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Post Processing
Nik Dfine 2 vs Topaz Denoise 5
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<blockquote data-quote="Moab Man" data-source="post: 427145" data-attributes="member: 11881"><p>Conclusion... </p><p></p><p>For cleaning up the bokeh area, shadows, and further softening the bokeh area the Nik Tools Dfine 2 is the perfect tool. </p><p></p><p>Cleaning up the noise in the actual focused area as well as sharpening it up a bit, the Topaz Denoise is perfect. BUT it falls substantially short in cleaning up shadow area noise.</p><p></p><p>The hybrid solution... If I really needed to pull the absolute best out of an image and clean up the noise my solution would be a combination of Nik, Topaz, and layer masks. I would use Topaz to clean up noise in the main image that's NOT shadowed. I would then use Nik to clean up shadow areas. All the while using mask layers to show/blend the Topaz with the Nik areas.</p><p></p><p>I personally use Dfine all the time and am a big believer. But there are a couple "flaws" with this evaluation. Yes, the Nik Tools Dfine did wipe out a lot of fine detail, but I have virtually never printed an image at 100%. Without being displayed at 100% the loss of detail would not be so evident. The other issue I have with my test is how I actually use Dfine. When I am cleaning up noise I more often than not am using a mask on the areas I want in focus. The Dfine often improves the bokeh and leaving the fine bit of noise in the image can help to give the image a sharper image to the eye when the background bokeh is even softer.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Moab Man, post: 427145, member: 11881"] Conclusion... For cleaning up the bokeh area, shadows, and further softening the bokeh area the Nik Tools Dfine 2 is the perfect tool. Cleaning up the noise in the actual focused area as well as sharpening it up a bit, the Topaz Denoise is perfect. BUT it falls substantially short in cleaning up shadow area noise. The hybrid solution... If I really needed to pull the absolute best out of an image and clean up the noise my solution would be a combination of Nik, Topaz, and layer masks. I would use Topaz to clean up noise in the main image that's NOT shadowed. I would then use Nik to clean up shadow areas. All the while using mask layers to show/blend the Topaz with the Nik areas. I personally use Dfine all the time and am a big believer. But there are a couple "flaws" with this evaluation. Yes, the Nik Tools Dfine did wipe out a lot of fine detail, but I have virtually never printed an image at 100%. Without being displayed at 100% the loss of detail would not be so evident. The other issue I have with my test is how I actually use Dfine. When I am cleaning up noise I more often than not am using a mask on the areas I want in focus. The Dfine often improves the bokeh and leaving the fine bit of noise in the image can help to give the image a sharper image to the eye when the background bokeh is even softer. [/QUOTE]
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Nik Dfine 2 vs Topaz Denoise 5
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