Too Much Noise

[ReenaG]

Hi, I am using a 7D with the kit lens (28-135).

I took a bunch of shots last night (evening) and upped the ISO to compensate for the lower light...I was shocked though at how much Noise was in the pictures....do I need to adjust a setting somewhere?

The one thing I noticed this morning is the white balance was set to the K5500....do you think that would have cause the photos to have so much noise?

Otherwise what else should I be doing or NOT doing? I am not really used to taking late evening photos (like this) so am trying to practice... I do have an external flash but didn't have it with me:

Camera: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 7D
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/100 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Focal Length: 135mm
Flash Used: No
Latitude: n/a
Longitude: n/a



and here is a screen shot so you can see the noise better:

[lputman]

Since you were at the widest aperture that you could be at with the zoom at 135, you would need to lower your shutter speed to allow more light if you don't want to up the ISO anymore. Try a little slower shutter speed. With a pose like this, which is very cute, she is still so you can use a slower shutter speed. An external flash would have been the optimal choice, but you could still take great photos at that time of evening with the 7D.

[santacruz]

at ISO 400 should not make this noise ... ? what is the resolution you use?
I'm not sure if this is related to some setting or not. It is a good idea to reset the camera and try again.

-Santacruz

[ReenaG]

Thank you for your replies. The actual photo prints out nicely, but I just wasn't happy with how much noise was involved at only ISO 400

also, it's not as sharp as I would have liked...but oh well. we will try again!

[Vagebond]

If you shoot in RAW or use manual exposure disregard this post.

On my Canon 450D there's a custom function called "auto lighting optimizer" that's turned on by default.
According to the manual it optimizes lighting, increasing brightness and contrast under certain (low) light situations. The manual also says that this can increase noise. And it does, ISO 800 without the function is better at times than ISO 100 with it. I noticed that skin colours suffered pretty badly when it happened.


Not as sharp: your shutter speed of 1/100 sec. at 135mm focal length is pushing what you can do hand held. Also, a wide open aperture, and I assume 5.6 is wide open at 135mm on your lens, isn't the sharpest. Usually the best sharpness starts around f8 or more.

[ReenaG]

Thank you Vangebond! yes I do have that auto lighting optimizer....I will disable that!! I was kind of all over the map with the exposures....some were in manual mode, others with aperture...

I guess I was thinking I needed the aperture more open for more light and wasn't thinking so much of the shutter speed (at the time, my bad, so bad) will think better next time!

[zona5101]

One thing that you'll find is digital sensors really like proper exposure. When you manipulate the exposure in post the noise really increses. I find this especially true whne I try to push an undersxposed image in post. So getting it right in camera is the first part. If it's still noisy then run it through a Noise reduction program. Susan1950 turned me on to this noiseware freebie version. It's the cat's meow!
http://www.imagenomic.com/download_nwsa.aspx

[Vagebond]

Thanks for the link, I'm going to try it out

[ReenaG]

Originally Posted by zona5101

One thing that you'll find is digital sensors really like proper exposure. When you manipulate the exposure in post the noise really increses. I find this especially true whne I try to push an undersxposed image in post. So getting it right in camera is the first part. If it's still noisy then run it through a Noise reduction program. Susan1950 turned me on to this noiseware freebie version. It's the cat's meow!
http://www.imagenomic.com/download_nwsa.aspx

darn!!!! it's only for Windows! but thank you for sharing

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Susan1950 turned me on to this noiseware freebie version.

Ya know, Bruce, the digits in my user name are the year of my birth. Way to make me 20 years older! LMAO!