fixing high iso

[snapper27]

hi, i was surprised that people shoot high iso so much...i never go over 800 because it looks so grainy ( i have a 20d)

what is the simplest way for me to reduce the noise???

i have ps cs2, but do not want to buy a special noise reducing program if i can avoid it... thanks

[Skrim17]

Community Noiseware is a stand alone free utility for noise reduction.

[blackshadow]

The best way to reduce noise at High ISO is to nail your exposure properly.

If you need noise reduction software the industry leaders are Noise Ninja and Noiseware. I have Noise Ninja but rarely use it these days.

[bacchanal]

The Noiseware community version is probably your best option if you're looking for something for free. Just remember that you have to be really careful about killing detail when you use noise reduction. In concert photography especially, noise is often quite acceptable.

[90c4]

The last few versions of DPP has pretty effective noise reduction, and it's free.

[René Damkot]

what is the simplest way for me to reduce the noise???
Expose well.
Look at a print instead of at a 100% crop. Seriously.

[Metalphotographer]

As others have said proper exposure is the key. Like you I use the 20d and have no hesitation to use ISO 1600. At most of the shows I go to it's my only hope. I don't use noisee reduction software either, I don't like the detail loss :)

[Chris1le]

I use 3200 on my 20D without a second thought. Properly exposed I rarely use noise reduction either.

[abqXT]

I got good results with ISO 1600 on a 20D.

[Dermit]

One of things camera manufacturers are improving on a lot with each new model is the noise level in high ISO. This has become the next big race since the Megapixel race is dying down. So when you see newer model cameras shooting at high ISO it is not the same thing as your 20D at the same ISO. The newer ones will be cleaner.

That being said I've got an image I shot with my D60 (older than your 20D or even the 10D) at ISO3200 that won a print merit in judged competition. It looks great as a 16x20 as well. Like others have stated here, you gotta nail the exposure. Even a little bit under can mean the difference of usable, or not.

[bacchanal]

One of things camera manufacturers are improving on a lot with each new model is the noise level in high ISO. This has become the next big race since the Megapixel race is dying down. So when you see newer model cameras shooting at high ISO it is not the same thing as your 20D at the same ISO. The newer ones will be cleaner.

Well I wouldn't say that is necessarily true, but it is in some cases. The difference between the 20D and the 50D is really pretty marginal.

[Dermit]

Well I wouldn't say that is necessarily true, but it is in some cases. The difference between the 20D and the 50D is really pretty marginal.

Well I only mention the different IQ between different cameras at the same ISO because some people jump to the conclusion that same ISO means same noise across the board which was fairly true in film days, but less true with digital. I can't speak for the delta of the noise manifestation in high ISO of the 20D and 50D as I never owned either. But the difference between the 60D and the 5D, which I do own both, it's like night and day. ISO 800 on the D60 is nearly unusable. ISO 3200 on the 5D has helped me produce award winning images as well as making money on images I would otherwise not have even shot.

I wonder also if the improvement is so marginal then how can the new Canon 5D MarkII even offer ISO 25,600? I mean ISO 3200 on my 5D can get me decent images, but it is on the edge. If the noise improvements are really that marginal between newer models and older ones then even ISO 6400 would be pushing the limits of what should even be available.