Best noise reduction software out there?

I have read a lot of posts/threads about noise reduction and was wondering which software (Noise Ninja, Bibble, Greycstoration, DPP, etc.) does the best job in reducing noise in RAW?

I hope this opens a lively debate.

thanks, much appreciated.

do a search and youll get a plethora of threads with the same debate, my vote goes to neat image, i think it does a better job than noise ninja

I like Neat Image, but never tried it in RAW. Works great especially for batch work, but not having to use it all is even better!

i am specifically looking for RAW nr improvements. i thought noise ninja only processes pp images (i.e. .tiff or .jpg).

coreypolis wrote in post #2832549
I like Neat Image, but never tried it in RAW. Works great especially for batch work, but not having to use it all is even better!

coreypolis, good to see your name pop up...i remember your help w/ 300 f2.8 issues. thanks again,

thescottandrew and coreypolis--do you use RAW converter in CS2?

bsmith6280 wrote in post #2832644
thescottandrew and coreypolis--do you use RAW converter in CS2?

I use Lightroom for Raw conversion. If noise reduction is needed, it'll be my last step (maybe other than sharpening) and it'll be in Neat Image.

On a seperate but related note, I found Picasa2's ability to read RAW files and apply its auto defaults (no adjustments available) resulted in amazing noise reduction, whether on purpose or not.

only from experience, I use noise ninja. I've become pretty adept at using it and not going overboard. When I first started using it.....all I can say is that I've seen dolls look less glossy. What I'd like to see are a few of the same images, each edited only for noise with each available noise reducer.

noise ninja

I have run the tests on ISO 3200 images and although there isn't alot of difference between it and some of the PS noise reduction filters, it is better.

I do suggest that once you run the noise ninja software, run the despeckle filter on your photo and it will clean up really nice.

canoflan wrote in post #2832828
noise ninja

I have run the tests on ISO 3200 images and although there isn't alot of difference between it and some of the PS noise reduction filters, it is better.

I do suggest that once you run the noise ninja software, run the despeckle filter on your photo and it will clean up really nice.

but does noise ninja work on RAW images?

My vote goes to Neat Image here as well.

Noiseware

I second noiseware, it rids the noise without softening the picture like noise ninja.

bsmith6280 wrote in post #2832902
but does noise ninja work on RAW images?

Noise Ninja (NN) is a PS plugin, therefore, when you open a RAW image from the Adobe Camera RAW converter, you can then apply the NN filter. I see where you are going; you probably wish you could apply it before all the adjustments in RAW. Well, I have learned a work flow to use the color noise filter in RAW, but leave luminance alone, then apply only a luminance filter from PS, or NN. The color noise filter from RAW is probably the best out there for you only have to move the slider to around 10 to remove the noise from a properly exposed image. If you have to really boost the exposure slider and, thereby, boost noise in the darker areas, you will naturally have to boost the color noise slider more and suffer the consequences of a higher luminance noise removal level.

That is why it is so imporant to get high noise pictures well exposed in camera before the RAW converter, etc.... This well supported throughout this forum and well known.

I have used Noiseware and really, you are getting into areas where the differences are almost unnoticable from a normal viewing distance, therefore, someone who doesn't like so much sharpness, will like one noise filter, the other another kind.

Hope this helps.

I will post a picture done with NN and noiseware for people to see the difference.