Software editing and interpolation

I have just received my K200d, and i also bought the WR 18-55 and 50-200 lenses. I want to try taking pictures in the RAW format and would like some advice on which software i should get.

I realise that there's a version of silkypics that comes with the camera, which i'm happy to use but i also want an interpolation programme. The interpolation being for the huge box of slides and negatives that i have. It also appeals in that i may wish to blow up to poster size anything in the future. The front runner interpolationally seems to be Genuine Fractuals which is a Photoshop plug in, which would mean having to buy Elements 8. So are is there any good stand alone interpolation software out there which compares to Genuine Fractuals. I'm quite happy to go down the Elements 8/Fractuals route if need be but given that i have RAW conversion software with the camera a stand alone interpolation programme make more sense.

Many thanks, Calum

I am not sure I understand why your slides need interpolation.

G

Look here:

http://www.photographers.co.uk/html/photographers-forum-1.cfm?ForumNumber=9716&T...

I understand why you would use interpolation for making much bigger images.

What I don't understand is why it would help with digitising slides.

G

Not but the OP said it was appealing to blow them up to poster size.

I used to get about 4000 pixels along the long side out of my film scanner, thats enough for 20x16 at least, just how big are you planning to print?

I haven't heard much discussion on this forum about interpolating up for large prints, but on other forums I have been involved with people swore by Genuine Fractals.

Read what he said again, Stefan.

G

If you want to upsize your files to make large prints then Photoshop will now do the job pretty much as well as Genuine Fractals will. Use a resampling method of Bicubic Smoother and results will be very impressive without the need for extra expense.

Should you need to downsize an image then using Bicubic Sharper will maintain the detail and sharpness better, especially when making images for the web.

Calum,

How are you intending to digitise your slides?

Many thanks for your replies.

I downloaded a trial of elements 8 last night and messed around with a few images. I was impressed. I also found the bicubic enlarger easy enough to get my head round.

I'm using a HP 4050 scanner for the slides and negs, but it takes an age to do. Sixteen slides at 600dpi/ppi takes about an hour and a half.