Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

I'm trying to figure out a way in which I cam print my lightroom files{16bit,prophoto tiff's} In Qimage?
Just started to use Lightroom,and I'm not exactly happy with Lightroom's print module.
My program of choice is Qimage.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks
MikeS

MikeS,
I'm not sure what you are getting at but Qimage should print your images ok. Qimage will convert 16 bit to 8 bit because many printers use 8 bit. If this worries you see Mike's article:
http://ddisoftware.com/tech/articles/december-2006-hype-or-hero-take-2-16-bit-printers
Terry

Terry,thanks for your reply.
This is what i'm try to do:Instead of using the print module in Lightroom,how do I access my prophoto files from Lightroom,and  send them to Qimage for printing?


MikeS

I know little of LR but like other RAW converters, I would think that you export to a folder and open the folder in Qimage.
Hopefully a LR user will chime in soon.
Terry.

That's what I do.  I have a "for printing" folder to which I export the completed images from either Lightroom or Photoshop.  You can also set up Qimage as an external editor in Lightroom.  You do it in Preferences > External Editing tab.  Then in Library or Develop mode you can then go to Photo > Edit In and select Qimage.  It drops it right in the queue.

Tom

OK Guys
That's exactly would I did ..set up a folder on my desktop

Thanks for patience/replies

MikeS

MikeS,
I was just wondering if you had seen the comparison layout that Mike Chaney did using Qimage Raw converter tools vs, Lightroom.
I think after seeing and evaluating what you see, you might entertain getting the hang of processing your Raw images using Qimage Studio edition.
Just click on the link below.

http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/quality/raw.htm

Thanks,
Fred

Fred
Thanks for your reply.

I am running the studio version ,but to be honest,I've been using DPP,the canon software that came with the 5D for most of my editing.
Lightroom was given to me as a gift,so,I thought I'd try it out...but,now you've thrown me a new curve{excuse the pun}
I will definitely take a look at the link you provided,and yes,this might be the answer I'm looking for ,as it will keep me using the full benefits of Qimage.

Thanks
MikeS

I use Qimage for my printing and am also very impressed with the raw conversion capabilities. I also use Lightroom for my raw file conversions. Attached is a test Qimage vs Lightroom. The conversions were done with limited pp mainly exposure correction and fill light. WB as shot and no tonal or color correction/ enhancement. The LR rendition is more vibrant but I believe the Qimage rendition is closer to reality. The resizing and some sharpening was done in the individual programs. The raw file is from an Olympus E510.

Lightroom rendition

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3706611423_429faecf5d_o.jpg)

Qimage rendition

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/3707423108_efa57b21f3_o.jpg)

Qimage rendition #2

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2658/3707051393_7045c32edf_o.jpg)

(I was typing this reply when I must have pressed a wrong key and it vanished.  My apologies if that nearly finished one shows up).

You can send a picture to Qimage if you set up Qimage as an external editor in Lightroom.  (This is done via Preferences).

When this has been set up, you can send Qimage the picture you have selected in Lightroom by clicking "Photo", then "Edit in" and then  "Edit in Qimage.exe".

This is fine for a single picture.  I suspect that if you select a set of images in Lightroom and follow the above steps, that set will be sent to Qimage.  (This is a guess: I have not tried it -- I find that exporting files from Lightroom and then running Qimage on its own much more convenient).

Denis,

Do you have the E-510 camera profile for Qimage or are you running Qimage without the camera profile?

Mike

I do not have a camera profile. The attached is another test.

Lightroom rendition

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/3707537366_e5b1ee16b7_o.jpg)

Qimage rendition

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2655/3706723957_38c60af9d3_o.jpg)

And this is from SilkyPix.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2037/3706802887_a3bb525807_o.jpg)

To my eye, the Qimage print seems not only more natural, but all the shadow detail is missing from the LR print.
About 2/3 down right side there's a red leaf. Below that red leaf all the detail is missing from the LR print.
I also have to ask if you used the auto exposure in Qimage, or did you use REFINE image?

Fred

Fred, I used Refine raw exposure and applied Fill it > 6. In create associated filter I applied unsharp mask R 1; S 85; SE 20, then resized. Those are the only adjustments I made in Qimage.

Thanks,
What camera? I think Mike asked about a camera profile?
Also curious about your settings in preferences Raw.
Thanks for the nice work, and your efforts for all to see.
Fred

The camera is Olympus E510 and the raw preferences are set to default except Working Color Space is sRGB.

Why not try ARGB. It is offered in Raw preferences?
Fred

I use aRGB when I am going to do a print and sRGB when posting on the web. I think I will investigate "Profile Prism" and see if I can create a profile for my E510 and E300. Hope its not to complicated the only thing I have done in this area is to Calibrate and profile my monitor using a Eye One Display2.

Dennis,
Mike has a special instructional email with the setting up for shooting the IT-8 in Raw mode.
Just post a request that you would liek to make a profile for the E 510 and I'm sure he will contact you. (Maybe not on Sunday, but he will)  ;)

Fred

Dennis,
That was premature on my part, sorry.
I just checked the ddi site and both those cameras are covered already; profiles made and for sale.
I think they are only 17.95.
Fred :-[

Dennis said:
In the past I did some comparisons using AdobeRGB and a custom profile in Q-SE raw processing. Just recently I did the same with sRGB and a custom profile and then converting the custom profile version to sRGB.
The difference is significant in my view, thus demonstrating the advantage of using a custom profile, even for web publishing.
Two versions of a sample image are shown below.

RAW processed with Custom profile converted to sRGB
(http://www.pbase.com/tjm04/image/114881171/original.jpg)

RAW processed with sRGB
(http://www.pbase.com/tjm04/image/114881173/original.jpg)

You can see more comparisons here: http://www.pbase.com/tjm04/compareicc
Terry

Thanks for the heads up, Last time I checked, several months ago they were not available. I will certainly make a purchase of the profiles.
OK the dead is done, just waiting for the profiles now.

Don't know about Lightroom, but from Adobe Bridge I simply click and drag the thumbnails from Bridge into Qimage. Brilliant!  Couldn't be easier!
Hope this works for you
Roger

I like all the examples.
Nothing like being able to see examples to what is being discussed!

Thanks to you all
Ya Me