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Africadunc
Africadunc
Known Participant
August 25, 2022
Question

Z9 raw files importing with high grain / noise

  • August 25, 2022
  • 6 replies
  • 3434 views

Recently got a Z9 and found imported raw files with darker areas & higher ISOs were generating very noticable & unpleasant grain & noise compared with similar files with the Z7.

 

Upon researching this I found other Z9 users had the same issue, but only if they used Lightroom / Photoshop (Adobe products).

 

A very detailed look at this issue, and possible work arounds, can be found here; Adobe Short-Changing Z9...?! | And How You FIX It! | Matt Irwin - YouTube

 

Not sure if it has something to do with the High Efficiency * raws that Nikon has with the Z9, but the fact that Capture One doesnt have the same issue makes me think it is a bug / tweak that you guys could do / fix. 

 

It would be worth doing as the Z9 is the Nikon flagship camera and will be used by many professional. Thanks.

 

Software: Lightroom Classic (latest version Adobe Creative Cloud sub)

OS: PC, latest windows

Camera: Nikon Z9

 

 

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    6 replies

    S
    shawtechnology
    Participant
    March 19, 2024

    I spent a lot of money for this camera. I have been faithful to the ADOBE apps, but this is unacceptable. I won't be able to stay with ADOBE if this isn't corrected. The grain I get at 2000 ISO is just stupid. 

    Per Berntsen
    Community Expert
    Per BerntsenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 19, 2024

    The grain is most likely caused by the way you have exposed and/or edited the images.

    Please provide a sample image, saved as a DNG, this will include all the edits you have done.

    (if you use Lightroom Classic, export as DNG)

    Upload the DNG to Dropbox or some other file sharing service, and post the link here.

     

    B
    baryelAdobePS
    Participant
    December 26, 2022

    I use "camera settings" to override "adobe default "

    markophoto1
    markophoto1
    Inspiring
    November 8, 2022

    Has there been any progress on this subject? 
    I am pro photographer, recently switched to z9 and can only confirm the images impüorted into LR show high grain / noise especially if they are on the "underexposed side" of the historgram. If I import the very same image into Nikon´s NX Studio I do not see this issue! As suggested in the video - sharpening set to 0 and Texture to -75 in LR partialy fix the problem.

     

    Adobe are you listening?? 

    Africadunc
    AfricaduncAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 8, 2022

    I know they've recently added support for Z9 High Efficiency Raw files, so I was hoping they might have improved the grain / noise issue as well. I've ended up buying DXO pure raw to deal with the grain, and it seems to work pretty well, but unfortunately that only supports lossless raw format.

      Per Berntsen
      Community Expert
      Per BerntsenCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 25, 2022

      There have been several posts by Z9 users complaining about high noise  levels with this camera.

      Some of them have provided raw files, which have either been correctly exposed, with what I consider perfectly normal noise levels when viewed at 100%, or moderately to badly underexposed, which inevitably leads to increased noise when the Exposure and/or Shadows slider is dragged to the right.

       

      Since you think that the Z9 performs  worse than the Z7, I download test files from both cameras from DPreview shot at ISO 3200 to see for myself. I imported them in Lightroom Classic, set sharpening to 0, used no Luminance noise reduction, and left Color noise reduction at the default 25. To get a closer tonal match, I made some minor tweaks to Exposure,  Shadows and Highlights on the Z9 file.

       

      When compared at 100%, the most striking difference is that the Z9 file is sharper.

      It also appears to be a tiny bit noisier in some areas, and I think this is because of the sharper sensor.

      I'd say the difference in noise is marginal.

      Below is a screenshot at 100%. Make sure to view at 100% as well.

       

       

       

        Africadunc
        AfricaduncAuthor
        Known Participant
        August 25, 2022

        Wow, thanks for putting in such an effort to help, and the tips, that's really appreciated!

         

        I'm wondering at present whether it might be something to do with Lossless Raw vs High Efficiency * raws.

         

        The photographer I mentioned originally found the exact same file imported using Capture One (on his friend's computer) looked perfect, but had very different results than when they used Adobe. 

         

        I wondering whether there might be a difference between those raw formats, so I've taken some higher ISO shots this morning of the same thing and changed format, in case that is what is causing it.

         

        The reason I suspect this is because my Z7 doesnt have the high efficiency *, but my Z9 does. Its possible that Adobe imports lossless perfectly, but might have an issue with high efficiency * raws. When I get a chance, I will have to test that.

        TheDigitalDog
        TheDigitalDog
        Inspiring
        August 25, 2022

        See: 

        https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-supported-cameras.html

         

         

        Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
          TheDigitalDog
          TheDigitalDog
          Inspiring
          August 25, 2022

          If you can upload one of the raws to something like Dropbox, I can examine the raw Histogram in RawDigger and at least get some idea of that actual data and exposure which plays a profound role on noise. I could report back what's actually in that raw, without any LR processing taking place. 

          BTW, the video in the first few minutes isn't something to take very seriously (the 'blokes' don't understand defaults nor how such defaults may not be ideal for your captures). 

          Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
          Rikk Flohr_Photography
          Community Manager
          Rikk Flohr_PhotographyCommunity Manager
          Community Manager
          August 25, 2022

          Would you be able to provide a couple of files (raw) exhibiting this issue for the Camera Raw team to review?

          Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org
          G
          Groovnick
          Participant
          March 10, 2023

          Did you ever receive any raw files to look at? I can sure send you some if needed. Compared with my d850, the noise on my z9 images is horrible when opening with CameraRAW.  Despite sliding the NR control liberally, anything above iso 1000 falls apart quickly. 

          Rikk Flohr_Photography
          Community Manager
          Rikk Flohr_PhotographyCommunity Manager
          Community Manager
          March 10, 2023

          No one has provided a High-ISO Standard NEF that was properly exposed that exhibits the noise. 

          Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org
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