DSLR Processing Using Flat-Darks?

[jimwaters]

I currently use Lights, Darks, BIAS and Flats where Flats are calibrated against BIAS to process my DSLR images.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU5jJgjKuQQ

What's the net gain between my current method and (Lights, Darks, Flats, Flat Darks)?  Is there a noticeable improvement visually and is post-processing noise reduction easier?  Most of the people I know are still using the first method.  How does Dithering impact doing it one way vs. the other?  Also; if I use a lower noise DSLR (6D or 7DMkII) does this influence my selection between the two methods?

I am open to changing my methods but I would like to know the net gain and why.

[RickS]

It's probably not going to make a visible difference unless you are doing long duration flats or have a camera with a lot of thermal noise.  Why not try it and see?

[jimwaters]

BTW - My Flats are no longer than 0.5 sec most of the time.

If it ever clears up in Arizona I plan to test both methods.  After I get a good data set I will process each with PI using the same steps / parameters.  Other than visual differences I am not sure how to quantify the noise difference.

[RickS]

Using flat darks will actually result in a small addition to total noise in the master flat which will flow through to the calibrated lights.  There is shot noise associated with the dark current in each flat dark.  Stacking will reduce this but it won't eliminate it entirely.

The advantage of using flat darks is that the master flat will be calibrated more accurately in terms of removing the dark current.  That means that flat correction of the lights will be more accurate.  Once again, this may be a small effect.

Cheers,
Rick.

[acmalko]

Hi,
I have a canon EOS 30D with ampglow, I have a big improvement using Flat-Darks vs bias: no more ampglow on the final picture (t=1/10s)

I'm not sure at this moment but it seems to correct also canon banding because I don't need anymore to use the script "Canon banding removal" since I use Flat-Darks.

Make your own experience, it's easy

[jimwaters]

My DSLR's are a Ha modified 6D and 5DMkIV.  I use a friends 7DMkII from time to time.  These camera's have less noise compared to others.  I will try to process images both ways and compare the difference.

If it corrects Canon banding this would be a game changer...