ACR 5.6 + 7D = Great!!?

[Neon Rosell II]

Looks like the ACR 5.6 Beta has answered the noise issue on the 7D. I tried it on the same raw file that Ka Mastah posted earlier and from the looks of it, it handled the noise quite well!!

No NR was applied on either, USM applied on the birds.
ISO 400
Here's using ACR 5.6


Here DPP was used to convert it.


Even with a bigger crop the one that was converted using ACR 5.6 is cleaner. But need to see how it handles ISO 640-1600 and higher???

[Tonji Ramos]

OK Neon. Noted, noise is not an issue anymore. Ate Tina its time.

[Romy Ocon]

Many folks at DPR knowledgeable on the 7D's RAW files (whose words I respect) are of the opinion that ACR 5.6 does a better job than DPP 3.7.2 in controlling the 7D's mazing phenomenon. I'm not sure however if these folks are saying that ACR 5.6 is better than DPP 3.7.2 in lowering regular noise.

I've played around with the said two converters on many 7D files, and it appears to me that:

1. ACR 5.6 converts 7D files with similar amount of regular (not mazing) noise as DPP 3.7.2.

2. ACR 5.6 does extract a bit more detail than DPP 3.7.2, and this is the same experience I have had with older EOS DSLRs when using both converters (of the same generation).

Here's a comparo of an Intermediate Egret shot, so you can judge for yourself. There are zero sharpening and NR applied in both conversions.

[Romy Ocon]

And here's a couple of higher ISO crops from my 40D that demonstrate pixel level noise that's acceptable to me (other's mileage might vary of course).

This is why I went to a larger sensor size (5D2) when I needed more MP for bigger prints - I wanted to preserve pixel level IQ in my bird captures. I had to compensate though for the "shorter reach" by using longer lenses and/or getting closer to the subject.


40D @ ISO 800 - 500 f4 + 1.4x, f/6.3, 1/60 sec, zero sharpening and NR, neutral picture style, unprocessed 100% crop from DPP 3.7.2, except saved as PS quality 10 jpeg






40D @ ISO 1250 - 500 f4 + 1.4x, f/5.6, 1/50 sec, zero sharpening and NR, neutral picture style, unprocessed 100% crop from DPP 3.7.2, except saved as PS quality 10 jpeg

[Toto Gamboa]

Mastah, based on images you processed, I prefer the quality produced by DPP. I think the noise issue is relative to any individual's taste. I still prefer a bit of noise rather than everything is almost flat out. Sometimes noise adds up to the photo's appeal. The 7D's noise to me isnt that excessive.

[Romy Ocon]

Nov 23, 2009 1:39:10 GMT Toto Gamboa said:

Mastah, based on images you processed, I prefer the quality produced by DPP. I think the noise issue is relative to any individual's taste. I still prefer a bit of noise rather than everything is almost flat out. Sometimes noise adds up to the photo's appeal. The 7D's noise to me isnt that excessive.

You're right, Toto - the level of acceptable noise depends on one's taste. FWIW, all tests I've seen indicate that the pixel level noise of the 7D is not much different from the 50D, but with much improved AF, more fps and HD video on the latter.