🇨🇦/🇺🇸... Much appreciated, Keith! I'm a large format printing tech at a printshop here in Michigan and do some marketing jobs for The Henry Ford Museum. 4-colours can get you far! TERRIFIC job in your review! Thanks! Cheers!
Visiting hotels, holiday rentals, Airbnbs, there's often a large photographic print on one or more walls. It's hard to know if these are stock images, or the owner is an amateur photographer, but they are almost without exception low resolution images. Subjects run to a theme, brightly coloured boats in a local harbour, snow-capped mountains, sunset over a beach, the print is purely decorative and not meant to be viewed in close up. The point is I don't think many visitors notice image quality. It's big, sometimes very much so and looks fine from the other side of the room. Picky people like us notice jaggies and artefacts and softness but I don't think the rest of the world cares. Never mind the quality, feel the width, as the 1970s sitcom was titled.
Yes - this one is definitely sharp enough and detailed enough to pass muster from most people looking at it, but it's definitely in what I'd call the 'wall art' category ;-)
Good tips with making higher dpi and more saturation etc for printing. How large can Gigapixel enlarge without losing essential details, 10 megapixels to ? Back in the start of the 1980´s I learnt by using colour slide film, that you have to get the exposure correct, the sharpness correct, the best aperture of the Lens and using the best prime Lenses to get the best result, I think that also is the rule for digital photography, less to do at the computer, so I never use zoom lenses, I only use the best prime Lenses.
I’ve been using GP AI for a long time and have been getting very nice Pro-1000, 16x20 prints from my old 8MP Canon. I turn off sharpening in GP and do either high-pass, or luminance-channel, sharpening in PS.
Thank you for a good video. I will not crop below 9 Mpix on the files from my 12 Mpix camera. I was never pleased with A3 colour prints from my D300 APS-C camera using a Zeiss 35mmF2 but I never printed B/W. I aim to do a B/W print this year if I take a god picture. I only used PS6 and up scaled in small steps.and I use unsharp mask between the up scaling.. I like to look close on a picture and get discussed if I see large pixels on an exhibition.
Ah, people who look closely at photos in an exhibition never buy anything... I've only rarely had 'complaints', but I did tell one person that standing too close to a 5 foot wide print meant it was their fault and I didn't actually care - and I felt so much better for saying it :-) :-)
@@KeithCooper I used to use the 10x magnifier at exhibitions and yes I never buy anything as I am poor but I have considered suing them for mental damage so I stopped using the magnifier but it still shows.
I was thinking that one might use a gradient mask against a sharpening layer, to get a nice near-to-far sharpening effect, to, as you point out, to get a my realistic look...
Yes, but a gradient mask only works properly for a flat plane - this landscape is most definitely not that ;-) In this, somewhat simplified for illustrative purposes, instance, choosing the degree of sharpening as to the landscape content and structure would be my preference. The sharpening is partly there to give an 'impression' of detail... Certainly if making a much larger print, and ideally with a higher resolution starting image, I'd do a much more complex masking of multiple sharpening layers.
Hello, thanks for the fantastic review. I also checked out your two other videos on this printer. I am new to doing large prints. I have been looking at this printer to do 24"x36" and it seems perfect. I see that it can also print 11x17 pre-cut paper. I am completely new to using paper rolls. Is there any way this printer can do 13x19? If I have to use a paper roll for this, does it cut it down to 13x19? Thank you
Thanks - the sheet feed is limited to A3. It's a firm limit caused by the sheet paper feed path. Paper is trimmed to the roll width, so unless you have 19' paper, A3+ isn't going to happen I'm afraid... [I don't know if 19" paper is supported or available either] I'm hoping to get the full [written] review finished before Christmas - it will as ever have a supplementary video...
I am one of those 'picky' people who like to look close up at pictures. I've done it for as long as I can remember. I think with our propensity for very detailed screens showing detailed images, such as tablets and phones, that invite you (or at least me) to focus as close as you can will make more picky people for future photographers to deal with.
It will do until the natural close focus failings of eyesight as we age kick in... ;-) Fair enough, the detail' can be done if needed [one of the reasons I moved to the GFX100S] but I see no evidence of an outbreak of physical pixel peeping when I watch people looking at prints. At heart though, I try and produce big prints for emotional impact, and that isn't generally in the finest of detail...
I'l take real megapixels when possible - it cannot be 'as good' ;-) This photo was taken nearly 20 years ago... 11MP was still something. Good lenses are the key.
Unfortunatelly we dont have ICC files for Canon TC-20 to use with Hahnemuhle or Canson papers. But the results are pretty good. Which paper are you using as you said you have the ICC?
I'll be making profiles for all the papers that I test for the review. As to which papers they are - it depends what stock I've got in different sizes. As with all my printer reviews, any profiles I make will be available on request when the [main written] review is published - likely in October, since I'm off on holiday next week :-) I very much doubt many of the better known commercial paper brands will be producing profiles for this printer - some paper suppliers will make custom profiles if you buy some paper.
Great video. Although that print is a nice image, I love the fine art effect of the burnt tree image. What is your opinion on the subject of print driver versus application controlling the print output?
I have a home printer Epson L4260 ecotank, but I would like to print in large format mostly family and travel photos, do you think that this canon TC20 has better quality than the epson L4260?
@@KeithCooper First of all, I'm so happy that you have read my question, it is awesome I can't believe it, Thanks!! Well other question, what printer would you recommend to start selling printed photos mostly to family and friends? I mean I'm no thinking to expose them in a gallery.
Yes... And that is an important aspect of why someone might choose to use a TC20M for prints - it's sold as a CAD/Poster printer. Choose your images carefully... The fact that it can actually produce some good looking prints is of more interest to people wondering about the printer. A deeper analysis of its limits is for the main written review... with a mention in the video supplementing it.
I don't sell printers, so I never make recommendations Read the review and see if the features/limitations are of relevance to your own specific needs www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-tc-20m-printer-review/
Some further research would be indicated then... There is a limit to how many printers I can test I'm afraid. This one is the only one of this general sort I've looked at, so I cannot make comparisons Is it a good printer - yes. Is it the best of this sort of printer - no idea
mp doesn't really mean much of anything with the modern upscaling tech...I can upscale very low MP/poor image quality image and still get really good results with the various free upscaling softwares. That being said it will obviously look best with a better source, but most people won't notice from a reasonable distance.
🇨🇦/🇺🇸... Much appreciated, Keith! I'm a large format printing tech at a printshop here in Michigan and do some marketing jobs for The Henry Ford Museum. 4-colours can get you far! TERRIFIC job in your review! Thanks! Cheers!
Thanks - Very true, skill and knowing what limitations to allow for can make a huge difference...
Visiting hotels, holiday rentals, Airbnbs, there's often a large photographic print on one or more walls. It's hard to know if these are stock images, or the owner is an amateur photographer, but they are almost without exception low resolution images. Subjects run to a theme, brightly coloured boats in a local harbour, snow-capped mountains, sunset over a beach, the print is purely decorative and not meant to be viewed in close up. The point is I don't think many visitors notice image quality. It's big, sometimes very much so and looks fine from the other side of the room. Picky people like us notice jaggies and artefacts and softness but I don't think the rest of the world cares. Never mind the quality, feel the width, as the 1970s sitcom was titled.
Yes - this one is definitely sharp enough and detailed enough to pass muster from most people looking at it, but it's definitely in what I'd call the 'wall art' category ;-)
just found you on youtube, subscribed and have been watching all your videos..love your channel thanks
Thanks!
Awesome thanks keith
Thanks!
Good video Kieth
Thanks
Good tips with making higher dpi and more saturation etc for printing. How large can Gigapixel enlarge without losing essential details, 10 megapixels to ?
Back in the start of the 1980´s I learnt by using colour slide film, that you have to get the exposure correct, the sharpness correct, the best aperture of the Lens and using the best prime Lenses to get the best result, I think that also is the rule for digital photography, less to do at the computer, so I never use zoom lenses, I only use the best prime Lenses.
Thanks. The version of GP AI that I've got does enlargement up to 600%.
I'm not quite so concerned over zooms, but they need to be very good zooms ;-)
I’ve been using GP AI for a long time and have been getting very nice Pro-1000, 16x20 prints from my old 8MP Canon. I turn off sharpening in GP and do either high-pass, or luminance-channel, sharpening in PS.
@@KeithCooper Well, I have always been a perfectionist when it comes to using the very best Lenses, so only the very best prime Lenses for me.
Ah... No-one ever called me that without me demanding a retraction ;-)
It is the enemy of excellence for me. [YMMV ;-) ]
Thank you for a good video. I will not crop below 9 Mpix on the files from my 12 Mpix camera. I was never pleased with A3 colour prints from my D300 APS-C camera using a Zeiss 35mmF2 but I never printed B/W. I aim to do a B/W print this year if I take a god picture. I only used PS6 and up scaled in small steps.and I use unsharp mask between the up scaling.. I like to look close on a picture and get discussed if I see large pixels on an exhibition.
Ah, people who look closely at photos in an exhibition never buy anything...
I've only rarely had 'complaints', but I did tell one person that standing too close to a 5 foot wide print meant it was their fault and I didn't actually care - and I felt so much better for saying it :-) :-)
@@KeithCooper I used to use the 10x magnifier at exhibitions and yes I never buy anything as I am poor but I have considered suing them for mental damage so I stopped using the magnifier but it still shows.
Getting out a hand-lens is asking to be thrown out of the exhibition if it was one of mine ;-) :-)
I was thinking that one might use a gradient mask against a sharpening layer, to get a nice near-to-far sharpening effect, to, as you point out, to get a my realistic look...
Yes, but a gradient mask only works properly for a flat plane - this landscape is most definitely not that ;-)
In this, somewhat simplified for illustrative purposes, instance, choosing the degree of sharpening as to the landscape content and structure would be my preference. The sharpening is partly there to give an 'impression' of detail...
Certainly if making a much larger print, and ideally with a higher resolution starting image, I'd do a much more complex masking of multiple sharpening layers.
Hello, thanks for the fantastic review. I also checked out your two other videos on this printer.
I am new to doing large prints. I have been looking at this printer to do 24"x36" and it seems perfect. I see that it can also print 11x17 pre-cut paper.
I am completely new to using paper rolls. Is there any way this printer can do 13x19? If I have to use a paper roll for this, does it cut it down to 13x19?
Thank you
Thanks - the sheet feed is limited to A3. It's a firm limit caused by the sheet paper feed path.
Paper is trimmed to the roll width, so unless you have 19' paper, A3+ isn't going to happen I'm afraid... [I don't know if 19" paper is supported or available either]
I'm hoping to get the full [written] review finished before Christmas - it will as ever have a supplementary video...
@@KeithCooper Thanks for your reply. Looking forward to your review :)
I am one of those 'picky' people who like to look close up at pictures. I've done it for as long as I can remember. I think with our propensity for very detailed screens showing detailed images, such as tablets and phones, that invite you (or at least me) to focus as close as you can will make more picky people for future photographers to deal with.
It will do until the natural close focus failings of eyesight as we age kick in... ;-)
Fair enough, the detail' can be done if needed [one of the reasons I moved to the GFX100S] but I see no evidence of an outbreak of physical pixel peeping when I watch people looking at prints.
At heart though, I try and produce big prints for emotional impact, and that isn't generally in the finest of detail...
Thanks for the video! I’ve been wondering if the extra megapixels are worth it? Or if upscaling your files is just as good?
I'l take real megapixels when possible - it cannot be 'as good' ;-)
This photo was taken nearly 20 years ago... 11MP was still something. Good lenses are the key.
@@KeithCooper Right, thanks for your reply 😁
Unfortunatelly we dont have ICC files for Canon TC-20 to use with Hahnemuhle or Canson papers. But the results are pretty good. Which paper are you using as you said you have the ICC?
I'll be making profiles for all the papers that I test for the review. As to which papers they are - it depends what stock I've got in different sizes.
As with all my printer reviews, any profiles I make will be available on request when the [main written] review is published - likely in October, since I'm off on holiday next week :-)
I very much doubt many of the better known commercial paper brands will be producing profiles for this printer - some paper suppliers will make custom profiles if you buy some paper.
Great video. Although that print is a nice image, I love the fine art effect of the burnt tree image. What is your opinion on the subject of print driver versus application controlling the print output?
Thanks - theB&W tree is the one on my wall ;-)
Not sure what you mean by "print driver versus application" - could you be more specific?
Hi Mr Keith! Do you know an alternative to this canon plotter that can work well with 3 in core rolls, 24"?
PRO-2100
www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-imageprograf-pro-2000-printer-review/
great video. are you able to print borderless off the role on the tc20m? if not what are the minimum margins for this.
5mm margins IIRC
I need to test this in more detail though
I have a home printer Epson L4260 ecotank, but I would like to print in large format mostly family and travel photos, do you think that this canon TC20 has better quality than the epson L4260?
I've never seen an L4260 I'm afraid...
@@KeithCooper First of all, I'm so happy that you have read my question, it is awesome I can't believe it, Thanks!! Well other question, what printer would you recommend to start selling printed photos mostly to family and friends? I mean I'm no thinking to expose them in a gallery.
ET-8550 is currently my best printer for getting into this sort of stuff - 6 ink
@@KeithCooper thank you, I thik that in Mexico is the Epson L8180 model.
Sorry - that's not a model I know [in the UK]@@juanpablogbdev
It's not surprising that the colors are all in-gamut in this 4 ink printer, because the image's colors and saturation levels don't challenge it.
Yes...
And that is an important aspect of why someone might choose to use a TC20M for prints - it's sold as a CAD/Poster printer. Choose your images carefully...
The fact that it can actually produce some good looking prints is of more interest to people wondering about the printer.
A deeper analysis of its limits is for the main written review... with a mention in the video supplementing it.
You really recommend to buy?
I don't sell printers, so I never make recommendations
Read the review and see if the features/limitations are of relevance to your own specific needs
www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-tc-20m-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper :/ I need to know or what’s other options exist,
Some further research would be indicated then...
There is a limit to how many printers I can test I'm afraid.
This one is the only one of this general sort I've looked at, so I cannot make comparisons
Is it a good printer - yes. Is it the best of this sort of printer - no idea
mp doesn't really mean much of anything with the modern upscaling tech...I can upscale very low MP/poor image quality image and still get really good results with the various free upscaling softwares. That being said it will obviously look best with a better source, but most people won't notice from a reasonable distance.
Yes -the mention of 11MP is purely to give a bit of context ;-)