Ixus V3 for a better result

Dear all,

I have a question, please help me.

I just bought an Ixus V3 and it's really exciting for me. I still using standard CF 16 MB.
Every time I took a picture always use L (Large) and S (Super Fine). I printed it at the nearest photo store near my house and always make it to 4R. If I change from L to M1 (Medium1) or M2 (Medium2) or S(Small) but the compression still using S (Super Fine), will it take effect to the result if we print it to 4R or it's still better use the L (Large) one, because the L use the memory much more then the 3 other size.

Thanks Pal.

Pal,

New camera, lot of buttons and settings, lots of questions (like what is 4R?). I suggest you take a picture with all settings of the same subject(s) and print them. Then compare the results and choose the one you like best. I would always go fo the largest with the least compression.

Good luck.

Hi Henk,

Thanks for the answer, 4 R means the size of the picture as the same as the size of postcard.

Voltus,

Think you will hardly see the difference on that format, but what happens if you have a great shot and want an A4 on the wall? Stick to the largest format!

Henk

I found for myself, after I did several test shots with my v3 that it's better to to use Large format and Fine compression (saves a lot of space in you flash card) but you do not have visual difference when you print in 300 dpi.

Thanks AndreyD for the reply,

But I don't know how much dpi that usually the photo store use to print my photo.
I think that is more than 300 dpi, is it correct? Then I should use the largest and superfine to make a better result. Is it correct?

I've heard several times that human eye not really see better then 300 dpi. And this is usially standart for printing pictures in general lab (in deziners lab they probably do more dpi).
So it means that to get targeted 300 dpi you will get this formats:
1051õ1500 - 9x13
1205õ1795 - 10x15
1500õ2102 - 13x18
1795õ2598 - 15Õ21
2398õ3602 - 20Õ30
2398õ3000 - 20x25
First numbers - resolution in camera (i.e. 1051x1500)
and corresponding picture format (sorry it's in santimeters)
With this formats you will prit exellent picture quality.

And again, never heard in digital labs here in Moscow that they do more then 300 dpi, not only if you doing business with glossy magazines.

Thanks a lot, it seems you're reaalt a pro.
So, what do you think for general conclusion for Ixus V3?
Is it a very good camera or just a common camera?

I am really new for digital photography but have an extensive experience with conventional cameras.
v3 is my first and it took couple of weeks and extensive discussions with my friends and in Internet to decide what to buy.
Finally I took v2 from my colleague for a weekend to play with it and I made a decision
Several factors:

1. The design, size and how it feels in hands, metal case - this is unbelievable, you just want to take it with you everywhere and it's easy to do, it's so small! Will be convenient especially during my upcoming vacation trip.

2. The quality. I am not going to spend much time trying to print large pictures, or doing some miracles with artistic design and so on .... I just need quality 10x15 or 13x18 pictures (if I will print some of them) and v3 do a very good job with it! Surprisingly it has a lot of settings, which you can alter manually, exposure, long shutter speed, white balance, some effects, very accurate artificial intelligence auto focus (which you can switch off, the same principle with exposure control, exposure and focus locking possibilities, and so on and so forth ... very intelligent and very small camera. So far I love it!
I did several test pictures in a digital lab to find out if I notice different compression on print pictures. With 256 megabyte card you can shoot about 151 Big Superfine (biggest size and lowest compression) pictures, if you change to Big Fine (Biggest Size and moderate compression) – 270 – this is a difference and it will be convenient for me for a two weeks vacation (do not want to buy additional CF card now). So the result – I did not noticed quality changes when printed in the same format Big Superfine and Big Fine pictures.

AndreyD thanks a lot.

Hope you have a nice vacation trip.

I just got back a 12X8 print of a macro shot i took on my Ixus v3 and it is great ! no loss of quality what so ever !

Shame i cant say that about the rest i ordered !

5 1/2 weeks to arrive from Max Speilman online order in the UK ! and there rubbush quality ! Good job they did them for free after i complained about the delay ! Wait till i ring em up 2moz and ask for another set as there all too dark except for 4 of em !

I use Max settings as i got a 256 CF card and norm get about 150 - 160 on it at full spec ! Like is sed above use max and you can always downgrade em in art package as you cant do the opposite with them !

I should say that this is a general problems for now in almost all digital labs. No guarantee that you will get something good. Sometimes it darker, sometimes too bright, sometimes colors are wrong ... the general advice I've heard - try different ones, do a test pictures and use them. And better be there personally, operator, which prepare you pics for printing have to show any corrections he does with your pictures (if any) or listen to your advices.