Noise Reduction plug in for CS4

I realise there are a few older topics regarding this but i wanted an up to date opinion from those who are using the various options.

Which is better value at the moment: Noise Ninja, Noiseware or Neat image?

I will probably want to use 16 bit editing as i generally work with RAW files and only convert to Jpeg as the very last step in my workflow. I dont tend to do a huge amount of batch processing.

Ease of use would be good but performance would be the priority.

i have a 50D in case anyone wants to know

Each of those has a pretty good reputation.

But there is one thing recommending NeatImage, and that is the fact that forum member Pixmanta has done extensive work developing a noise reduction tool that works with the 1D Mk III using NeatImage and may some day expand the capabilities. The thread about that is here:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=680947

I've been using noiseware and I'm happy with it. I haven't even had to try custom settings, the presets work for most situations.

I have NoiseNinja pro, but I don't use it. Just expose correctly and stop looking at images at the pixel level, judge your images by the prints and you'll worry less.

Good advice Tim. (I have Noiseware Community Edition (free) and rarely, if ever, use it).

Roy Mathers wrote in post #8670160
Good advice Tim. (I have Noiseware Community Edition (free) and rarely, if ever, use it).

Cheers Spartacus. People worry too much. 100 weddings, low light at all of them, used NR three times or so.

I would agree with that ratio!

I have all three and I like Noiseware the best

One of the reasons I'm looking for it is that i occasionally shoot fiddle concerts for SWMBO (probably about 6 a year) and the lighting is absolutely horrendous. Even using ISO3200 i could barely get a decent exposure (F5 for DOF, SS of 1/50 to avoid movement blur on the bows).

The stage is very well lit but it very quickly turns to absolute dark just off stage. This means that unless i shoot solely on the performers the backdrops are heavily shadowed hence the noise problems.

I would agree that normally noise isnt a big problem (expose to the right etc) but in this particular situation, I really cant expose properly unless i go to ISO 6400 which is unusable due to banding (i tried!).