Max size of print

[gwei8]

Hi,

What is the maximum poster size you can print 5D2 files to and still have good results? I was thinking about 24"x36"... please let me know your thoughts.... the shot was taken at ISO100, f8, on tripod.


Thanks
G

 

[Canon-F1]

that depends on the motiv too.

does it have to be for photographer, who tend to press their nose against the print, or normal people and a normal viewing distance?

ps: is this the right forum for such a question?

 

[zim]

‘Good’? rather subjective, I’ve a 500D and got 20x16 and 36x12 prints and canvases on the wall
for a client hell no, it’s my wall, my rules, my pleasure

 

[tt]

Just trying to get a reference for my own, maybe worth sharing:
A4 is roughly 8x12 inches. A1 is 23x33 inches.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_size_illustration2_with_letter_and_legal.svg

 

[Madkrafter]

I would say 24x36" is definitely doable on a 5D2 if the exposure is good. I have done a 20x30 print from my old, old D60 (6.2MP) as well as up to 30x40" from my old 50D (15.1MP), and that's because that's as big as mpix and some other labs would print. I have yet to make a print from my new 5D2.

When sending to the lab it's a good idea to find out the native resolution of the printer. For most, 200dpi is default. Some may go up to 300dpi if you want to retain a lot of detail. I send my files to the labs by Dimming the resolution to 200dpi but don't size to your final size. Dimming, BTW, is an old Scitex Prepress term, which in Photoshop-speak means adjusting the image size with the "Resample Image" box unchecked. The image size will adjust to the new resolution.

Most labs will tell you to leave the sizing to the imager's RIP. They can handle the interpolation better than Photoshop.

 

[ghosh9691]

Hi,

What is the maximum poster size you can print 5D2 files to and still have good results? I was thinking about 24"x36"... please let me know your thoughts.... the shot was taken at ISO100, f8, on tripod.


Thanks
G

The correct answer is "it depends" . With a 5D2 file at full resolution, it is 5616 pixels wide. With that, you can print to a 187-inch width at 30dpi. That would be a billboard sized print. When viewed at an appropriate distance, things will look good. If a gear head views it, they will complain about how it is not 300dpi and that when they stick their noses against it, the photo looks terrible.

For most magazine prints, 300dpi is a good and the 5D2 can print to 18.7 inches wide. For a wall hanging, you can print at 200 dpi to get an image 28 inches wide and it will look good at "normal" viewing angles - just don't take a microscope to it and don't stick your nose against it

Hope this helps...

 

[wickidwombat]

my work has printed shots from my old 1Dmk1 up to A2 size and they have been fine and that was 4MP so I would think a 5D2 could easily exceed A0

 

[gwei8]

Thank you all, a little more info, this will be on my wall only.... so my wall my rule applies ;D
But I still would like to make sure that 24x36 is not asking for too much....

 

[wickidwombat]

Thank you all, a little more info, this will be on my wall only.... so my wall my rule applies ;D
But I still would like to make sure that 24x36 is not asking for too much....

I'm pretty sure if you doubled that size it would still be perfect

 

[distant.star]

Is this a trick question?

Who do you work for??

 

[motorhead]

I have printed excellent A3+ images from my 8MP 30D, so I'd expect the 21.1MP 5D2 to go to A1 easily.

Its also true that very large prints need very much lower PPI simply because the viewer stands further away in order to absorb the whole picture.

 

[HurtinMinorKey]

I have a 36X24 print from an Epson 7900 of the Old Well at night(UNC), from my 5D mkii. It looks awesome, with no pixelation visible.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t1UlcedVQLw/TNhi1K40wmI/AAAAAAAABTQ/J47jY2S4Qtg/old_well_at_night.jpg

 

[Kernuak]

I doubt most people would be able to see the difference between a 300 ppi and 200 ppi image if printed on a good printer. Many images will also still look good at 150 ppi, although you do start to get into the realms of how good the image quality is and what the subject/amount of detail is. At 150 ppi on the 5D MkII, you can get over 37 inches or almost one metre on the long side.

 

[goretexguy]

I would hope the Mk2 would deliver 24x36... I can do 20x30 prints from my XSi. It all comes down to the quality of the photo... which correlates with the quality of the your lens. Take a good photo and you can put it on a billboard.