20meg max 16 or 8bits, what would you do?

[Knight06]

Hello- I have a lab that requires my photos be brought over as a file no larger than 20megs. So I have a choice for an 8x10" I want printed, hand the printer a 16bit tiff at roughly 200dpi and 2000x1600 in pixel size or hand the printer an 8bit tiff with 300dpi and 3000x2400 in pixel size?
Any suggestions??
Thanks!

[notsotechie]

I have no idea but hang on bit someone is bound to come by and pipe in.
if possible that they can show you the diffrence at the photo store where you plan to have it printed?
Just a thought.

[jfrancho]

I have compared prints made with a 16 bpc tiff and 8 bpc jpeg quality 10 at 11x14 and there is NO DIFFERENCE. You do realize the files are converted to 8 bpc before printing, right? Save yourself the upload time. You should have no problem with 8 bpc tiffs at full res. One other note, I have quit upsizing image files 300 ppi for prints larger than my camera provides, as my lab's RIP software does a better job than I can.

[BusToBedlam]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

I have compared prints made with a 16 bpc tiff and 8 bpc jpeg quality 10 at 11x14 and there is NO DIFFERENCE. You do realize the files are converted to 8 bpc before printing, right? Save yourself the upload time. You should have no problem with 8 bpc tiffs at full res. One other note, I have quit upsizing image files 300 ppi for prints larger than my camera provides, as my lab's RIP software does a better job than I can.

I have to agree. There is no reason in my opinion to send a 16bit file. I would keep them all in 8bit. Also, when it comes to the resolution, its your total pixel count that is most important. If you have a file that you want printed at 8x10 or 16x20, you want to make sure you have enough data there from your camera. Many print labs will do a good job on up sampling but that can only go so far if the information is not there to begin with. Setting the print information in the file can be done or not. Does not make a difference. Most cameras will not set it but just give pixel count dimensions such as 4064 x 2704.