Which version of Noise NInja - 8 bit or 16 bit?

Sorry if this has been answered before.:o

Despite a search of these forums I can only find lots of posts and tutorials confirming how useful Noise Ninja is and how to use it in a workflow.

None seem to explain which version a relative beginner like me might need - the Home version (8 bit) or the Pro version (16 bit). I have a EOS 350D and wish to take musical performance shots without flash in low light at the maximum ISO of 1600 then work on the RAW images to get as good a result as I can. I have RAW Shooter Essentials, Paint Shop Pro X and Photoshop Elements 2.0.

My budget is limited but I could stretch to buying the Pro version of NN if it is necessary. Is it?

I think you'd be fine with the home version. Personally I have the whole big package, but I don't bother to use it - you lose detail and for regular size prints even ISO3200 is fine. Maybe if you read the manual (I didn't) and only did NR on the dark areas that'd be better than doing general NR.

I started with the Home version just to test the program. I did against many other programs and NN definately was easier and better results. If your only making 8 bit images....use the home version....when you move to 16 bit....just upgrade.......I did awhile ago....don

I started with the home version and then upgraded to the pro version for the batch processing capability. If you're planning on taking large bunches of shots at high ISO, then batch processing will save you hours of time.

The cost to upgrade is identical to the difference between the price of the home vs. pro versions, so there's no risk if you start with the home version and upgrade later.

Mike, if you're shooting RAW, that's a 16-bit image (well, actually 12, but it's what's called 16-bit). If you're making your own prints on a printer capable of using 16-bit color, you should use NN 16-bit. If you shoot RAW but drop to 8-bit color in photoshop while pp to make the file smaller and more manageable, then you should just buy the home version. And if you're shooting JPEG, the pro version of NN is overkill. JPEG is a format limited to 8-bit.

Thank for all the helpful replies, guys. I'm a lot clearer now.