D300 noice problem at ISO 200 - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

09/01/2009 06:06:34 PM · #1

I was just editing a recent batch of photos and noticed a ton of noise in shadows, even in photos with right balanced histograms. I am freaking out 'cause I just dropped a wad of cash on this upgrade, and the noise is almost as bad as on my D40.

Here is what I was using.
D300
Sigma 24-70 2.8 @24
14 bit uncompressed
ISO 200
F/22 @ .6 seconds

here it is at 100% and no processing

I don't think that the noise should be this bad in the shadows. I think it is a well exposed image.

Is this normal noise. Cause if so. I am going to have to get a different camera, I think it is unacceptable

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

09/01/2009 06:26:19 PM · #2

I'm not sure it is noise, but rather the diffusion/diffraction (I can never remember which) you get from the small aperture (f22). But I can't really tell from the posted image, so could be way off.

You could set up a shot and shoot it at f8, f11, f16, and f22, and you would see this start to creep in.

Shooting that lens at 24mm you should have almost no need to stop down that far, and it will be at its sharpest probably about 2-3 stops down from wide open. f8 should be sweet, and maybe even a little wider open.

This would also allow a faster shutter speed, since at 0.6 seconds you'll get motion blur (which you may have been seeking in this photograph) but also some vibration risk (windy day, even on a tripod, could be an issue) which will add a little softness.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

09/01/2009 06:34:31 PM · #3

Thanks. I think that it could have been the f22, but I have never had that problem before. Maybe the lens. I did f22 cause I wanted the everything in focus, not sharp. It was windy, but would that really add noise to the photo?

Is there any in camera settings that I should be aware of and try to change?

bassbone

Nikon Df

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

09/01/2009 06:43:26 PM · #4

Originally posted by madrush:

Are you sure it is noise and not movement due to the wind?

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

09/01/2009 08:27:07 PM · #5

Raw or jpeg? If jpeg, what camera settings? I've zoomed on this and can't really see much in the way of noise. Just some artifacts around the edges of the dunes but that could be just related to how the image was resized.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

09/01/2009 08:41:34 PM · #6

This DOF Calculator might be worth playing around with--you might find you can use the most optimal f stop for sharpness and still get the dof you are looking for. f22 buys you very little over f8 at 24mm, but forces a longer shutter speed that means wind vibration of your camera/tripod might be affecting the image, and of course, the less sharp, more "grainy" look.

This link about diffraction shows the relative effects of various apertures--compare f8 to f22.

09/02/2009 01:22:02 AM · #7

Thanks for the replies. I am looking at it on a different computer now and it looks a lot better. Maybe it was the monitor??

It was windy. I am going to run some tests tomorrow and see what happens. But The first shoot I did with this camera there was no noise, and fairly similar conditions (minus clouds) and there was little noise visible. There was an equal amount of shadows in that image, and it was even more underexposed. Is it possible that it was the monitor?

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

09/02/2009 02:16:11 PM · #8

Here is another explanation....

Here is my problem...
I switched from a D40 to a D300, the other day I was taking some shots at sunset, went home to edit them and found a ton of noise in the shadows of the clouds, and landscape. I had to do more noise control in those photos than I have ever had to do with my D40. Here are some comparisons between the D40 and D300
D40 @ ISO 200 f/2.8 1/2second shutter speed @70mm 100% view.

Same exif w/ the D300 at a comparative crop 66.7%s

I have tried changing all of the settings and everything. I know that in these two photos the WB is a little bit off. But everything else is the same. The D300 image is definitely sharper, the D300 dynamic range is better. But the noise seem to be similiar in both the D40 and D300. Am I just imagining this? I have tried all of the settings. My ADL is off, My picture control is on neutral only long exposure NR is on, and high ISO NR is on norm. Any suggestions?

Message edited by author 2009-09-02 14:25:58.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

09/02/2009 02:32:09 PM · #9

Well, I will have to yield to someone else's eyes, I guess: to me the D40 image has noticeably more noise than the D300. And, since your D300 is to your eye (most important eye!) sharper, better dynamic range, and no worse noise-wise, I guess you could be pretty happy with the d300 :-)

Nikolai1024

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

09/02/2009 02:34:57 PM · #10

that is why I started this

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