FS7: Noise Suppression in FS7 ver 3 firmware

Chris Johnston

Chris Johnston

Veteran
I'm using Cine Ei.cine slog3 as kind of a "default" setting. (I'm setting up/tuning the cam to start using it all the time now)
They added noise suppression to this mode now and I'm wondering if anyone has been using it, and what settings are they using under what conditions...

I haven't had time to test this myself with this cam so I'm hoping someone else has put in the hours and would care to share any test results they may have come up with. (recommendations? none, fix in post, low, med , high?)
 
I use the medium noise suppression in CineEI, has been working great for me and wouldn't shoot without it. I'm curious as to how blurry it looks on high suppression, haven't checked myself yet...
 
I use medium noise suppression with successful results. Just seems like the right amount for most of my needs. I know some people have tried High and it works well. I like just a little grain to my image though.
 
I did some extensive testing when the firmware first came out, and found that the High Noise suppression didn't soften the image over the low (or medium) by any noticeable amount. I still shoot with it off, because I prefer to do my noise suppression in post, where the results are slightly better. If I had to do quick turnaround or hand-off footage, I wouldn't hesitate to use the high setting.
 
I had a hard time pulling the fs7 noise out with neat video. which noise suppression software are you using?
 
ChristopherA said:
I did some extensive testing when the firmware first came out, and found that the High Noise suppression didn't soften the image over the low (or medium) by any noticeable amount. I still shoot with it off, because I prefer to do my noise suppression in post, where the results are slightly better. If I had to do quick turnaround or hand-off footage, I wouldn't hesitate to use the high setting.
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Hey Christopher,

Haven't seen your testing (did you post the results anywhere?), so I'd be happy to be proven wrong, but your conclusions re: 'high' hoise suppression settings don't quite add up to my own. Did you include any motion in your test shots?

I find that NR in general tends to struggle most with changing (i.e. moving) image data, and the more aggressive the NR, the more apparent the artifacts become. I think perhaps the ultimate testing palette would consist of moving water or similar high-frame-differentiation imagery.

Hmmmmm... just been sitting out by a night-time river in Osaka. Maybe I'll pop out again in the next few days and try some shots at low/med/high NR and post the results myself - rather than just spouting my opinion and leaving it at that!

Thanks anyways for your input.

jason
 
Jason,

Right after the Firmware v3 came out, I did my tests and posted on this forum. If you search back, I'm sure you can find the thread. The shots in which I tested the NR were fairly static, so it's distinctly possible that you'd see problems in motion. Like I said, I keep it turned off and handle the noise in post.

mrchirster — My software of preference is Davinci Resolve. I'm using it for color, so it's quite convenient, and the noise suppression is great.

As always though, the best way to reduce noise with the FS7 is to overexpose by 1 stop.
 
I'm not sure what noise you're getting if you've exposed an image correctly.

I leave it off. NR is something to do selectively in post.
 
Ben Scott said:
I'm not sure what noise you're getting if you've exposed an image correctly.

I leave it off. NR is something to do selectively in post.
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... it might also depend on what/how you're shooting. A lot of what I shoot is obs doc, and if you're following a character into a dark environment, then sometimes you are forced to resort to an 'incorrect' exposure, or adding gain/raising iso. In these situations in-camera NR can be really beneficial, esp. given that obs doc rushes are often LONG, and NR in post is not very practical.

In my work I use in-cam NR rarely, but when I do, I'm really glad to have the option!

-jason
 
Ben Scott said:
I'm not sure what noise you're getting if you've exposed an image correctly.
Click to expand...

In EI indeed a good exposure makes a nice noise free file..

However in EI it is not always possible to expose the image 'correctly'

Consider HFR nd implied short shutter times, dull day (or evening) and a T4 lens and you are in the low zone with your WFM, then it might be worth engaging NR. (or custom Slog3)

As to which and when Ive not had time to test..

S
 
Noise Supression in FS7 is really, really good. Do not hesitate to use it when you need it. Detail loss is minimal even at high setting.
 
I appreciate people have different requirements and also different opinions on what constitutes 'good' but for me it's another button I don't go near, along with 'custom'.

As I said, if you expose an image properly you don't need NR, but obviously there might be some situations where you can't expose an image properly for whatever reasons.

Even then I wouldn't use the built-in NR which is a broad paint roller when you need a fine brush.

I've shot plenty of docs and factual pieces. Adding selective NR with dedicated tools to the few shots that need it in a 1hr piece probably take less than 20mins.
 
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