Neat Image

[lkroll]

I believe that was the year. I first started with the demo version; very powerful in its own right, but I wanted lossless capabilities. If memory serves me correctly, the Home version (wasn't called Home at that time as I recall) was around $20; a bargain for sure. I didn't opt for the plugin version (maybe or maybe not a wish list issue). Since I have the home version, I can copy to clipboard and paste the result anyway, so it really wasn't that much an inconvenience. I know that a lot of noise reducing programs exist, but my heart's with NeatImage. They've freely given me free updates since I first purchased this gem and this weighs a lot for my support for this product.

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by plugsnpixels

Just yesterday I did a little chart comparing the various noise-reducing plug-ins on a 100% size detail from a 35mm scanned image. In my experience with this particular image, Noise Ninja did the best job, followed closely by Noiseware, Neat Image and Digital GEM Pro. Some others merely turned the grain to mush in the name of reduction.

http://www.plugsnpixels.com/misc/noisechart.jpg

I did not try Grain Surgery (I have it, but to install it requires quitting all running apps, and that's never convenient unless you plan ahead...).

I don't have any digital-source files that are that noisy, except for a few long exposures of a distant forest fire at night. Again, Noise Ninja and Noiseware did the best job on it.

Mike

Thanks for sharing your results, Mike.

FWIW here's another analysis on these types of programs/plugins. The content is a little out of date, but it's still a pretty interresting read:

http://www.michaelalmond.com/Articles/noise_print.html

~Danny~

[barbara]

about one week ago I installed Demo version of Neat Image
to proof how it works and if it works at all .
I use Linux only.
But it works without any complications, so now I will
test it on some horribly noised images
and compare with other Open Source tools.