Hey all. I haven't done many nightshots, so I thought I'd get some feedback. This was taken with my Oly C8080 in night mode at 50 ASA and a shutter speed of about 15 seconds. It was really dark, so street lights nearby. I couldn't even really see the camera controls. I knew there would be noise, but at 50 ASA I thought it would be less. This is 40% of original size and cropped, but you get the idea. Any thoughts on minimizing noise. It is fine when shooting stars, you can just say it is the faint starfield that we normally wouldn't see! ;] But here, there is no excuse. I tried using the Dust & Scratches filter and that helps, but I start loosing what little detail there is fast. I did NOT try the in-camera noise reduction...may have to try that next time. I'm guessing that in these conditions with this camera, this is about as good as I'm gonna get. --Kort

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

One other thing. I found a number of red and green pixels that I haven't noticed before. Are these "dead" pixels or just a byproduct of the long exposure. I will have to try pixel mapping I guess....

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

I use a program called noise ninja, so I tried it on this. Worked quite well I think It cost $99 but it is worth it if like me I some times shoot at ISO 800 or higher. Plus I sometimes forget which ISO I'm on and can rescue a photo from noise.

Eggiwegs! I would like... to smash them!

urk - wow, worra difference! Looks like Ninja's kick ass ;-) This noise thing is one of the offputting things for me about night shots - I too wonder about those stray green (sometimes red) pixels... what are they? (",)

That IS better -- Oops, I said ASA, I ment ISO. (smacks forehead) Thanks for the input. Still I wasn't at 800 ISO, but 50. Still, good to know about that program. I've read up on various ways to remove noise, but would like to prevent it if possible. I had a white pixel almost dead center that I noticed about a week ago. I used my camera's pixel mapping feature, and it appears to have gone away. As for the red and green pixels...I'm not sure, since they seem to be random in every image. Thought's anyone?

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

yep... i usually get rid of hot pixels & noise through postwork... nice work here :] bring on the tech gurus...

Don't think there is any way to prevent noise especially on long exposures, all you can do is minimise as you have and clean up after.

And every one said, 'If we only live,
We too will go to sea in a Sieve,---
To the hills of the Chankly Bore!'
Far and few, far and few, Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue, And they went to sea in a Sieve.

Edward Lear
http://www.nonsenselit.org/Lear/ns/jumblies.html

Well, if those are my options, I guess Dust and Scratches, and Smart Blur may come in handy. ;o) I'll have to do a series of test shots to see what the difference is.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

I have been using 'Neat Image' to deal with noisey shots seems to work well and is free download ;)

And every one said, 'If we only live,
We too will go to sea in a Sieve,---
To the hills of the Chankly Bore!'
Far and few, far and few, Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue, And they went to sea in a Sieve.

Edward Lear
http://www.nonsenselit.org/Lear/ns/jumblies.html

Hey, and it has a Mac version...thanks Richard! :) --Kort

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

NP - they have a profile set for your camera too - if you use that it saves making your own or using the auto.

And every one said, 'If we only live,
We too will go to sea in a Sieve,---
To the hills of the Chankly Bore!'
Far and few, far and few, Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue, And they went to sea in a Sieve.

Edward Lear
http://www.nonsenselit.org/Lear/ns/jumblies.html

i really don't think it is THAT noisy, Kort. really doesn't look that bad. not sure how to help you out. i would take care of it in postwork. sorry. it's a fantastic shot though!

Very cool. Will try it soon. Thanks for the tips gang.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

Onslow, I purchased Neat Image Pro...just enough clean up I find...and yes, there are d/l profiles for most cams. Azy, dont despair, I've done a shoot at 3200 ISO before...thinking it was still 100...sighs!!!!!!!!