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Now here's a great question! And there's probably no one better to answer it than BetterPhoto instructor Peter K. Burian, a pro photographer who regularly tests and reviews cameras, lenses, etc. Treat yourself to an easy gift-buying experience, while also giving your favorite photographer something really special! Check out our very beautiful and motivating ebooks: Inspirations, Seascapes, and Cute Babies.
Photo Q&A
Concerning Noise with Canon 7D
Hello,
A little more then a year ago I bought a new camera - the Canon EOS 7D. In general, I'm happy with the performance, technical aspects of this camera. But I noticed also that this camera adds quite some "noise" , even under low ISO values, to my pictures. I shoot nearly 100 percent in RAW. I saw that quite a few people on BetterPhoto have a similar camera so I would like to hear from them if they have noticed similar problems ? Any idea why is this ? What can been done ?
Thank you for your input.
Alex - alexander decoster
ANSWER 1:
I have read of the same problem. According to them, most of the noise is in the shadow area. It seems to happen more with the older non-L zoom lenses that the pictures are really underexposed.
The cure was to either purchase L lenses or add some exposure compensation. It seems to disappear at ISO 400 with the older lenses. Most of the complaints were with the 28-135mm lens. Something in the telemetry isn't quite correct for the older lenses.
- Lynn R. Powers
ANSWER 2:
Thank you. Indeed it seems more in the shadow areas, although not always. And even with a prime lens it can happen depending on the light conditions.
Alex
- alexander decoster
ANSWER 3:
Well, I tested the EOS 7D and certainly did not notice that problem, Alex. Of course I was using newer lenses. Canon published this item recently about an Autofocus issue with some older lenses. http://www.photographybay.com/2011/02/26/some-older-canon-lenses-have-af-limitations-with-7d-60d-50d-and-40d/ But that does not indicate any issues with digital noise. In fact, the EOS 7D is one of Canon's bes t cameras re: minimal digital noise. Cheers! Peter www.peterkburian.com
- Peter K. Burian
See Peter Burian's Basic BetterPholio™:
http://www.betterphoto.com/mg.asp?id=69365
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Peter Burian:
4-Week Short Course: Mastering the Canon EOS Digital Rebels
Mastering the Digital Camera and Photography
ANSWER 4:
Hi Alex,
I cannot recall how many level options you have for high ISO Noise Reduction.
I would not use the highest level with any camera. The default level is ideal in my experience ... when shooting JPEG.
The higher the NR level you set the more blurring the processor will produce. That blurs the digital noise but it also blurs intricate detail.
Of course, if you shoot in RAW mode, you can set any desired Noise Reduction level later. Not sure which software you use, but Canon Photo Pro has an excellent, versatile Noise Reduction levels tool.
While watching the effect, you can set different NR levels and then stop when you find the one that provides the best effect: adequate smoothness but without much blurring of intricate detail.
- Peter K. Burian
See Peter Burian's Basic BetterPholio™:
http://www.betterphoto.com/mg.asp?id=69365
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Peter Burian:
4-Week Short Course: Mastering the Canon EOS Digital Rebels
Mastering the Digital Camera and Photography
ANSWER 5:
Peter,
Thanks for your further recommandations. I'm shooting in RAW mode most of the time. Would you disable noise reduction also in this case? We can apply noise reduction tools afterwards as you said. I process (convert and some adjustments mainly) my photos in Lightroom 3. Indeed, the software that came with the Canon camera is very good. But by looking again at some of the pictures with noise, I suppose it was more a question of underexposure and then the darker areas really show problems. But I cannot blame my 7D for that, only myself.
Alex
- alexander decoster
ANSWER 6:
When you use RAW mode, Alex, the camera records the settings you made (for Noise Reduction, Color Saturation, Sharpening level, etc. etc.). But it does not lock them in.
So, you can change them in the RAW converter software. Hence it does not matter what noise reduction level you set in-camera fora RAW capture since you can change that in Lightroom or the Canon software. (Unless you shoot RAW+JPEG; in that case, the camera settings ARE locked-in for the JPEG photo only.
I prefer the Canon Photo Pro software for RAW files that need tweaking re Noise Reduction but otherwise Lightroom is fine too.
Yes, if you underexpose - and then lighten up the photos in software - the digital noise will be more problematic.
Any camera sometimes underexposes. If you check a photo after taking it, and it is too dark, set +1 exposure compensation and take the shot again. (Then set it back to zero)
Even if shooting RAW it is best to get the exposure close to accurate in the camera.
Cheers! Peter www.peterkburian.com
- Peter K. Burian
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