wrote in message
What is the difference between grain and noise? Do digital images have both? Do both terms mean the same thing in the contexts of film and digital?
Thanks,
Ron
Here is my understanding. Your opinion will vary. Everyone is entitled to their own stupid opinion.
Grain is a film issue. Noise is a digital issue.
The sensor in a digital camera is of course an electronic device. It generates a certain amount of noise. The signal from the sensor is analog. It is then converted to digital. The ISO (ASA for us olde folks) setting is the gain setting for that analog signal. Higher ISO means more gain. More gain means the noise is also amplified. If the light is low, then the signal (light) to noise ratio is low, and the noise will become more noticeable.
Some cameras do better than others in dealing with this noise issue.
The bottom line is, use a fast lens and a low ISO setting.
There are programs available that do a fairly good job of masking noise.
Ok guys, flame away.