File Size

[Dkilla]

In my settings of my D7000, what file size creates the best enlargements?

 

[Mako2011]

In my settings of my D7000, what file size creates the best enlargements?

Can get no better than large, Fine and 14-bit RAW, lossless.

--
My opinions are my own and not those of DPR or its administration. They carry no 'special' value (except to me and Lacie of course)

 

[iljitsch]

Not exactly. Services that can make enlargements for you expect JPEG files. The reason to shoot in raw is that you can then take your time behind the computer adjusting settings for the conversion to JPEG rather than trust the camera to do this.

If you know you're not going to tinker with the image after the fact except maybe for some cropping then it's easier to shoot in JPEG. You then have a bunch of settings. Large = 4928x3264 fine and optimum quality give you the best quality files which are also, unsurprisingly, the largest.

Have a look at this blog post I did to see what happens if you go down in resolution or up in compression:

Nikon D7100 file sizes vs image quality

Remember that your camera shoots in a 3:2 aspect ratio, while enlargements often have different aspect rations (like 50 by 40 cm = 5:4 here in Europe) so your image may come out slightly cropped, so it's always a good idea not to frame too tightly. They also sometimes change the whitebalance, so you may want to try small prints first to see what you can expect and/or ask about this or read the service FAQ.

 

[blue_cheese]

hth

 

[Mako2011]

Not exactly.

So when is it better to shoot "medium" and "normal" (JPEG) when you think you might want the best quality enlargement?

Services that can make enlargements for you expect JPEG files. The reason to shoot in raw is that you can then take your time behind the computer adjusting settings for the conversion to JPEG rather than trust the camera to do this.

If you know you're not going to tinker with the image after the fact except maybe for some cropping then it's easier to shoot in JPEG. You then have a bunch of settings. Large = 4928x3264 fine and optimum quality give you the best quality files which are also, unsurprisingly, the largest.

Have a look at this blog post I did to see what happens if you go down in resolution or up in compression:

Nikon D7100 file sizes vs image quality

Remember that your camera shoots in a 3:2 aspect ratio, while enlargements often have different aspect rations (like 50 by 40 cm = 5:4 here in Europe) so your image may come out slightly cropped, so it's always a good idea not to frame too tightly. They also sometimes change the whitebalance, so you may want to try small prints first to see what you can expect and/or ask about this or read the service FAQ.

 

[Olaf Marzocchi]

Not exactly.

So when is it better to shoot "medium" and "normal" (JPEG) when you think you might want the best quality enlargement?

No, if you plan to print directly from the JPEG, you should set D7000 to save files not with "priority to size" but with "priority to quality" (check your manual, it's deep in the menus), then you choose "large" size and "fine" quality.

They will be in practice very close to the best you can achieve.

If you plan to do postprocessing, in 99% of the cases RAW 12 bit lossy is your choice.

I don't suggest 14 bit lossless because it is required in such extreme cases that if you were one of those, you would have the skills to choose by yourself without asking here (no offense intended).

 

[iljitsch]

So when is it better to shoot "medium" and "normal" (JPEG) when you think you might want the best quality enlargement?

If you know you're going to shoot something you're going to enlarge, shoot in large/fine.

Shooting medium/normal is useful to save space if you shoot a lot of photos that you're going to keep and you can't easily upgrade your computer's storage.

What I do is shoot raw + medium/normal. Then for most casual shots I throw away the raw file and keep the medium/normal JPEG. But for the special photos that may I want to postprocess or enlarge I can keep the full resolution, full quality raw file. This is especially easy on the D7100 (I assume also the D7000) which has two card slots so raw files can go to one card and JPEGs to the other.

 

[Mako2011]

Not exactly.

So when is it better to shoot "medium" and "normal" (JPEG) when you think you might want the best quality enlargement?

No, if you plan to print directly from the JPEG, you should set D7000 to save files not with "priority to size" but with "priority to quality" (check your manual, it's deep in the menus), then you choose "large" size and "fine" quality.

Your 100% right. Good tips. ...with enlargement in mind....large and fine, and as you point out, don't forget "optimal"...and 14-bit lossless when RAW

He did ask "what file size creates the best enlargements"...

They will be in practice very close to the best you can achieve.

Agreed

If you plan to do postprocessing, in 99% of the cases RAW 12 bit lossy is your choice.

I don't suggest 14 bit lossless because it is required in such extreme cases that if you were one of those, you would have the skills to choose by yourself without asking here (no offense intended).

He asked what was the best and 14 is better than 12 but I agree with your point. I only shoot 14bit when Highlight detail is critical and extensive PP is anticipated.

--
My opinions are my own and not those of DPR or its administration. They carry no 'special' value (except to me and Lacie of course)