LR? Good question and I should have qualified my opening post by asking if any did! I guess the trade off in all noise reduction is softness but it's quite possible that the question I should have asked is what are the best settings to use in Lightroom? And yes, some I wouldn't change, especially B&W but some I do.

03-10-2019, 07:50 AM	#7
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	I use the method outlined by Paul in ACR, and it’s very effective; you get noise reduction and sharpening in a single step. I generally find that masking between 95 and 100% works best for me.

03-10-2019, 08:32 AM	#8
Medex Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vilnius Posts: 1,021	Originally posted by 3by2 Good question and I should have qualified my opening post by asking if any did! I guess the trade off in all noise reduction is softness but it's quite possible that the question I should have asked is what are the best settings to use in Lightroom? And yes, some I wouldn't change, especially B&W but some I do. Leave noise as is, please

03-10-2019, 09:16 AM - 1 Like	#9
3by2 Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 819 Original Poster	Originally posted by Medex Leave noise as is, please Hah! Have I accidentally hit on one of those subject that sparks passionate debate? In an awful lot of cases, more than I would wish, the exposure is more of a problem than noise and in the great scale of things noise is the least of my concerns. In the same way, noise reduction has minimal effect but just occasionally I find a shot I would like to use it on but I am by no means a purist.

03-10-2019, 11:39 AM	#10
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,846	Originally posted by microlight I generally find that masking between 95 and 100% works best for me. I never go nearly that high. Masking at 100% totally undoes the sharpening. But this depends on taste, and the amount of noise in the original image (which depends on ISO). With the option key held down, I increase masking till large areas are mostly black, but still leave wisps of faint thread and plenty of distinct edges. But as I said, that's only my preference: I lean more to keeping sharp features than other people might.

03-10-2019, 12:27 PM	#11
MaineNative Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 280	I have used Noiseware for years and have been very happy, $80. I use it in Photoshop. It has a lot of presets that work well, or you can customize the settings. In Photoshop I can blend the original and noise reduction images to keep more detail but get the noise out of the sky and shadows.

03-10-2019, 03:16 PM	#13
Wingincamera Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pine Haven, Wyoming Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,182	I use LR for most of my processing, including noise reduction. I have downloaded most of the "try it out" programs of most of the noise reduction programs and found them no better than the one inside of LR. What I did for testing is make a copy of the image in LR, then process the original using LR and the copy image using the program I am trying out. I just stay with LR and un-install the others. Just my experience.

03-10-2019, 08:38 PM	#14
Bengan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,756	+1 for Topaz Denoise

03-11-2019, 02:32 AM	#15
3by2 Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 819 Original Poster	Thanks for the recommendations, most offer a free trial, so I may try some. I'm also getting better results out of Lightroom noise reduction now, although I have been using it sparingly. Scanning negs is reminding me of the processes of getting a well exposed and clean picture and the importance of exposure and development. Some of my histograms are just thin lines, no point in worrying about noise on them.