Sunday, March 9, 2008

Why Do I Continue To Get Photo "Noise"


If I understand the digital photography term "noise" properly, I think this is one of my coin photography problems. I have noticed that when photographing my very dark and very light coins I get a visually garbled appearance. One solution I have tried with some degree of success is to soften the light by using layers of cotton material placed over my light(s). I would love to get feedback from all about this problem. If you have the same problem or if you have a solution, please share with me/us.

I use the Fuji S5000 to shoot my coins and I think I get some really good results with the exception of the situation I just mentioned. Fuji has just released a new point and shoot model that may possibly be the solution to my problem. The camera is the Fuji FinePix F100fd. The blurb I read spoke of digital cameras that blur a scenes brightest colors. Of course I am sure they are speaking of white and black as colors too.

Fuji's new P&S extracts more digital information from brights and darks and provides a wider range of values. The concept sounds great and I am excited that this may be new technology for all digital cameras. I think the camera is a bit on the pricey side at $380 at: fujifilm.com I am sure the prices will fall rather rapidly as most new digital cameras do. I am really excited about the new technology but that is as much as I know.

I am not in a position to know anymore than I am reporting at this point. I will try to call Fuji and see what else I can learn. Under no circumstances am I recommending the camera. If someone does purchase the camera or has purchased the camera , please share with us. I would also love for you to join our new CoinPhotography group and share with us. Of course you may be a complete newbie and that is fine too. Our URL is as follows: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CoinPhotography You have a standing invitation to join us. Thank you for reading and I look forward to your feedback.. God Bless.. Jerry..

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Any chance we can see a picture of the problem your encountering?

Bill Donovan said...

This looks really interesting. I have always prefered Nikons, I own a Fuji now because it was cheaper than the Nikon of similar features... Its macro feature in not the greatest, but I am curious to see how this new camera will do.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jerry,
Since softening the light (and therefore slightly reducing it by blocking some of it) makes your pictures clearer, this is probably not the cause of your problems. But for others...
A high ISO setting always causes noise. Many digital cameras have an Auto ISO mode. You camera will automatically select a higher ISO in lower light situations. So, people experiencing noise problems should first check their ISO, if it is high, lower it (just add more light). If you're camera is on Auto ISO mode, take it off.
-Hannah

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