What kind of noise is this? Help!

[sigler]

I just shot a series of pics with my 10D, 24-70L, ISO 200, 1/60th, f4.5, raw.

I converted with PS CS, and this is what I get...this is a 100% crop.

http://homepage.mac.com/rsigler/noise.jpg

This noise appears in all dark areas.

Yikes? What is this?

Thanks,

Rob
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[robertwgross]

Rob, help us out here a little. What are we looking for? Color noise?

Maybe in a 500x600 pixel image it does not show up much.

---Bob Gross---

[sigler]

Not color noise...see how almost pixelated the dark colors look? Is it just me? my monitor?

Thanks for your help.

[defordphoto]

A little noisy but not bad. Try converting with something else. People are reporting that PSCS converts noisier than anything else. That can be cleaned up with no problem. I wouldn't worry about it too much. What kind of monitor you using?

[sigler]

i'm on an lcd...laptop (apple g4)

[cgratti]

i'm on an lcd...laptop (apple g4)

The pic looks pretty good on my monitor, I cant really notice any pixelation in the dark areas... It looks a TAD noisy, but nothing I would even concern myself about if it were my photo....

[defordphoto]

i'm on an lcd...laptop (apple g4)

Aha! I thought you might be. LCD's suck for post-processing. Even the awesome Apple LCD's. This photo shows some noise, but it's nothing to worry about. Print out a sample and you'll see. That pixelization you're seeing is normal for LCD's. Consider getting a CRT monitor for photos.

[ChrisNardone]

A little noisy but not bad. Try converting with something else. People are reporting that PSCS converts noisier than anything else. That can be cleaned up with no problem. I wouldn't worry about it too much. What kind of monitor you using?

Is this true? I am using PSCS for conversion, what is everyone else using?

[PacAce]

I'm using an LCD monitor and your picture looks just fine to me, too. If you have an laptop, I suggest you attach a good monitor (CRT or LCD) to it instead of using the built-in one.

[ilya]

I see the noise quite easily, in the shadows/dark areas.

I noticed a bit more noise in PS CS conversion then the native FVU converter, or the embedded Jpegs without conversion. Its not a lot more, its just a little bit more. I have some pseudo-scientific testing here http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=138196&highlight=#138196

This is partially helped by setting the converter sharpening to zero. Outside of that, I try not to underexpose in poor light at ISO over 200. Failing that, noise reduction software / plugins do nicely.

Its odd though that at 200 you have that much. I looked at your exif, and it seems you had EC to -.5 stop. Presume then you cranked this up in conversion, maybe a full stop or more? Lots of exposure compensation in conversion will emphasize the noise.

Ilya