Might I ask those who suggest sharpening +1 what they do with the pictures later?

I take JPEGs (yes, I know they should be RAW), convert to TIFF, adjust levels as needed, crop etc.

Then two things tend to happen: 1) reduce image to websize with sharpening as needed, 2) reduce image size/sharpen as needed sending to online printing at 6x4.

It seems best (gut-feeling, not tested) to leave sharpening alone in the camera and do it at the final image size. How much difference does changing sharpening level in the camera create at the later stages I have described?

Michael

Tim,

Please can you develop the reasoning behind that comment?

I always reformat when I'm going to re-use a card, but it may be some time before it actually does get used. Are you suggesting it should be done at the actual point of insertion for re-use?

What exactly does a reformat do? I assume it puts any model specific information on to the card. Does it also wipe all data or just the directory?

Michael

I don't if it does make any difference, but is the battery the right way round?

It should be + towards the camera (ie opposite side to you when you check).

Thanks for responses. Think I'll go for the happy medium!

I understand the fins have two purposes - to stop it rolling away and to keep the air inlet off a dusty surface if stood vertically.

Michael

I'm about to get a rocket blower for use on K10D.

Big one looks like needing a fair bit of space when travelling, small one looks as though it might be a bit short of puff.

Any thoughts on which is best size for effective use, please?

Michael

I got mine from PC World Business where it is now £74.12 (I paid a bit more )

http://www.pcwb.com/catalogue/item/SAMDCA02

Don,

Given the subject matter I had assumed it was connected with kids' portraits, but it seemed prudent to check.

I'm always wary about commenting about style too much as tastes vary and there is a danger that well-meaning expressions of personal opinion lead to a horse designed by a panel of experts (or do I mean, in this case, run the risk of throwing the baby out with the bath water?). Having said that I agree that the three pics of the kid are too much and might prefer two - a large one with a small one, perhaps in a frame to demonstrate the product.

The size you are talking about is quite small, the image I get on my monitor is about twice the size of the finished product. That has implications for the amount you can get on the front and especially for legibility (UK parents are notorious for not wearing their glasses, don't know about Canada).

I know you will be putting detailed information on the back, but you can't guarantee that people will turn over so need to get three main points across: the product (mention kids' portraits), your name, a means of contact (perhaps only one given the space limitation - possibly phone number?).

The point has been made about contrast of type. The use of a serif face on this sort of background has implications for legibility, but I think use of a sans serif face would be quite inappropriate for this application, the feel is wrong. However if you have a defined typeface as your housestyle (which you should have) use that.

Michael

Given the purpose is promotion the question needs qualifying with some information about target group, what you hope to achieve with them, where you will use this image, for how long and so on. Looking at your website you appear to have a fairly wide client group, so exactly where is this aimed?

Surely the question should be 'what do you think the punters will think about this image?'

Michael

A quick check showed no exposure problems with a linear polariser on my K10D. Admittedly that was in the back garden rather than the sort of picture I would be most likely to use a polariser on so I will reserve final judgment until then, but I wouldn't envisage problems.

Michael

Chris,

Like you I've been struggling with this one. From what I can find out the auto-focus issue is less of a problem than exposure. Linear filters can cause 2-3 stops under exposure in some cases depending on the exact nature of the metering system.

What's happpening with your exposures? Like you I have just moved to K10D (but from Spotties) and find autofocus OK when playing, but I haven't fired in anger yet so don't know about exposure.

Michael