Noise in Nikon D750 Photographs at Higher ISO Settings
Dec 17, 2018 15:28:17 #
Just got back from a wonderful trip to see the Biltmore Estate Christmas decorations and when I started reviewing my photographs, I noticed that there seemed to be a lot more noise than I would have expected at ISO 2200. I've heard all the great things about how the D750 can go up to 6400 and the noise is "acceptable" but this doesn't look right to me. So I'd like your opinions - maybe there's a setting I don't have correct? Or am I just overthinking it? Most of the photos I took were inside, and we weren't allowed to use flash or a tripod, of course, so these were all handheld, Manual mode, Aperture set at 2.8, shutter speed anywhere from 1/30 to 1/60, and ISO up to 2200. I'm including one of the photos for you to take a look at. Caveat: I did bump up the exposure in this photo before posting as it was quite dark. If you'd like the original, I can re-post. Any opinions / feedback / recommendations / etc. will be appreciated!
Dec 17, 2018 15:30:57 #
Dec 17, 2018 15:37:18 #
I'm adding the original - it's dark, but if you pixel-peep, you should be able to see what I'm referring to. Thanks for your time!
Dec 17, 2018 15:37:20 #
Dec 17, 2018 15:40:04 #
jcwall396 wrote:
I'm adding the original - it's dark, but if you pixel-peep, you should be able to see what I'm referring to. Thanks for your time!
Still doesn't have the original.
Dec 17, 2018 15:53:23 #
jcwall396 wrote:
Just got back from a wonderful trip to see the Bil... (show quote)
Could you re post the images and click "Store Original" so we could see a better copy.
Dec 17, 2018 15:58:48 #
Oops. Sorry about that. Both images are posted - the original and a second with a little brightening to see it.
Dec 17, 2018 16:02:51 #
If you don't nail the exposure, noise will be more present than if you do. You underexposed and then pulled the exposure up in post. This will be noisier than properly exposing the image. But, in the end, I don't find the level of noise in your shot objectionable.
Dec 17, 2018 16:11:40 #
Thanks for the review and input! I shot with the aperture wide open and shutter speed as slow as I could operate hand held. Other than setting up a tripod and slowing down the shutter speed, are there any other options besides bumping up the ISO even further?
Dec 17, 2018 16:26:47 #
I believe you may be overthinking it. The noise seems quite acceptable to me........especially compared to some of my own at higher ISO. 
Dec 17, 2018 16:30:00 #
jcwall396 wrote:
Thanks for the review and input! I shot with the aperture wide open and shutter speed as slow as I could operate hand held. Other than setting up a tripod and slowing down the shutter speed, are there any other options besides bumping up the ISO even further?
Use a VR lens (if you were not already).
Dec 17, 2018 16:41:55 #
Shutterbug57 wrote:
If you don't nail the exposure, noise will be more present than if you do. You underexposed and then pulled the exposure up in post. This will be noisier than properly exposing the image. But, in the end, I don't find the level of noise in your shot objectionable.
I agree. I copied the image worked t a bit in PS. The noise doesn't seem to be too bad and can be addressed in post.
Dec 17, 2018 17:11:17 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
jcwall396 wrote:
Just got back from a wonderful trip to see the Bil... (show quote)
I was there in October as they were beginning to decorate. Awesome!
I used my D800 and didn’t do much better. It is dark in there! You don’t realize how dark because your eyes adjust. Noise is worst in the dark areas. You should be able to reduce the noise with Post Processing. But at the expense of fine detail.
Dec 17, 2018 17:11:55 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
Shutterbug57 wrote:
Use a VR lens (if you were not already).
Doesn’t help noise directly but I suupose you suggest because it might enable longer exposure. Then maybe the long exposure noise reduction could be turned on?
Might have helped to use center weighted metering to avoid letting the lights dominate exposure. Or even upped the EV. But that would lead to longer exposure or higher ISO.
Dec 17, 2018 17:26:18 #
jcwall396 wrote:
Thanks for the review and input! I shot with the aperture wide open and shutter speed as slow as I could operate hand held. Other than setting up a tripod and slowing down the shutter speed, are there any other options besides bumping up the ISO even further?
Try using some noise reduction software in post. I'd strive for a deeper depth of field with images like this. Your limiting yourself shooting wide open under these conditions.
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