Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

I'm interested in learning more about Interpolation Types. I've always settled on Hybrid SE because the user guide says it's based on the#1 best choice of Hybrid, plus it's faster and smoother.

I use an Epson R1800 and have been pleased with my results. However, I'm wondering if I should be choosing a different type of Interpolation Type based on the kind of photo, media, etc. that I'm printing.

So, I'm wondering, which Interpolation Type do you use?

Thanks.

The best way to check is to make a print using each type.
I use Hybrid. The SE is a little finer with no artifacts allowed. This is done for purity at the sacrifice of a slightly softer image.
Make two prints.
Fred

Speaking of which, here's a question (not too far OT, I hope) for Qimage users: When was the last time you "tested" Qimage by printing an image with NO interpolation?

I did, recently, by accident, when I was setting up a new printer.  The last setup step was a test print.  I stuck some of the sample 4x6 paper in the photo tray and picked an image (about a 15% crop) which I had previously printed 8x10 on the old printer.  At a quick glance, looked okay.  So I printed it 8x10 so I could compare apples with apples...and was absolutely horrified at the result.  Nowhere near the quality I had gotten from the old printer.

After 10 minutes of holding my head in my hands, I realized that the last thing I had printed from Qimage had been on plain paper, no interpolation, just to verify position.  Re-printed using Hybrid SE and got the quality I had expected.  The new print also confirmed that the HP B8550 was a distinct step up from the old Deskjet 9650...from which I got pretty good prints, using Qimage.

The difference between the no-interpolation print and the Hybrid SE print is painfully obvious.  I then went back and took a closer look at the no-interpolation 4x6 test print.  The difference doesn't jump off the page, as it does with the 8x10's, but it's easily visible upon close examination.

I've printed full-frame images at 8x10 with and without interpolation and have been hard-pressed to see the difference.  But if you're printing large, Qimage's interpolation makes an easily-visible difference.  Easy to forget that until you print without it.

I printed an image using both Hybrid and Hybrid SE and noticed no difference at 12"x16". The photo is a little soft to begin with, so I think I'll find a nice sharp photo and test it again.

It has been so long since I played with SE vs Hybrid, bit I think I recall that a severely cropped image set to print 12 x 16 might show the difference more readily.
Fred

It can be tough to see, actually.  You'd have to print a sharp photo with a lot of fine detail to see the difference.  If you have a portrait shot of someone with a ruddy complexion, some wrinkes, freckles, a 5 o'clock shadow, etc. and  you don't want to accentuate the fine details, SE comes out a little smoother/softer in those instances.  That's really what it was designed for.

Mike

Thanks for this info, Mike.

In the situation you describe, would this also be a good time to dial the Sharpness Equalizer to the max?  I've read your article on the subject, but I'm still not 100% clear on when and how much to use this feature.