Strange camera default pixel size/ratio?

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

03/20/2005 03:35:35 PM · #1

I'm using a Minolta Z2 4MP and the default pixel ratio for photos is 1704 x 2272. This is an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 for prints. Isn't this a strange ratio for default images?

It's not a problem when submitting for challenges, just resize to 640 keeping the ratio. The problem comes in when I want to produce prints. I'm having to resize to 1.40:1 (5x7) or 1.25:1 (4x5, 8x10) for common prints. Frustrating many times because to resize inevitably I need to crop something out or add a wacky border to get the correct ratio, and when I like the composition of the original...grrr.

Any thoughts, suggestions, on ways to work with/around this? Thanks.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

03/20/2005 04:19:27 PM · #2

Almost ALL digital camera sensors are in this aspect ratio (same as 4:3) -- it is based on the old video format.

That's why I almost always crop and/or border my print images first. There's a few places which will output this "digital-sized" print (4 x 5.4 inches) directly, or you can request that the print provider NOT use their crop-and-trim setting, but instead fit the print on the paper -- you'll have to trim off a white border.

ElGordo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Canon

03/20/2005 04:19:52 PM · #3

That is actually a 3:4 aspect ratio which is fairly common, being the same ratio as a standard TV camera. Some cameras permit the user to alter the framed ratio to 2:3, same as a 35mm film frame while others are fixed at the 2:3 ratio.

e301

03/20/2005 04:45:03 PM · #4

Do you not rather find that your images call for ther own aspect ratio when you edit them? I don't understand this desire to force one's images into sizes predetermined by the paper companies; just as I have no desire to print all the way to the edges of my paper. Can anyone explain it?

e

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

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

03/20/2005 04:53:05 PM · #5

Originally posted by e301:

That's why almost all my images are "bordered" -- I crop the photo however I want, and fill out the extra space to the next-largest print size. The "extra" can be trimmed off or covered by a mat.

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

03/20/2005 05:10:34 PM · #6

Ed asks "Can anyone explain it?"

Nope. That's why I'm a big fan of guillotines.

:o)

03/20/2005 05:56:57 PM · #7

Thanks Gordon...Thanks Paul. The answer on the ratio is most helpful, and at least I know I'm not alone! ;^)

03/20/2005 06:03:27 PM · #8

Originally posted by e301:

Ed, I agree with you on principle, especially for the photos I want to print for myself. In my case the "paper company" is DPCPrints. I'm trying to get some images in place to sell and the images must meet set aspect ratios. I believe extreme borders are also frowned upon as well at DPCPrints and perhaps unappealing to potential buyers.

Personally I think a border of 30-50 pixels wide is desirable to aid in matting/framing.

timj351

Sony DSC-F707

03/20/2005 06:11:33 PM · #9

I prefer the 4:3 ratio because it is an ideal 'in-between' setting for 8x10's and 4x6's. You never have to crop too much off for either format. I am also more critical about the more squarish 8x10 format than the 4x6 format so I wouldn't be as happy with the 4x6 format of the slr's. But I am pretty sure I could learn to deal with it if I were able to get one :) My rule of thumb is to allow just a little bit extra when I am taking the picture to allow for some different cropping options.

T