Too much noise

I realize there are many variables that play into what ISO is used but in general what ISO do you use indoors at a reception? I have been getting very frustrated at the amount of noise I am getting with the higher iso.

What gear are you running?

I use either 800 or 1600.

If you expose well, the noise is minimal. If you underexpose, the noise really comes out. I remember way back I tried shooting at ISO400 to get less noise, but I ended up underexposing a lot of the backgrounds; they were over two stops below the subjects who were lit with flash. Those ISO400 pics had WAY more noise than my ISO1600 pics where the exposure was more balanced out.

It's all about exposing properly to control the noise.

And honestly, noise/grain isn't such a bad thing.

I agree about good exposure and that is my issue. I use a Eos 1D MK2 and 24-70 2.8 with a 580ex powered by a Quantum Turbo battery pack.
I am getting very inconsistant exposures. Not sure if I am firing too fast. I bump the flash up 1/3 - 1 stop depending (using a lightsphere). What noise software do you use. I am using Npiseware pro and it works well.

I use NO noise software. The noise really isn't that bad, and noise software smudges out cool details.

In a dark reception, what kind of settings are you using?

I guess between 640-1000 iso. I use program setting with One shot auto. What metering do you use?

In dark halls I generally shoot 1600... even 3200 if needed. As Lloyd has mentioned already, noise really isn't a big deal with prints. If one is going to pixel peep the high-res files, then sure it may be distracting, but final prints look fine... at least on my end. I don't use any noise reduction software.

Are you shooting manually?

ok maybe I am just OCD with noise. I shoot some manual but most auto.

Thomas Lunt wrote in post #4063386
ok maybe I am just OCD with noise. I shoot some manual but most auto.

If your looking for consistency in your exposure, I would try to work more with manual settings. Obviously, if things are moving to fast and lighting is changing rapidly I usually use a priority mode.

Thomas Lunt wrote in post #4063291
I agree about good exposure and that is my issue. I use a Eos 1D MK2 and 24-70 2.8 with a 580ex powered by a Quantum Turbo battery pack.
I am getting very inconsistant exposures. Not sure if I am firing too fast. I bump the flash up 1/3 - 1 stop depending (using a lightsphere).

I have the 1D Mark II and the 580ex too and my only recommendation is: Forget ETTL with this combo, use manual and flash +1/3 - +2/3 compensation at the flash. There is a huge difference in the results.
Even a series of quick flashes with external battery is fine this way.

Camera (1D Mark II) is mostly set to about 400 ISO, sometimes I go up to 800 and no problems with noise. The 5D with ISO 1600 is very good too.

I bought the Metz 76-5 and the results are much better than using the 580ex. Ok, it's bigger in size and more powerful too.

Good luck
Gert

I think a noisy image is preferable to an out of focus one. We use anything up to 3200 ISO on our 5Ds (1600 on the 20D/30Ds), every once in a while we'll use Neat Image plugin in Photoshop, but mostly not - if noise is a problem in an image, we'll often convert to black/white rather than using noise reduction.

Rob

800-1600, occasionally 3200. I don't use noise software either.

I don't generally use noise software but if it is really bad try using neat image on them. I've used it before and it worked really well.

I have NEVER had a client (or non-photographer) look at one of my high ISO images and say "Nice shot, shame it's so noisy..."

Never.

Noise/Grain really isn't the issue us photographers make it out to be.

Thomas Lunt wrote in post #4063291
I agree about good exposure and that is my issue. I use a Eos 1D MK2 and 24-70 2.8 with a 580ex powered by a Quantum Turbo battery pack.
I am getting very inconsistant exposures. Not sure if I am firing too fast. I bump the flash up 1/3 - 1 stop depending (using a lightsphere).

It sounds from your description that you might be firing too fast and not giving the flash enough time to recycle back to full power. Add to that the use of an inefficient flash diffusion device like the LS and you need to really watch that recycle time back to 100%. That would result in underexposed images. Higher ISO and underexposure combined will create considerable noise in the image file.

Rick