Lightroom AI Denoise

[Kayaker72]

Looks like LR has joined the trend of having an AI Denoise feature in their latest update:

https://youtu.be/_g3dDdJ-2IE

I just played with one image, 4-5 min exposure with my M6II, definitely cleaned things up. But, Greg Benz does a much better job of comparing different approaches.

[Jayson]

I updated mine last night. Be interesting to see what it does compared to Topaz Denoise AI or Nik software. I've got some late evening soccer I might give it a shot on.

[Kayaker72]

This is a very tight crop (almost 1:1) on a trogan picture I took in Costa Rica that I am processing. Just ran the Denoise feature. Settings were 1/1000, f/4, ISO 2500 on my R5, and I've added 1.3 stops EV and +30 shadows in LR.

You can see what it does:

This is with the Denoise set to default everything (50).

Some of it looks too smooth, IMO.

This is with the Denoise set to 20.

That really isn't bad. Especially as cropped below (Denoise @ 20):

[Jonathan Huyer]

Great comparison Brant! I also own the Topaz software, so I did a quick check of the new LR Denoise against Topaz Denoise and Topaz PhotoAI. On a bird photo at ISO 3200 using the R5, I could not see any difference between Topaz Denoise and the new LR Denoise. Both put out exactly the same result in the default settings, as far as I could see. But when I use PhotoAI, the result is noticeably better because I can also add sharpening. It really works well and is super quick.

[Jayson]

Great comparison Brant! I also own the Topaz software, so I did a quick check of the new LR Denoise against Topaz Denoise and Topaz PhotoAI. On a bird photo at ISO 3200 using the R5, I could not see any difference between Topaz Denoise and the new LR Denoise. Both put out exactly the same result in the default settings, as far as I could see. But when I use PhotoAI, the result is noticeably better because I can also add sharpening. It really works well and is super quick.

Brant and Jonathan, This is what I was finding as well. My shots tend to have higher ISO because most are shot with a 2.0 tc on my 100-400. Denoise in LR really smudges stuff once the noise is more serious. I think it is a work in progress and they are on the right track though. If they added a sharpening feature to the Lightroom denoiseAI in the future, I could have saved some bucks.

I heard some rumblings on another group on FB that DXO does a great job with raw noise and sharpening, some claim better than what Topaz does...never tried it myself, but curious.

[Joel Eade]

I did a free trial of DXO Pure Raw a couple years ago .... it was very impressive at both noise reduction and restoring detail. I think they have released a new version too. I would suggest trying it if they still offer a free trial period.