What does lustre look like? - DPChallenge Forums

07/07/2004 06:06:39 PM · #1

I'm about to order some 12 x 18 prints from EZ Prints (same as DPC Prints) and I see the option for lustre in addition to glossy and matte. It is a little more expensive and I am wondering if it is a preferable quality or look then the matte. I don't want glossy for large prints. I am not certain what the lustre looks like and I would like some opinions from anyone who has chosen that type of print. If you feel it depends on the individual photos they are:

and

I have volunteered to donate these two framed prints to a local Make a Wish Foundation auction which is coming up soon and I want these to look good. I am not accustomed to selling or donating prints so if anyone has any other advice that might pertain to this please let me know. I also feel like I should sign them and any thoughts on that would be appreciated too. Thanks.

T

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/07/2004 06:10:49 PM · #2

Costco uses this term for their Fuji paper which I always thought was a matte finish ... what I get actually seems to have some sheen to it, but a subtle texture in the paper seems to reduce the glare effect.

Why not order the same print in 4x6 in each finish as a test ... see if they'll give you free shipping ot something.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

07/07/2004 06:11:22 PM · #3

Lustre is my personal favourite finish for most of my images (though it is quite image dependant)

It is half way between glossy and matte - perhaps something akin to the finish on an LCD laptop screen (just looking around my office)

It has a slight shimmer, but not the fully reflective nature of glossy, but still keeps shadow detail, unlike matte finishes. I use lustre finishes for most of the work I frame too - as glossy doesn't work so well under glass.

Glossy I keep for family album shots and shots of shiny subjects - cars, water etc that suit the extra gleam. - the rainwater shot might suit glossy actually. Test prints (4x6) is a good way to go though - cheaper in the long run than not liking the results. Also with EZprints its worth the test to be sure you like the colour rendition which I've found can be a bit variable.

Message edited by author 2004-07-07 18:13:03.

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

07/07/2004 06:12:26 PM · #4

So it's like Satin paint finish, yeh?

07/08/2004 01:15:06 AM · #5

Thanks guys, I think I will try out the lustre.

T

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/08/2004 01:34:20 AM · #6

Originally posted by timj351:

Thanks guys, I think I will try out the lustre.

T

I think you will be happy ... Be sure to let us know!
I don't even own an inkjet printer :)

Message edited by author 2004-07-08 01:35:07.

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

07/08/2004 03:07:12 AM · #7

Originally posted by timj351:

I also feel like I should sign them and any thoughts on that would be appreciated too. Thanks.

Definitely sign them. It adds value to them when they are auctioned and you deserve the credit for creating them, and for donating them.

07/12/2004 08:31:02 PM · #8

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by timj351:
Thanks guys, I think I will try out the lustre.

T

I think you will be happy ... Be sure to let us know!
I don't even own an inkjet printer :)

I got my prints back with the lustre finish and they look excellent. They beautifully reveal every single flaw in each of the photos :) 12x16 is right on the edge of how large I could go with these particular images. Too much bigger and they would not have looked as good. I'll be generous with the matting and framing and that should give them some visual impact.

T

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/12/2004 09:05:23 PM · #9

Originally posted by timj351:

I got my prints back with the lustre finish and they look excellent. They beautifully reveal every single flaw in each of the photos :)

Yes, sometimes it's nice to be able to say there must have been something wrong with the printer.

Where did you find the option for lustre? When I just went to post a new print, I still only saw the listings for glossy and matte.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/12/2004 09:28:32 PM · #10

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by timj351:
I got my prints back with the lustre finish and they look excellent. They beautifully reveal every single flaw in each of the photos :)

Yes, sometimes it's nice to be able to say there must have been something wrong with the printer.

Where did you find the option for lustre? When I just went to post a new print, I still only saw the listings for glossy and matte.

I went through EZ Prints directly. I was told by Drew or Landon or somebody who I thought was smart that DPC Prints use EZ prints as their printing source. I also have a seperate account with EZ Prints and I actual find it simpler to use for my own prints. You don't have to first upload a thumbnail image before you can upload the large version. Viewing them on the site is better too. I don't wish to take anything away from DPC Prints, I know that this site makes some money from their use but these are still my feelings. Convenience and ease of use is important to me.

A minor thing (I hope it is only minor) that I noticed with the lustre is that it is more tacky in feel than the other finishes so I thought I should take care that the prints don't attract too much dust or lint before I can get them framed. I am tempted to keep them unrolled so I can look at them but I know I should keep them in the shipping tube until they are framed.

T

paganini

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

07/13/2004 11:25:03 AM · #11

Somewhat off topic, but

Does DPC prints use professional paper??

(Professional paper have "copyright" notices imprinted on teh back of the paper (not printed by the printer). Fuji Crystal Archive papers have different grades, one of which is just amateur paper (so are all Costco prints)) Can someone look at the back of the print and let me know?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/13/2004 11:43:18 AM · #12

My framer commented that the West Coast Imaging print that I got her to frame was on much higher quality paper stock than a previous EZPrints print - both Crystal archive, so I would assume that no, they do not.

paganini

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

07/13/2004 12:03:16 PM · #13

Gordon,

the funny thing is, most pro labs like Millers or //www.mpix.com charges about the same price for the prints as DPC, but they use pro paper and professional ink. According to Fuji, they can only sell the lowest grade crystal archive papers to Costco, etc. and they come with a separate ink set versus the professional level.

I think West Coast is a little bit over the top for me :) Millers works fine. I can tell the difference by looking at the shadow/highlights areas of the prints... the Costco one is more contrasty and loses details in those areas, and the one on Kodak Endura professional paper from millers retain those details.

Funny thing is -- it cost $1.79 at Costco, and $2.00 at mpix for 8x10's. Not much difference in pricing.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/13/2004 12:08:14 PM · #14

Originally posted by paganini:

According to Fuji, they can only sell the lowest grade crystal archive papers to Costco, etc. and they come with a separate ink set versus the professional level.

What do you mean "ink set?" I thought these were photographic emulsions, exposed by (laser) light and developed in chemical baths ...

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/13/2004 12:13:50 PM · #15

I found west coast pretty reasonable for the pre-flighted prints. I don't use it all the time, but for things that are going to be on the wall for a while the difference in print quality is noticeable and worthwhile.

Anything 8x10 or below I just print myself on an R800. I noticed a the weekend quite how fast that printer is - I printed some black text on the 'economy' and high speed settings - thought it might shoot right across the room it left the printer so quickly...

paganini

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

07/13/2004 12:20:45 PM · #16

My fault -- i meant, the developing solutions, etc. aren't the same between the pro and amateur papers. Thus, you won't have the same quality from both papers. They designed it so that Costco can only print amateur paper, for example, even though there is only a small cost difference.

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by paganini:
According to Fuji, they can only sell the lowest grade crystal archive papers to Costco, etc. and they come with a separate ink set versus the professional level.

What do you mean "ink set?" I thought these were photographic emulsions, exposed by (laser) light and developed in chemical baths ...

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/13/2004 12:24:49 PM · #17

Originally posted by paganini:

Thanks for the clarification! At $0.14 for a 4x6 I guess I'll still put up with the lower-grade paper for most shots for a while.

07/13/2004 12:36:57 PM · #18

Originally posted by GeneralE:

What do you mean "ink set?" I thought these were photographic emulsions, exposed by (laser) light and developed in chemical baths ...

Or LEDs with some of the newer Chromira printers