1D MkI - do I need to uprez files?

[peterm1]

I am awaiting the arrival of a used 1D mk1 camera this week, and have a question about uprezing and whether it is necessary or advisable.

I have been using the 10D and printing using Qimage up to 8.5x11. My understanding is that Qimage automatically temporarily uprezes the file to suit the size print you specify, and does a good job of it. I have never uprezed a 10D file on my own since I never saw the need to.

So for the 1D mkI, as long as I follow this procedure and print 8.5x11 or smaller, is there any reason I would ever want to uprez a file?

What about cropping? Since my biggest concern with the 1D is that I won't be able to crop as much as I did with the 10D, will uprezing become critical when I want to crop a shot by a lot (say 50%)? If so, should I do the Photoshop 110% method to increase the file size by 50%?

I assume that if I want to send a file to an online printer for a bigger enlargement like 16x20 or 20x30 or something, I would want to uprez the file somewhat, but how do you know how much to uprez to get an acceptable print at those sizes?

Thanks!

Peter

[slin100]

I have been using the 10D and printing using Qimage up to 8.5x11. My understanding is that Qimage automatically temporarily uprezes the file to suit the size print you specify, and does a good job of it. I have never uprezed a 10D file on my own since I never saw the need to.

So for the 1D mkI, as long as I follow this procedure and print 8.5x11 or smaller, is there any reason I would ever want to uprez a file?


There is certainly no lack of opinion in this matter. I would say that there are two prevailing opinions with regard to upsizing.
1) Don't upsize

This makes the print driver upsize the image to the printer's native resolution. Critics claim that this is not ideal because the driver's interpolation routines are unknown and possibly suboptimal.

2) Upsize to x dpi

Within this category there are two subcamps.
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a) Upsize to achieve somewhere between 200-300 dpi

Depending on the size of the original image, this may be as simple as changing the dpi setting in the file and not altering the image data at all, or it may require resampling the image. In either case, critics claim that the print driver must still interpolate the image to the printer's native output resolution.

b) Upsize to the printer's native resolution

This is what Qimage does. The native resolution of most consumer Epsons is 720 dpi. High-end Epsons are 360dpi and Canon is 600dpi. You can upsize using Photoshop, as well.

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What about cropping? Since my biggest concern with the 1D is that I won't be able to crop as much as I did with the 10D, will uprezing become critical when I want to crop a shot by a lot (say 50%)? If so, should I do the Photoshop 110% method to increase the file size by 50%?

Since you are using Qimage, it is already upsizing the image for you using a well-regarded interpolation algorithm. My suggestion is to try it on a cropped 1D image and see if you are happy.


I assume that if I want to send a file to an online printer for a bigger enlargement like 16x20 or 20x30 or something, I would want to uprez the file somewhat, but how do you know how much to uprez to get an acceptable print at those sizes?

If you are happy with Qimage's methology and you want to follow it, then you will want to upsize the file to the printer's native resolution. I believe Noritsu and Frontier printers are 300 dpi. Just use Qimage to upsize the file. For example, if you want a 16x20 @ 300dpi, then the image must be upsized to 4800x6000 pixels.

[KennyG]

I'll reply as a 1D owner who supplies images for magazine print as well as doing his own, up to A3 (11.7x16.5).

You can comfortably print immaculate images to A4 with Q Image. Don't mess about with DPI and up-sizing in PS. You will get brilliant results from Q Image alone.

If you can stretch to it, get Capture 1 Pro. Shoot in RAW (best anyway with the 1D), up-size by 125% in the conversion and you can then happily print to A3 with no discernable artifacts using Q Image.

I upsize by 130% for magazine submissions and they are more than happy with the results. It does add a small amount to the work flow but the end results are worth it. I am not at all keen on the look of up-sized Jpegs and, as the RAW files are comparitively small in the 10D it is better to shoot RAW anyway.

[drisley]

KennyG, great idea!
I have both C1 Pro and Qimage, and I've never thought about upsizing the Raw file first.
So, in your experience, upsizing the Raw first, and then using Qimage gives better results than just outputting at 100% and then using Qimage?

[KennyG]

Yes, absolutely. I have carried out various tests and it is without a doubt the best way. I have some examples here of my published images in a good quality magazine and they are are really sharp and faithfully reproduce the originals.

Be warned, it produces 18-20mb files, but if you have enough disk space that should not present a problem.

I am working on the last of my weekend shoot as I type. These are the 'fillers', images that are themselves very good but the subject matter may not be of reader interest. Thank goodness the publishers accept DVD!

You will love the 1D. Images are very sharp in comparison to CMOS cameras and are quite 'agressive'. I have a MK-II on order, but I would love to get my hands on another MK-I. I bought mine new and I curse Canon every day for stopping production.