M8 File quality and Image libraries

[washy21]

I don't want to name the particular libraries, but just recently I approached several arty based libraries and to cut a long story short they liked my images but asked me to supply test files so they could determine file quality.

I explained that I used two cameras: A Canon 1DS and a Leica M8. Basically, I received a reply saying that the files were not good enough as they required a minimum file size of 50MB at 8 Bit without interpolation.

So this rules out a lot of cameras not least the M8. I know that other stock libraries accept other filed dimension, but following further research it seems that many stock libraries require 50 Meg files.

What are others thoughts in paticular relation to the M8.

 

[Dan States]

Up rez your files to 50mb and resend them. They are morons.

 

[aad]

I don't think they understand what they're asking...

 

[AGeoJO]

Up rez your files to 50mb and resend them.

That's what I would suggest before even reading your response 🙂

 

[chuckcars]

What do you think the other photogs are doing, buying medium format backs? Uprez and submit.

 

[StuartR]

What camera puts out 50mb files other than MF backs? You wouldn't get too many shots on an SD card with a 50mb raw file. Whoever started that rule is not with the times. That may have made sense (but not really) when all their submissions were drum scanned slides, but with digital it does not make sense. I am with the rest, just uprez and send.

 

[AGeoJO]

Stuart,
Converted 16-bit tif files generated by the 1DsMarkII are almost 100MB (around 97 actually) each. Before conversion, the RAW files are approximately 16-17MB.

 

[StuartR]

I just went to Capture One to check it out, and converted M8 files are 60mb at 16bit. Of course, 30mb at 8bit. And the DMR Yeah, and the DMR raw files are 20mb each and convert to about the same. Anyway, it just seems to me that it is a totally arbitrary measure of a camera's quality. As cameras get better, their file handling is more efficient. Look at the M8, it has quality that is as good or better than the DMR, but the RAW file is half the size due to better compression. When converted, they are the same. But anyway, you can scan a neg from a half frame camera with a high rez scan and easily get a 50mb file, does that mean it is better than an M8 or 1Ds? Not likely...

 

[washy21]

Up Rezing

Up Rezing

That's what I would suggest before even reading your response 🙂

I've sent an email to one of the libraries politely asking for them to expand on their policy of requiring 50 meg files (8 bit) I've also pointed out to them that most of their contributors are either very rich or using interpolation to achieve the file size.

I can say however that in my first communications with them they explicity said that if a digital camera was used then it must be one thats native file size is of 50 Meg.

I'm with everyone else here in thinking that they just don't know what the situation is.

:bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang:

 

[sirius]

How would you send that to them? Not by email...I wonder how big the m8 files are when you save them as a .tif file as opposed to a .jpg file? Did you ask them what cameras their contributors are using? It seems like an artificial way for them to cull the amatuer-with-a-new-DSLR submissions. I would think they would evaluate your work on it's artistic and production values rather than file size. The M8 can certainly make gallery quality photographs, perhaps better file size-quality than many photos currently in galleries!

 

[washy21]

How would you send that to them? Not by email...I wonder how big the m8 files are when you save them as a .tif file as opposed to a .jpg file? Did you ask them what cameras their contributors are using? It seems like an artificial way for them to cull the amatuer-with-a-new-DSLR submissions. I would think they would evaluate your work on it's artistic and production values rather than file size. The M8 can certainly make gallery quality photographs, perhaps better file size-quality than many photos currently in galleries!

I sent the files by Disc and as TIFF. And yes the strange thing is that there was interest in my work from an artistic perspective. I did express my dissapointment as well.

What can one do other than move on ;-)

 

[fgianni]

When libraries require a certain size in MB, they usually mean 8bit uncompressed TIFF.
Even so in tems of pixels 50mb/3 (24 bit per pixel) = 16.7 Mpixels
AFAIK only MF backs can reach that kind of resolution, even the 1DSMK2 falls (marginally) short.

 

[washy21]

I suppose what these particular libraries are guarding against is the up rez-ing of files that have no inherent quality to begin with.

For instance - say I took a photo with my M8 and heavily cropped into it, leaving only an 8 meg file then I re sampled it to reach 50 Meg. On that basis they have a point because reproduction at certain sizes would be awful, but somehow I think that quality of file should be determined in other ways.