[WPRESTO]

Helpful post about sharpening Walter! What about noise reduction? At least for me, noise becomes an even more significant issue in the 4/3 context. I used to use Topaz Denoise and was very happy but I hit one of those %&#*[#@ hardware/software/photo system incompatibility bumps so I'm looking for a new solution. What do you use?


Of course everyone is welcome to take a crack at this.

Topaz Sharpen AI also has a noise reducing slider, set by default at 50 (scale to 100, as is typical). I have regularly pushed to sharpening slider from its default @ 50 to 70, on image files taken up to ISO1600, and never felt there was any reason to move the noise reducing slider. I'll see if I can post an example on this thread.

[WPRESTO]

First demonstration set. Pana G9, Oly 300mm f4 + 1.4X, ISO 400

1) OOC original
2) Crop with no PP
3) same crop processed in Topaz Sharpen AI using the Stabilize mode set to 100 (maximum) and noise reduction @ 50 (default) - no other PP applied

[WPRESTO]

Second example of Topaz Sharpen AI. Pana GX8 + Pana 50~200mm f2.8~4 @200mm, ISO 1600 braced with a monopod.

1) OOC original
2) crop after applying TS AI in Sharpen mode set at 100 (maximum), noise reduction @ default 50
3) crop after applying TS AI in stabilize mode set at 100 (maximum), noise reduction @ default 50
4) crop after applying TS AI in Focus mode set at 100 (maximum, noise reduction @ default 50

In this set I would select the one processed in "Focus" mode as being most satisfactory, although if you look at the bill of the foremost gosling, it looks best in in the image done in the Stabilize mode. However, the feathers in that version look too processed and "odd" for my taste. I see no need for greater noise reduction for any of the three images here, even at maximum application of the adjustment slider on an image taken at ISO1600.

[dadipentak]

Second example of Topaz Sharpen AI. Pana GX8 + Pana 50~200mm f2.8~4 @200mm, ISO 1600 braced with a monopod.

1) OOC original
2) crop after applying TS AI in Sharpen mode set at 100 (maximum), noise reduction @ default 50
3) crop after applying TS AI in stabilize mode set at 100 (maximum), noise reduction @ default 50
4) crop after applying TS AI in Focus mode set at 100 (maximum, noise reduction @ default 50

In this set I would select the one processed in "Focus" mode as being most satisfactory, although if you look at the bill of the foremost gosling, it looks best in in the done in the Stabilize mode. However, the feathers in that version look too processed and "odd" for my taste. I see no need for greater noise reduction for any of the three images here, even at maximum application of the adjustment slider on an image taken at ISO1600.

Thanks--this is very helpful. I'll do some research & testing.

[selfnoise]

Forget Me Nots, reliable spring visitor around these parts.

[aaacb]

[aaacb]

at 400mm, slight crop

[WPRESTO]

Baltimore Oriole, female. Pany G9 & Oly 300mm f4 + 1.4X TC

[aaacb]

[WPRESTO]

Towhee, male, or more fully a rufous-sided towhee

[aaacb]

g95 and 100-400

[WPRESTO]

Luna Park, .

[DamienW]

Trying out my Oly 45mm 1.8 on an old Panasonic GH1 body I picked up.

[WPRESTO]

Oly EM10-II, 200mm f2.8 Pana + 1.4X TC, monopod for stabilization. Despite long FL (280mm actual, 560mm FF equivalent FOV) a relatively deep crop was needed to make this an image of a bird with blurred background, rather than a demonstration of bokeh with a blue speck for accent.

[aaacb]

i cropped the second one at almost 100%

both with g95 and 100-400