Converting raw files for printing

[Markraw]

Hello,

I've been using my S2 for sometime, but have only been using the photos for slide shows and the web. Now I want to convert the RAW files for printing. When I convert to TIF, can I convet at the maximum size and then resize in Photoshop 7.0 to the size that I want to print or do I have to convert to a smaller or larger tiff depending on the size that I want to print? I have to burn these to a CD and take them to a lab (that really don't know what they are doing and no, I can't go somewhere else because there isn't anywhere else available) so I have to have the files ready before I go. I have an Epson 760, so I don't think that it is up to A4 size quality printing.

Thanks,

Mark

[Tom Nolle]

It probably depends on what you're converting with, but if you use EX it's probably a good idea to convert to TIFF at maximum resolution, fix up the images in Photoshop as you like, and then resize for print.

Multiply your print dimensions by 300 to get a rough idea of how you want the resolution to be in the final image. If the result is bigger than the original S2 resolution, you'll have to interpolate to print, so you may want to use a package like Qimage. If your result is lower, then you can down-sample to the right print size.

Tom

[Markraw]

Thank Tom,

Fortunately, I found a photo shop that knew what they were doing. I did use EX (version 2.0) to convert to the largest size TIFF, fixed them in Photoshop and then resized to 8 x12. The print came out great! The files are HUGE (69 mb)! How large could I print with this size TIFF? What are the advantages of Qimage?

Thanks again,

Mark

[Tom Nolle]

The file size per se isn't the limiting factor in printing. In general, you have to allow 200 to 300 pixels per inch of print. Given the S2 resolution at the highest setting, that equates to about 16x20. However, it's often possible to interpolate to a larger size.

Qimage does internal interpolation for printing, and it's mostly useful when you have your own color printer and want to print an image at a size where the pixel dimensions of the crop you're using when divided by my 200-300 standard don't generate as large a print as you want.

Tom