Does Jessops Apply Sharpening?

[Steve P]

I guess this is really aimed at UK members. Call me foolish if you will be I took a CD Rom along to Jessops to order some 6x4 prints. Got them back and a lot of them look way to sharp. Horrid in fact! They look fine on the PC however so this got me think that perhaps they apply some sharpening their end.

Is this normal practice?

[Mike Brown]

I do not use Jessops myself but take mine to a local pro printer. he asked me to stop sharpening my images as his system always adds sharpening regardless of what I have created in photoshop.
I suspect it might be the same at Jessops as there would be a number of customer complaints if sharpening were not applied, and I doubt few of the public at large are competent enough to judge how much sharpening is needed.
I might suggest Pro Am imaging. They offer an excellent service at seriously rock bottom prices, its just that you have to do all the work and they print it, without extra sharpening.

Best wishes

Mike

[BARBARA LUKE]

I too use ProAm imaging.....Just give them a try you won't be sorry..... the only thing is the largest size they do is 18/12 ins...I also use another printers in Warrington for my larger prints they cost a lot more but there printing is excellent bpdphototech.com....
Barbara

[Steve P]

Thank you. I will give them a try!


Steve

[GaryB]

Another vote for Pro-Am :righton:

I have also used Jessops successfully. Did you size your images (to 1800x1200) before sending them? I sized mine (which were 7x5) and they were fine, but I suspect there may be variable results between branches....

[Ross]

When I took ours (Gary's and mine) into Jessops, I specifically asked if they did any manipulation of the images and they assured me they didn't. From the results, I'd say the only thing they had done was lost a few pixels all round - which only mattered for one out of over 200 shots, so wasn't the hugest issue in the world. I don't know if it makes any difference, but our branch does have some good people...

I've also used the people at Sainsbury's, and they did a very good job too!

Ross

[Steve P]

The differencies of people's experiences are interesting. Perhaps I apply to much sharpening before hand!

[Jacqui Jay]

This is probably a really obvious question, Steve, but have you re-calibrated your monitor recently? They do tend to slip 'n' slide.

[Steve P]

Jacqui

No I haven't. It was a total pain when I did it last time. Trying to keep the red green and blue all lined up was a total pain but I guess I need to do it again!

I need to speak to a printing lab re sharpening I think!

[Mike Brown]

I do not sharpen my images before they go to my pro lab. it is all done for me by them. Another stage less when processing my files. I have never had any need to complain about that from them. David Farnell is the lab in Lancaster. I can highly recommend them.

Best wishes

Mike

[robinp]

Can't say I've ever had any digital images printed on the High Street but I usually take my 35mm films to whatever Boots I happen to be near. Gave up asking for a CD of the negs because A/ the resolution was insufficient and B/ they are always oversharpened. All the Boots I go to have the same Fuji Frontier hardware but results are wildly variable depending on the skill and mood of the human operator. Now I just get the cheapest 6x4 package to help me decide which frames to scan.
I did try Gloucester Jessops a couple of times but the results were not at all encouraging!

Cheers, Robin

[Steve P]

Thanks Robin, so I'm not alone then! I put a roll of film through my old Nikon F100 a few months back just for fun more than anything else and again they were way too sharp. The guy behind the counter didn't have a clue and couldn't care less!

Steve

[robinp]

Thanks Robin, so I'm not alone then! I put a roll of film through my old Nikon F100 a few months back just for fun more than anything else and again they were way too sharp. The guy behind the counter didn't have a clue and couldn't care less!

Steve
Next time you shoot film Steve send it to The Darkroom - you can download a Freepost .pdf label here http://www.the-darkroom.co.uk/index2.html

Cheers, Robin

[Steve P]

Cheers Robin. I've book marked the site!