A lot of noise at night

[HurricaneBob01]

I'm using a D80, and I've noticed that it seems to pick up a lot of noise in night photos, even with the ISO kept at 400 or less.

Am I missing something in the settings?

Thanks!

[jet_kit]

Other than the ISO, you're not telling us much about what you're doing. If you're making long exposures this can result in noise problems.
Why not post a few problem images up with all the relevant data (shutter speed, aperture etc.), so we can see what's going on.

[HurricaneBob01]

When I focus on objects that are close by, it's not an issue. It's particularly an issue with mountains / trees in the background of darker photos (sometimes the sky picks up a lot of noise as well).

Some of my photos from New Zealand come to mind. I'll try to post a couple later tonight.

[HurricaneBob01]

Jet,

I haven't had a chance to get to my NZ photos, they're on an external hard drive at home.

Looking through the ones I have on this computer, however, maybe it was just selection bias on my part. Very few of my photos have noise in them. From the ones that I do notice noise, it seems like that noise was introduced when I processed the photo.

[littlebro]

D80's are reputably noisy I know mine is and very often need anti noise programs in darker areas and have been sharpened which does increase noise. I did read somewhere that sharpening first then using the noiseware progs is best, try to stick with your ISO as low as possible.

[HurricaneBob01]

Thanks. I usually won't go above ISO 400. What software do you use to reduce nose?

[thefonz78]

You shouldn't really be shooting at 400 at night. This is not high enough for a quick exposure, so your got a unhealthy mix of high iso's and long exposures, no camera likes this. You should be on a tripod set at iso 100.

[littlebro]

Bob I use Noiseware Professional and Topaz De Noise with Topaz my favourite.