Dynamic Range and Exposure

Hi,
This is slightly off topic, but I'm hoping someone might be able to shed some light on issues that I'm experiencing with noise and and posterisation in the shadow areas of shots taken in dimly lit situations. The effect is most noticeable on indoor portait shots - and is common despite correct exposure information in my Canon 5D. I understand the need to bias exposures towards the right of the historgram to ensure maximum dynamic range, but I'm finding this quite challenging to accomplish in practice, without blowing out the highlights.
I'm using fast and expensive glass (e.g. EF24-70 F/2.8 L), and am lead to belive that the 5D has one of the best low light sensors around.
No amount of tweaking in Aperture seems to help (e.g. Chroma Blur) - so I'm running out of ideas (I've tried a variety of ISO settings etc. on the camera). Is this a case of camera technique ? Should I surrender to the flash - or is there anything else I can try.
Thoughts appreciated.
Paul

Hi Paul
Do you have an sample image uploaded some ware that I could have a look at.
I am making the assumption that you are shooting RAW. I am not studio based but have shot a lot of low light images with the 1D/1D MKII/s and I tested a 5D that I had on loan from Canon, the 5D is probably the best low light camera I have used so far.
One trick you may wish to try is running your image trough Noise Ninja!! This seems to pull detail out of the shadows as well as cleaning the noise.
Powerbook 1.5, PowerMac Quad, MacBook Pro   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

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