Photobox enlargements question.

[stuart b]

I'm trying to get some bigger prints from Photobox. At 300 dpi (or 254 dpi) for their larger print sizes, I will need more pixels than my D70 delivers.

So the question is...should I upscale/interpolate them in Photoshop (which I've done) or let their machines do it. Photobox support say not to interpolate, but it would be great to hear from anyone who has done this.

I'm trying out 10x7 (which is near enough native res.) 12x8, 18x12 and although I think it will look bad, 30x20 for fun.

Thanks
Stuart

[speedychrissie]

i havent used photobox for large prints but i have used pixum (as they were cheaper at the time). the 18*12 prints from pixum all look great from a single D70s photo.

as for interpolation, i dont know. i would probably let the printing machines do it though, as they should know better what is best for printing.

Edited by speedychrissie on Sunday 18th February 15:10

[GetCarter]

30 x 20 look great from a D2X. Never tried one from my D50, but I bet they'd be fine.

And yes, I upload as jpg without messing with the size.

Steve

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 18th February 15:15

[stuart b]

Great - thanks. That simplifies things

Stuart

[bd02]

On a similar theme... I haven't used online printing before but I'd like to. Thing is that I crop many of my photos.. often not at 6x4 or 7x5 dimensions. Presumably the online firms can't work magic on cropped photos and I will simply get either a portion of the cropped image or the whole image but with white bits around it.

Can anyone advise whether my assumtion is correct?

Also I'm sure this has been asked before but is there a concensus on the best / cheapest / most reliable firm out there?

Many thanks

Edited by bd02 on Sunday 18th February 16:35

[Gemm]

bd02 said:

On a similar theme... I haven't used online printing before but I'd like to. Thing is that I crop many of my photos.. often not at 6x4 or 7x5 dimensions. Presumably the online firms can't work magic on cropped photos and I will simply get either a portion of the cropped image or the whole image but with white bits around it.

Can anyone advise whether my assumtion is correct?

Yes.

But you can have the images to be printed in exactly the same size/proportion without getting cropped or shrunk. For example, you have a 6x4.7in image. You just have to put the image on a 7x5 white background, then order a 7x5 print, then cut off the white bit when you receive the print.

[chris.mapey]

I have a 30 x 20 from Photobox, taken on my D70. Looks great.

HTH

Chris

[stuart b]

bd02 said:

On a similar theme... I haven't used online printing before but I'd like to. Thing is that I crop many of my photos.. often not at 6x4 or 7x5 dimensions. Presumably the online firms can't work magic on cropped photos and I will simply get either a portion of the cropped image or the whole image but with white bits around it.

Can anyone advise whether my assumtion is correct?

Also I'm sure this has been asked before but is there a concensus on the best / cheapest / most reliable firm out there?

Many thanks

Edited by bd02 on Sunday 18th February 16:35

UPload a pic to Photobox and have a play. You'll need to register but then you can put it can put it in your basket and you'll see how the tools work for choosing the different sizes and crops. There are quite a few options, but essentially yes, you're right that it can't work miracles. Even with uncropped images I find that I either have to crop or add black bars on some pics depending on which szies I choose (lots of different aspect ratios).


Thanks everyone for the tips on my enlargements - I'll have a go and see how I get on.

Edited to add that I've just had a look at Pixum for the first time. £5.55 for a 30x20 compared to £18.99 for Photobox - any downsides?

Stuart

Edited by stuart b on Sunday 18th February 19:13

[speedychrissie]

stuart b said:

Edited to add that I've just had a look at Pixum for the first time. £5.55 for a 30x20 compared to £18.99 for Photobox - any downsides?

just to reiterate what i said above: pixums enlargements are great. i got 7 12*18" ones for christmas presents (some were presents to myself) and they really are excellent.

[Piglet]

There are a couple of discount codes for Photobox, I used the buy one get one free for enlargements the other day and saved £30.

www.hotukdeals.com/?merchant_filter=135&order_by=Newest

[_dobbo_]

I have a 30x20 print from a D70 image which is not even full frame, it was a 1964 x 1212 crop. Looks great, no pixellation at all.

[stuart b]

Thanks all. Speedychrissie - thanks again; should have said it was your tip above that made me look at Pixum.

Thanks Piglet for the discount code - will check that out for sure.

Regards
Stuart

Edited by stuart b on Monday 19th February 11:50

[VxDuncan]

Just had a couple done from foto.com 30x20 are £4.89. Quality is great though delivery took 2 wks + and they came from france! They were both cropped from the 300d. Very happy with the results...

[beano500]

Photobox!


Order Confirmation

Photobox said:

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 19:44:18 GMT

Order Dispatch

Photobox said:

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 07:02:49 GMT

for about 100 prints!

Good stuff!

[Gemm]

Yep, I'm always impressed with the speed of their service.

[SGirl]

Gemm said:

Yep, I'm always impressed with the speed of their service.

I ordered 66 prints at 19:23 on Thursday night, the confirmation of dispatch was sent at 19:53 the same night!

Their 30x20s are pretty good. I got prints from a shot taken with the D70s, no pixellation at all.

[poah]

just upload the pic and they will do the rest. you don't have to interpolate