How's this for a diabolical plot to get a low noise image?

Question

How's this for a diabolical plot to get a low noise image? Let's say someone wants to take a long exposure shot with their camera with the lowest noise possible. Would it be save to pack the camera near regular water ice or even some dry ice to cool the camera down? I haven't been dumb enough to try with my camera, but it is tempting.

Answer 1

It could work for hot pixels though I wouldn't go as far as to consider hot pixels as noise; hot pixels are hot pixels.

http://webpages.charter.net/bbiggers/DCE...

Cooling the camera wouldn't be beneficial if you're talking about reducing noise. Pixel density and the corelating size of each pixel on the sensor are bigger noise-causing factors.

Answer 2

I have no idea--but when it warms up, the water that formed by condensation could ruin it.

Bigger sensor usually gives cleaner photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/little_pook...

Answer 3

I'd advise against yielding to the temptation. Just use the in-camera noise reduction and if that isn't sufficient then use a program like Noise Ninja.

For long exposures use the lowest ISO possible. That helps to minimize noise. Make your long exposures as soon as you turn the camera on. Turn it off to allow the sensor to cool netween long exposures.

Your Owner's Manual should have warnings about long exposure times. Read them and heed them.