M8 Sharpening?

[gurtch]

To me, sharpening is like "black magic". I now use a 1DSII, and use plug ins (Fred Miranda's 1DSII sharpening plug in made specifically for that camera), and PK Sharpener. I now have the M8. I understand very little sharpening is needed. I make 13"x19", 16"x24" and 20"x30" prints for sale. I now size, then sharpen before printing. Can someone who has worked with M8 files, and enlarged them as above, clue me in as to how much sharpening you have found is useful? I use Photoshop CS, and also have Alien Skin "Blow Up" and "Exposure", both of which have their own sharpening functions (which I have not used as yet).
Thanks in advance
Dave G. in NJ

[nscali]

Gurtch,
If you blow up to size first,using photoshop CS, increasing in size by increments of 10%,one at a time.
You will find you can go a long long way up.
Do your sharpening once you reach your final size.

Hope this helps.

Nicky Scali

[canlogic]

I use PK sharpen and do a capture sharpen then size etc etc. Final is an output sharpen again with PK Sharp, seems to woek very well. I have been useing the trial of Alien Skin blowup and will be buying it once the trial runs out.

[woodyspedden]

Originally Posted by canlogic

I use PK sharpen and do a capture sharpen then size etc etc. Final is an output sharpen again with PK Sharp, seems to woek very well. I have been useing the trial of Alien Skin blowup and will be buying it once the trial runs out.

This is also my workflow. PK Sharpener does a very fine job of both input capture sharpen and gives a number of options to sharpen for output prints. Some experimentation is needed to get what you are looking for but I believe it is a very worthwhile investment.

Woody Spedden

[gurtch]

Originally Posted by woodyspedden

This is also my workflow. PK Sharpener does a very fine job of both input capture sharpen and gives a number of options to sharpen for output prints. Some experimentation is needed to get what you are looking for but I believe it is a very worthwhile investment.

Woody Spedden

Thanks Guys. I have used PK sharpener (both capture and then output sharpen) and like it very much. I will try it with M8 files. I also have a Fred Miranda plug in which uses stair step to up res (much like the 10% incremental upsizing suggested). I also like "Blowup" which was suggested in the 30"x40" print thread.
Thanks again.
Dave G

[guy_mancuso]

The M8 files don't need a heck of a lot of sharpening if any sometimes but I am going to buy blow also for when that need for clients.

[Stevez4]

Buying blow for clients definitely increases sales.