Topaz denoise
- Thread starter jonritter
- Start date
Jake @BackdoorArts did an in depth thread about how well denoise works. You can read that entire thread here and see his results.
https://nikonites.com/post-processing/44269-topaz-denoise-ai-works.html#axzz6lolpwoLU
If you click on Jake's hyperlink, you will save an additional amount of money above and beyond any sale price they are advertising.
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
The Topaz stuff has greatly reduced my workflow, and Denoise has saved shots that would have otherwise been too noisy to finish. I use DeNoise AI on just about every wildlife photo I take, as well as Adjust AI. I'll also used Sharpen AI to save shots that have just a bit of movement or are slightly soft. Really good products, and as mentioned if you use that link you'll get 15% off anything you buy regardless of whether or not it's on sale (which Denoise is currently).
@BackdoorArts - I know you used to cap your ISO at 4000. Can you say how well DeNoise works on higher ISO images? Or do you still cap at ISO 4000 regardless? The fox image in your tutorial is underexposed since it was capped at ISO 4000. So in theory I understand that when exposure is increased, the noise winds up being about equivalent to a higher ISO image (so possibly equal to at least ISO 5000 or 6400). Just curious if you ever tried DeNoise on an image with a higher ISO than 4000.
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Fred Kingston_RIP
Senior Member
Cindy... It would be difficult to compare ISO levels without identifying/standardizing on which cameras you're talking about, wouldn't it? A D700 at 6400 is not going to be the same as a D850 at 6400... IOW, depending on your available resources... each person has to test THEIR equipment with DeNoise and determine THEIR individual tolerance for a selected image... DeNoise may be able to correct your D850's ISO 6400 to an acceptable level, and be a total washout for the same image on the D700...
Additionally, DeNoise has 3 distinctly different Modes of Noise reduction and 4 sliders for each of those modes that alter the amount or type of noise reduction... so the amount of noise reduction for a single image could be almost finite in its variability...
<this is where I'd upload and insert an image of DeNoise's control panel, but of course the forum software is too obtuse for that to happen, sorry>
Additionally, DeNoise has 3 distinctly different Modes of Noise reduction and 4 sliders for each of those modes that alter the amount or type of noise reduction... so the amount of noise reduction for a single image could be almost finite in its variability...
<this is where I'd upload and insert an image of DeNoise's control panel, but of course the forum software is too obtuse for that to happen, sorry>
Danno_RIP
Senior Member
I agree with @FredKingston that there is a difference in effectiveness regarding ISO limits of different cameras. I know that my limit with my D700 is lower than Z6. I have used Denoise on both cameras. I am very well pleased with those situations when I get to the edge of my cameras limits and need reduce the noise. I like the way that Denoise does it over the way I do it in LR. It surprised me when I downloaded it for the free trial.
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
What they said. LOL
I still cap at 4000 on the D500 because that's where I'm comfortable knowing that I can still grab feather detail, even if it's slightly underexposed (the D610 is capped at 6400, as was the D750). Brightening exposure in post before applying NR is very much akin to where the noise level would be had I set it higher in the camera, so a severely underexposed image like the Fox would likely be in the 5-figure ISO range, and I've yet to get Denoise AI to clean that up to my satisfaction. But when I denoise first I can almost always get something that will work for me.
I still cap at 4000 on the D500 because that's where I'm comfortable knowing that I can still grab feather detail, even if it's slightly underexposed (the D610 is capped at 6400, as was the D750). Brightening exposure in post before applying NR is very much akin to where the noise level would be had I set it higher in the camera, so a severely underexposed image like the Fox would likely be in the 5-figure ISO range, and I've yet to get Denoise AI to clean that up to my satisfaction. But when I denoise first I can almost always get something that will work for me.
Andy W
Senior Member
My wife and I use it and feel that it is well worth it.
In my head I was thinking of a comparable comparison based on the D500. However, unfortunately I didn't convey that thought.
I've only shot high ISO with my D750 - up as high as ISO 10k. Quite honestly it wasn't overly bad and probably much better than any DX body at the moment. Thanks for your comments and input. 
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
I've heard tell of software called Deep Prime that a semi-pro in my local club says is "as good as Denoise". I downloaded their sample images and I was able to achieve identical results with Denoise, something that's not unusual with samples. The thing people like/hate about Deep Prime is that it also messes with the contrast somewhat. That's something I'd rather control myself.
Fred Kingston_RIP
Senior Member
DeepPrime is a feature in DXO's Photolab 4 product. It's not a stand-alone Denoise product. As a beta tester for Topaz, I'm not sure which version I'm working on versus what's in the paid for universe (IOW, I may be working on a version that's a generation ahead of what the paid versions are, presently) but I have my own sample images, and DeNoise is significantly cleaner than the most recent version of DeepPrime on the images I use for testing.
DeNoise is also less expensive from the perspective that I'm not looking for a new editing platform, and that's what DXO Photolab 4 is...
DeNoise is also less expensive from the perspective that I'm not looking for a new editing platform, and that's what DXO Photolab 4 is...
Whiskeyman
Senior Member
I use Denoise AI for nearly every photo that I plan to post or print. I also have other Topaz Labs products that I use less frequently. I was a proponent of Sharpen AI until it quit working on my iMac.
Neither of these products will rescue a really bad image, but will bring the close ones closer to where I want them to be. Therefore, IMHO, they're worth it, especially if you need them and can use a discount code like Jake's with a sale price.
WM
Neither of these products will rescue a really bad image, but will bring the close ones closer to where I want them to be. Therefore, IMHO, they're worth it, especially if you need them and can use a discount code like Jake's with a sale price.
WM
Thanks everyone for the feedback! I ended up getting the program and so far like it. One more question, when you run it does it lock up your Lightroom? When I run it the program is using about 500% CPU. I'm able to use other programs other than Lightroom during the process, I'm just curious.
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
If you invoke it directly from Lightroom it may put a lock on the program so that you have to finish with Denoise before you can go back. I invoke from Photoshop and it does the same thing there.
Just curious, did you use the discount link I provided? I'm just trying to keep track of referrals.
I do use it straight from LRC, I just asked because this is one of the only apps I've used that get the fans spinning semi regularly.
I did use your link and they took the 15% off the already advertised sale price. Thank you!