Prints for Small Cameras... Huh?

dmc

Ok, I've seen this talked about here before but now it has hit home. My brother was trying to order a print, and he couldn't do it because he couldn't set the size to 8x10 like he wanted... he said it the screen said "4 dash something, 5 dash something, 8 dash something" I didn't know what he was talking about.

So later I tried it and noticed the "Prints for Small Cameras" and the print sizes where 4 X D, 5 X D, 8 X D, etc. What? This makes no sense. Why would anyone buy a 4XD sized picture? What size it that anyway? I don't remember seeing any 4 X D frames for sale at Target. The resolution of the pic he wanted was plenty for an 8 X 10. I know I wouldn't order an 8 X D.



Yes, "small" cameras and "standard" cameras have diff aspect ratios...so what? It doesn't matter because 4X6, 5X7, and 8X10 are all diff aspect ratios as well... All choices, regardless of the camera, may need cropping.

Please remove the "Prints for Small Cameras" option... no reason for it.

Yes, I know you can switch the product: to Standard Prints... shouldn't that be the default? Wouldn't most everyone expect "Standard Prints" sizes? Yeah, my brother didn't figure it out... it's his fault huh?

wow, that was a cranky rant....:twitch

That's what I love about Smugmug... you can actually bring up an issue, and they actually read it! I'm cool, its ok... :

DodgeV83

Not sure what you meant by "switch the product", but if your a pro user you can go into your portfolio pricing and disable all xD prints from being an option.

dmc

DodgeV83 wrote:

Not sure what you meant by "switch the product", but if your a pro user you can go into your portfolio pricing and disable all xD prints from being an option.

The "drop down" where it says "Prints for small cameras" has "Standard Prints" option. you need to select it if you want Standard sizes.

I'm not a Pro user, no option for me....

peestandingup

Seems to me that the "D" prints just give people more options. This help section explains it more & says "4 X D prints are 4 x 5.3 inches, perfect for most compact digital cameras." So, there wont be an issue with them being too big for standard 4 x 6 frames.

I personally love that Smugmug offers this option as I shoot most of my stuff with my compact point & shoot. I absolutly HATE cropping & this just prevents (or lessens) the crop from images shot with those cameras. The checkout will usually automatically choose the correct print type, so if its telling him 4 x D, then he should probably use that.

I know it can be complicated to people who dont know what all this print mumbo jumbo means, thats why when I started offering prints, I was sure to include a special Print Section on my site with its own dedicated nav button. I also point to the link in my bio, so there isnt any confusion.

Andy

Hi, dmc


The XD products will be shown first in a list of your photos, if you've shot with a 4:3 aspect camera. So, most digicams, as well as a DSLR system like the Olympus 4/3s system.

The standard products will be shown first in the dropdown list, if you've shot with a 3:2 aspect ratio camera, like nearly all DSLRs.

All the choices are there, in the dropdown, but our system will sniff out which aspect ratio the file is and juggle the first option accordingly.

Why?

http://www.smugmug.com/prints/4xd-prints
http://www.smugmug.com/prints/8xd-prints

and more:
http://www.smugmug.com/prints/4x6-prints
http://www.smugmug.com/prints/5x7-prints
http://www.smugmug.com/prints/8x10-prints
http://www.smugmug.com/prints/11x14-prints

We could make decisions for you, but you'd be unhappy about cropping, etc then. The way it is now, you and your buyers are empowered to have it "their way."

I hope this helps, and I'm glad you got it off your chest