Some RAW converters are sensitive to the camera settings and will configure to provide automated output based on the camera settings, including high-ISO NR settings.
Many non-manufacturer RAW converters will not read the camera settings data and they will not apply automated NR.
I do think that long-exposure NR is applied to the camera capture and RAW files should reflect those results.
There is some anecdotal information and research to indicate that the latest Nikon and Canon cameras do apply some high-ISO NR to shadow areas that can not be turned off and is included in RAW files. It appears that this shadow NR is based on some kind of automated "masking" of dark regions, so it is likely part of the image processing engine.
Does in camera noise reduction settings affect RAW output or just JPG?
Check out this thread here I started recently. Some great info...
I plan on doing a test soon in regards to this. I will be taking a few long exposure shots.
First with no NR in-camera turned on and no NR performed in LR2.
Second with High ISO ON in-camera, LE NR off, and no NR performed in LR2.
Etc...etc...etc... I'll also be taking photos at all different "standard" ISO speeds as well, (i.e. 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200) and comparing 100% crop noise levels with the varying NR techniques applied and not applied. It's gonna take awhile and a lot of shots, but I'm curious as to the effects. Fast shutter speeds, slow shutter speeds, narrow DOF, wide DOF, etc...
The only thing I won't be able to test is actual NR software such as Noiseware or Noise Ninja as I don't have any. Just LR2, CS3 and DPP.
Does in camera noise reduction settings affect RAW output or just JPG?
But, to quickly answer your question, it effects both, just depends on the software you are using to edit your RAW files. If you're using a third party editing software, then to my understanding having the NR turned on in-camera will have no effect on the photo. The third party softwares will ignore the in-camera settings on RAW files. So unless you use the software that came with your camera (in Canon's case, DPP, or Zoom Browser, etc...) it's uselss to have it on. At least the High-ISO NR settings. I'm not sure how LE NR (Long Exposure Noise Reduction) is effected by being in a third party software.
Generally no.
If you have a NR setting and you shoot in RAW, there should not be any noise reduction applied to that RAW image.
If you open the RAW image in Canon's DPP, it may automatically apply noise reduction. However, unlike a JPEG image, you can turn it down to none or set the default setting to not apply any noise reduction as default.
If you open it in LR or ACR, then it should also have no noise reduction in the RAW image.
Generally no.
If you have a NR setting and you shoot in RAW, there should not be any noise reduction applied to that RAW image.
If you open the RAW image in Canon's DPP, it may automatically apply noise reduction. However, unlike a JPEG image, you can turn it down to none or set the default setting to not apply any noise reduction as default.
If you open it in LR or ACR, then it should also have no noise reduction in the RAW image.
With the exception of Long Exposure NR. Because when that is turned on, it "takes another shot" for the same time as the first shot to find the "hot pixels" and clean them up. So in that sense in-camera NR is applied to a RAW image.
It is my understanding that even with High-ISO NR, in-camera, it is applied to a RAW image and shows results when using Canon's DPP software. But if you're using a third party editing software, such as LR or ACR, then that program will ignore that NR data.
Comments
The correct answer is "it depends". (The following relates mostly to Canon cameras but I think it would also apply to other manufacturers as well.)
If you read the information in this link:
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=1407
Some RAW converters are sensitive to the camera settings and will configure to provide automated output based on the camera settings, including high-ISO NR settings.
Many non-manufacturer RAW converters will not read the camera settings data and they will not apply automated NR.
I do think that long-exposure NR is applied to the camera capture and RAW files should reflect those results.
There is some anecdotal information and research to indicate that the latest Nikon and Canon cameras do apply some high-ISO NR to shadow areas that can not be turned off and is included in RAW files. It appears that this shadow NR is based on some kind of automated "masking" of dark regions, so it is likely part of the image processing engine.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Check out this thread here I started recently. Some great info...
I plan on doing a test soon in regards to this. I will be taking a few long exposure shots.
First with no NR in-camera turned on and no NR performed in LR2.
Second with High ISO ON in-camera, LE NR off, and no NR performed in LR2.
Etc...etc...etc... I'll also be taking photos at all different "standard" ISO speeds as well, (i.e. 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200) and comparing 100% crop noise levels with the varying NR techniques applied and not applied. It's gonna take awhile and a lot of shots, but I'm curious as to the effects. Fast shutter speeds, slow shutter speeds, narrow DOF, wide DOF, etc...
The only thing I won't be able to test is actual NR software such as Noiseware or Noise Ninja as I don't have any. Just LR2, CS3 and DPP.
OneTwoFiftieth | Portland, Oregon | Modern Portraiture
My Equipment:
Bodies: Canon 50D, Canon EOS 1
Lenses: Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5, Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8
Lighting: Canon 580EXII, Canon 420 EX, 12" Reflector, Pocket Wizard Plus II (3), AB800 (3), Large Softbox
Stability: Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 Tripod, Manfrotto 488RC4 Ball Head, Manfrotto 679B Monopod
But, to quickly answer your question, it effects both, just depends on the software you are using to edit your RAW files. If you're using a third party editing software, then to my understanding having the NR turned on in-camera will have no effect on the photo. The third party softwares will ignore the in-camera settings on RAW files. So unless you use the software that came with your camera (in Canon's case, DPP, or Zoom Browser, etc...) it's uselss to have it on. At least the High-ISO NR settings. I'm not sure how LE NR (Long Exposure Noise Reduction) is effected by being in a third party software.
OneTwoFiftieth | Portland, Oregon | Modern Portraiture
My Equipment:
Bodies: Canon 50D, Canon EOS 1
Lenses: Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5, Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8
Lighting: Canon 580EXII, Canon 420 EX, 12" Reflector, Pocket Wizard Plus II (3), AB800 (3), Large Softbox
Stability: Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 Tripod, Manfrotto 488RC4 Ball Head, Manfrotto 679B Monopod
If you have a NR setting and you shoot in RAW, there should not be any noise reduction applied to that RAW image.
If you open the RAW image in Canon's DPP, it may automatically apply noise reduction. However, unlike a JPEG image, you can turn it down to none or set the default setting to not apply any noise reduction as default.
If you open it in LR or ACR, then it should also have no noise reduction in the RAW image.
With the exception of Long Exposure NR. Because when that is turned on, it "takes another shot" for the same time as the first shot to find the "hot pixels" and clean them up. So in that sense in-camera NR is applied to a RAW image.
It is my understanding that even with High-ISO NR, in-camera, it is applied to a RAW image and shows results when using Canon's DPP software. But if you're using a third party editing software, such as LR or ACR, then that program will ignore that NR data.
OneTwoFiftieth | Portland, Oregon | Modern Portraiture
My Equipment:
Bodies: Canon 50D, Canon EOS 1
Lenses: Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5, Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8
Lighting: Canon 580EXII, Canon 420 EX, 12" Reflector, Pocket Wizard Plus II (3), AB800 (3), Large Softbox
Stability: Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 Tripod, Manfrotto 488RC4 Ball Head, Manfrotto 679B Monopod