Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO

LJR69 · 25-04-2008, 10:32

Can anyone tell me why I am getting noise in my images at ISO 200?

Below is a 100% , non-adjusted, crop of an image taken from a raw file which demonstrates the noise which I think shouldn't be so pronounced in the off-focus shadows.

The full image can be seen here

EXIF data is here:

Camera Model:.............Nikon D300
Pixel Size:....................407 x 612
Aperture:.....................f/22
Shutter Speed:.............1/60
Exposure Bias:..............0ev
Focal Length (35mm):...24.0mm
Focal Length:...............16.0mm
ISO Speed Rating:........ISO 200
Lens Minimum (mm):....16.0mm
Max Lens Aperture:.......3.7
Len Maximum (mm):.....85.0mm
Lens Model:..................16.0-85.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

I couldn't export the histogram but there is no clipping of highlights or shadows in the image (in case that's in any way useful to know)

Original-Tin · 25-04-2008, 10:43

I know it is a different camera but I've seen similar in low ISO from a D200, it seems to happen a lot in greyscale objects.

LJR69 · 25-04-2008, 10:59

Any idea why? When I see reviews of this camera and they show 100% crop images at 200, 400, 800, and 1600 - even the 800 seems to have less noise than what I am getting. I can't help feeling it's exposure related in some way but everything seems to be bang on the money in regards to my exposure settings.

Original-Tin · 25-04-2008, 11:34

Found this Nikon D300 Review: 18. Photographic tests: Digital Photography Review gives a comparison chart of ISO for the D300. After a very brief Google on the subject there appears to be some debate going on about the noise with some people comenting on it being 'grainy' but nothing as to the cause.

Judging from the shot I doubt that the camera would be doing any NR processing on the shot though this also appears to be under debate as to whether the camera does anything with the RAW image no one seems to know for sure.

Soupdragon · 25-04-2008, 12:20

If you have active D lighting on? I suggest turning it off and trying again.
Are you using capture NX to convert your images? if not, I suggest you give it a go too.

Good luck.

LJR69 · 25-04-2008, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Original-Tin

Found this Nikon D300 Review: 18. Photographic tests: Digital Photography Review gives a comparison chart of ISO for the D300. After a very brief Google on the subject there appears to be some debate going on about the noise with some people comenting on it being 'grainy' but nothing as to the cause.

Judging from the shot I doubt that the camera would be doing any NR processing on the shot though this also appears to be under debate as to whether the camera does anything with the RAW image no one seems to know for sure.

I also read that site and looked at those images and that's what made me think the noise in my images were worse than those dpreview are showing. From a settings standpoint the camera only performs noise reduction for what it deems to be "High ISO" which I wouldn't include 200 in that. I guess my overriding question is that do other's (especially any other D300 users) see the noise in my image at ISO 200 as being excessive for that ISO?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

If you have active D lighting on? I suggest turning it off and trying again.
Are you using capture NX to convert your images? if not, I suggest you give it a go too.

Good luck.

I am not sure why Active D Lighting would affect noise? It doesn't affect the sensor sensitivity in my understanding and I haven't read of other's who have disabled it due to it producing noise. I am reluctant to disable the Active D given that it does actually do a great job at lifting shadows and normalising the hightlights in strong contrast situations.

The noise you see btw is exactly as it appears in the raw and, yes, I do use Capture NX almost exclusively. Great program!

VikingPhotography · 25-04-2008, 15:35

Nope, it's not excessive - it's just normal luminance noise that is present in the shadows.

This would be exacerbated by the use of Active D-lighting since it effectively boosts the signal in the shadow area, emphasising any noise recorded.

If you want to avoid the issues associated with shooting high-contrast scenes, then shooting RAW is your best bet. Pull down the highlights in post and reduce the shadow curve to regain details lost when doing so.

By the way - you should avoid going beyond f/11 when shooting with your D300... you'll be starting to introduce diffraction effects in to your images and will therefore lose critical sharpness. The shot above would have been better taken at f/11 and 1/250 sec.

Soupdragon · 25-04-2008, 15:37

I'm not sure why you are so reluctant to try the cam without D lighting?
What have you got to lose?, as you have NX you can apply D lighting with greater fidelity during post processing anyway.

Soupdragon · 25-04-2008, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by VikingPhotography

Nope, it's not excessive - it's just normal luminance noise that is present in the shadows.

This would be exacerbated by the use of Active D-lighting since it effectively boosts the signal in the shadow area, emphasising any noise recorded.

If you want to avoid the issues associated with shooting high-contrast scenes, then shooting RAW is your best bet. Pull down the highlights in post and reduce the shadow curve to regain details lost when doing so.

By the way - you should avoid going beyond f/11 when shooting with your D300... you'll be starting to introduce diffraction effects in to your images and will therefore lose critical sharpness. The shot above would have been better taken at f/11 and 1/250 sec.

Crikey! f22, how did I miss that one?

charleslmims · 25-04-2008, 15:39

I have a D300 and a D200 and I noticed that the images had noise. I recently updated to the New Nikon NX on my Mac. I also think I need to turn off the D lighting. Check to see if the Jpeg images have noise or just the imaged converted from Raw. I think if I use flash I am going to limit the Auto ISO or turn it off on the flash camera. I plan to use the D200 for flash and the D300 for existing light. I will do more investigation. Charles L. Mims an old guy still trying to learn.

LJR69 · 25-04-2008, 15:41

Thanks for the info (and to those before you who also replied of course).

With regards the f-stop and diffraction effects. I thought this was specific to the lens you used as opposed to the camera body? I read somewhere that I should steer clear of the min and max aperture settings and need to keep that in mind. I was just trying to make sure I had the whole image in focus and not the top (peacock) out of focus due to the d.o.f, but f11 probably still would have been okay. Shame I can't try it now lol

Thanks for the tips, feedback and advice. All helps!

LJR69 · 25-04-2008, 15:48

Active D now disabled!

JMitchell · 25-04-2008, 15:50

I know you've pretty much got the answers, but I have also found that Active D-Lighting does contribute so the noise...just to confirm

LJR69 · 25-04-2008, 15:59

Thanks muchly!

Original-Tin · 25-04-2008, 16:07

On an aside for the diffraction - Diffraction

This I have to say is afirst for me - never heard of it before.

25-04-2008, 10:32	#1 (permalink)
LJR69 Getting Comfy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Thatcham, Berkshire, UK Posts: 155	Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO Can anyone tell me why I am getting noise in my images at ISO 200? Below is a 100% , non-adjusted, crop of an image taken from a raw file which demonstrates the noise which I think shouldn't be so pronounced in the off-focus shadows. The full image can be seen here EXIF data is here: Camera Model:.............Nikon D300 Pixel Size:....................407 x 612 Aperture:.....................f/22 Shutter Speed:.............1/60 Exposure Bias:..............0ev Focal Length (35mm):...24.0mm Focal Length:...............16.0mm ISO Speed Rating:........ISO 200 Lens Minimum (mm):....16.0mm Max Lens Aperture:.......3.7 Len Maximum (mm):.....85.0mm Lens Model:..................16.0-85.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 I couldn't export the histogram but there is no clipping of highlights or shadows in the image (in case that's in any way useful to know)

25-04-2008, 10:43	#2 (permalink)
Original-Tin New here Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 31	Re: Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO I know it is a different camera but I've seen similar in low ISO from a D200, it seems to happen a lot in greyscale objects.

25-04-2008, 10:59	#3 (permalink)
LJR69 Getting Comfy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Thatcham, Berkshire, UK Posts: 155	Re: Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO Any idea why? When I see reviews of this camera and they show 100% crop images at 200, 400, 800, and 1600 - even the 800 seems to have less noise than what I am getting. I can't help feeling it's exposure related in some way but everything seems to be bang on the money in regards to my exposure settings.

25-04-2008, 11:34	#4 (permalink)
Original-Tin New here Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 31	Re: Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO Found this Nikon D300 Review: 18. Photographic tests: Digital Photography Review gives a comparison chart of ISO for the D300. After a very brief Google on the subject there appears to be some debate going on about the noise with some people comenting on it being 'grainy' but nothing as to the cause. Judging from the shot I doubt that the camera would be doing any NR processing on the shot though this also appears to be under debate as to whether the camera does anything with the RAW image no one seems to know for sure.

25-04-2008, 12:20	#5 (permalink)
Soupdragon Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,084	Re: Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO If you have active D lighting on? I suggest turning it off and trying again. Are you using capture NX to convert your images? if not, I suggest you give it a go too. Good luck.

25-04-2008, 15:35	#7 (permalink)
VikingPhotography Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Just south of Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 788	Re: Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO Nope, it's not excessive - it's just normal luminance noise that is present in the shadows. This would be exacerbated by the use of Active D-lighting since it effectively boosts the signal in the shadow area, emphasising any noise recorded. If you want to avoid the issues associated with shooting high-contrast scenes, then shooting RAW is your best bet. Pull down the highlights in post and reduce the shadow curve to regain details lost when doing so. By the way - you should avoid going beyond f/11 when shooting with your D300... you'll be starting to introduce diffraction effects in to your images and will therefore lose critical sharpness. The shot above would have been better taken at f/11 and 1/250 sec.

25-04-2008, 15:37	#8 (permalink)
Soupdragon Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,084	Re: Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO I'm not sure why you are so reluctant to try the cam without D lighting? What have you got to lose?, as you have NX you can apply D lighting with greater fidelity during post processing anyway.

25-04-2008, 15:39	#10 (permalink)
charleslmims New here Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Antonio-Texas and the Hill Country at my Lake Home Posts: 2	Re: Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO I have a D300 and a D200 and I noticed that the images had noise. I recently updated to the New Nikon NX on my Mac. I also think I need to turn off the D lighting. Check to see if the Jpeg images have noise or just the imaged converted from Raw. I think if I use flash I am going to limit the Auto ISO or turn it off on the flash camera. I plan to use the D200 for flash and the D300 for existing light. I will do more investigation. Charles L. Mims an old guy still trying to learn.

25-04-2008, 15:41	#11 (permalink)
LJR69 Getting Comfy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Thatcham, Berkshire, UK Posts: 155	Re: Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO Thanks for the info (and to those before you who also replied of course). With regards the f-stop and diffraction effects. I thought this was specific to the lens you used as opposed to the camera body? I read somewhere that I should steer clear of the min and max aperture settings and need to keep that in mind. I was just trying to make sure I had the whole image in focus and not the top (peacock) out of focus due to the d.o.f, but f11 probably still would have been okay. Shame I can't try it now lol Thanks for the tips, feedback and advice. All helps!

25-04-2008, 15:48	#12 (permalink)
LJR69 Getting Comfy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Thatcham, Berkshire, UK Posts: 155	Re: Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO Active D now disabled! Last edited by LJR69 : 25-04-2008 at 15:59. Reason: corrected typo

25-04-2008, 15:50	#13 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,509	Re: Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO I know you've pretty much got the answers, but I have also found that Active D-Lighting does contribute so the noise...just to confirm

25-04-2008, 15:59	#14 (permalink)
LJR69 Getting Comfy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Thatcham, Berkshire, UK Posts: 155	Re: Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO Thanks muchly!

25-04-2008, 16:07	#15 (permalink)
Original-Tin New here Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 31	Re: Nikon D300 noise in images at low ISO On an aside for the diffraction - Diffraction This I have to say is afirst for me - never heard of it before.