Noise reduction simply doesn't work for lower-exposed images

[seanhoytdotcom (Sean)]

I’m seeing the same old issue where lower-exposed RAW (Nikon Z8 in this case but all other cameras, too) will output a grid. I use Lightroom’s Enhance Noise Remove (left image) as a comparison which is a million times better. Not only the grid is visible but all shadows are destroyed. Happens in Denoise AI, too. Below is a screenshot of Adobe’s Noise Reduction on top, Topaz on the bottom.

Steps to reproduce issue:

1. Photograph something at lower exposure than necessary
2. Remove noise via PhotoAI with auto settings
3. Brighten image +5 EV

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Topaz Photo AI 1.5.3 on Mac 13.5

[tim.he]

@seanhoytdotcom Can you upload the original image file so I can run some tests on my end? Thanks!

[seanhoytdotcom (Sean)]

NEF raw file

_DSC0291.NEF

XMP for Lightroom 12.5

_DSC0291.xmp

It’s a file from Nikon Z8 taken in compressed High efficiency★

[tim.he]

Thanks for uploading that. When I imported it, it just gave me a black screen in the preview. Did you ever get that before with these file types?

[seanhoytdotcom (Sean)]

That’s because of lack of Topaz support for Nikon’s High Efficiency★ raw file off the Nikon Z8. You have to open the file from Lightroom or Photoshop Topaz integration.

[tim.he]

In the meantime, you can try using the Photo > Edit in > Topaz Photo AI workflow which will process a TIF instead of a RAW.

[seanhoytdotcom (Sean)]

I thought I saw that Nikon HE* was fixed but I’m not seeing that on my end in the latest update (today).

and the crop returns incorrect in addition to the terrible color rendering