Print Image Matching (P.I.M. II)

[TommyB]

I recently upgraded my digicam to an Olympus C-8080 which, among many things is P.I.M. II compatible, as is my Epson R300M printer.

So I downloaded the PSE 3 PIM II plugin, followed instructions and the first of my printouts was HORRIBLE!

Not one to give up easily, I tried two more prints and in doing so I found a setting that was incorrect. These two prints came out just fine. I may have at least found a partial solution to the print-not-matching-the-original dillema that so many of us have run afoul of.

In my case, the P.I.M. II PSE3 plugin is from the Epson website. Other printer brands websites should probably have a similar download.

You actually import into PSE3 the image with the P.I.M. II information embedded in it. You then follow a series of steps to set up the printer, color space, etc.

If you have a P.I.M. II compatible camera/printer, it is worth experimenting with.

Has anyone here been doing this and if so, I'd like your feedback.

Thanks!

Tom

[TonyW]

That's very interesting - thanks. I have a PIM enabled Fuji and an Epson R300 but hadn't tried the plug-in since I thought I read somewhere that if you make changes to the image in PSE 3 (like a levels adjustment, adjusting the colour temperature, applying a photo filter etc) you lose any benefits from PIM. Since I almost always adjust the picture before printing, and I wasn't having a big problem matching the printer output to the screen image I didn't see that there would be any benefit.

Would appreciate hearing more of your experience - if you make changes to the image in PSE3 do you still get some benefits from PIM? I have been ignoring the warning message about losing PIM data when editing and was just about to check the don't show again box - maybe I shouldn't :idea:

[TommyB]

TonyW:

According to the Epson PIM II instructions, you will lose the PIM II enhancements if you use GLOBAL color adjustments such as Auto Levels, Auto Contrast, Auto Color, etc.

You CAN work with layers, crop, rotate, resize, use filters, and even make selective color adjustments without losing the PIM image quality.

It says you should save the imported file under a new name. This file won't contain PIM header info, but it will retain PIM IMAGE QUALITY.

I would say PIM II is meant for a straight-from-the-camera print that you are satisfied with as is.

BTW, how do you like your R300? I can tell you that the first prints I made with this printer blew me away! I've had it about a year and it still is performing well. It is not my first inkjet (I still have an old HP 932C) but it's the first PHOTO printer I've had.

Tom

[TonyW]

Originally Posted by TommyB

BTW, how do you like your R300? I can tell you that the first prints I made with this printer blew me away! I've had it about a year and it still is performing well. It is not my first inkjet (I still have an old HP 932C) but it's the first PHOTO printer I've had.

Tom

Thanks for the info - I'll have to give it a try. I had an Epson 870 before the R300 but it was getting worn out. The R300 does make outstanding prints and the direct CD printing is useful. My only complaint is that it costs almost as much to replace the ink cartridges as it does to buy a new printer. Well not quite but you know what I mean unless you've found a cheap source. BTW I did once go to buy cartridges for a C62 and it was cheaper to buy a new printer (it was on sale) so I did. Now that's ridiculous :evil:

[TommyB]

Well, that's how the printer manufacturers make their money; sell the printer initially as a "loss leader", then lock you into expensive consumables!

At least you get a fine printer that yields excellent results. I think HP and all the others use this philosophy.

BTW, I use Epson cartridges and I only print those special photos we want to frame or send to family/friends. I guess that's what you have to do unless you have a business and can pass costs along.

For printing emails or stuff off the web, I use the old 932C or an old HP Laserjet that I bought at an auction a couple years ago. The Epson is only used for photo printing.

Here's another thing to watch for when buying cartridges; the expiration date. Make sure you don't buy a cartridge that only has about six months left of it's shelf life. Always check the date on the box before buying.

Tom