I have minolta dimage 7hi camera. I just gave a cd for the first time
in order to print pictures at a lab. I was advised that i can not
print on 10 x 15 cm paper, like i used to print in my previous film
camera: they explained that a film camera take photos in the ration of
2 x 3, which is suitable for 10 x 15 paper, while any digital camera
takes pictures in the ratio of 3 x 4. Accordingly, i have to choose
between leaving 2 white stripes in the right and left sides or "make a
zoom" to fill all the paper size. the second option is not a real
option for me since in that case i will loose small stripes in the
upper and down sides, including the printed date.

My question:
1. Is this correct?
2. If yes, is it possible to bypass it with my specific camera - not
to loose anything, including the date, and to have 10 x 15 cm paper
filled.

Howdy dealeng-ga,

Yes, the Minolta Dimage 7Hi will only take pictures in a 4 x 3
ratio.  Here are the specifications for your camera from the
Konica Minolta web page.
http://www2.konicaminolta.jp/english/products/consumer/digital_camera/dimage/dimage-7hi/spec.html

"Still images: 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480"

All of the above ratios are 4 x 3.

Other than pinkfreud-ga's suggestions from the URL below, that is,
"framing" your pictures ao as to assume there will be a strip on
the sides that will be edited out, or doing your own prints, there
is no way to bypass this "problem" on your camera.

You could also have your photos printed by an online service, such
as PhotoAccess, as they will do "Digital Camera Prints" which are
in the 4 x 3 ratio, such as a 6" x 4.5" print.  This will at least
give you the full image, including the date.
http://www.photoaccess.com/buy/catalog.jsp;jsessionid=?selCategory=Prints

"6 [inch] digital size, glossy photo with the long side of the
print being 6 [inch] long and the short side showing the entire
picture with no cropping."

PhotoAccess will do "Digital Camera Prints" in 5", 6", 8", 10" and
12" sizes for a reasonable $0.33 to $5.99 a print plus shipping.

There are digital cameras that will do 3 x 2 images, such as the
one I use, a Sony Mavica MVC-CD1000, but the 7Hi is too nice of a
camera to give up over this issue.

If you need any clarification, feel free to ask.


Search Strategy:

Google search on: Minolta Dimage 7Hi
://www.google.com/search?q=Minolta+Dimage+7Hi

Google search on: digital camera 2:3 ratio
://www.google.com/search?q=digital+camera+2%3A3+ratio

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by dealeng-ga on 01 Mar 2004 01:32 PST

Thanks.
My local laboratory proposed to me to print on 13 x 17.5 cm, which the
can technically do and which keeps the ratio of 3:4. This also feet
into 13 x 18 cm pocket album.
I believe that this solves the problem - is it?
By the way they charge locally $0.35.

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Clarification of Answer by denco-ga on 01 Mar 2004 11:39 PST

Absolutely dealeng-ga!

That is definitely the route to go, and the price is right.

Glad to hear that your local lab will be able to do the same
type of work that PhotoAccess does.  Just shows how popular
digital cameras have become, and that companies do adjust to
the times.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

This might help you:

http://www.acdsystems.com/English/Community/ColumnsArticles/DigitalCamera/camera-2004-01-10.htm

Much thanks for the 5 star rating, dealeng-ga!

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher