Large Prints using 5DII

[rismoon]

Hi All:

I guess this is a question for those who have done large high resolution prints and are very good at understanding the aspects that come in play. I have a set of images that I would need to print on a large scale to be put into a gallery by September. These images are taken using a tripod with good equipment Canon 5DII, 16-35 mm f/2.8 USM II, 50 mm f/1.2, and 70-200 mm f/2.8 USM II. There are no unclarity in the photos and they appear very good when viewd at 100% magnification.

I dont really understand the aspect ratios that come in play when printing? I dont understand dpi and ect. How big can I print with this camera in order for the prints to keep their clarity? A source of professional printing services? And any other info that could help me.

Thank you
Ali

[OsmosisStudios]

Size:
Best quality would be 300 PPI (pixels per inch). So, if you had a file that was 3600x2400 (a standard 2:3 ratio at just under 10mp), then you could conceivably do 12x8. That's small, but thats also very high quality. The trick here is that the larger the image size, the farther away you'll be seeing it. 300PPI is great for an 8x12 because you'll see an 8x12 at arm's length or closer. When you're viewing something at a greater distance, you don't need that much density in the image.

From experience, you can usually get away with 100PPI for most large sizes. That same 3600x2400 pixel image can therefore make a 36x24 inch print. I've done it, and it works out. It still looks pretty good up close, but looks perfectly fine at a decent distance.

With 21mp from a 5DII and great image quality, you can likely get HUGE prints: it won't be really a concern. Especially true if you can get your editing and sharpening down pat for printing as well.

Aspect Ratio:
Your 5DII shoots a 2:3 ratio. That would mean anything from the list below.
2x3
4x6
6x9
8x12
10x15
12x18
18x24
20x30
24x36
etc

If you want to use another size, you'll need to crop the image to that ratio. Any ratio other than 2:3 will require a crop of some kind. Common sizes are 4:3 and 4:5 (the latter of which is in things like 8x10s and 16x20s). You can also get 1:1 (square) or 2:1 (panorama).

Printing:
I prefer getting a local printer: if you get a good relationship going with someone local, you can often get deals on the costs, and you'll be able to better understand what he/she wants and needs to make it easier on both of you.

[rismoon]

Thank you.

Your explanation is so simple and clear.

[GTAltman]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Size:
Best quality would be 300 PPI (pixels per inch). So, if you had a file that was 3600x2400 (a standard 2:3 ratio at just under 10mp), then you could conceivably do 12x8. That's small, but thats also very high quality. The trick here is that the larger the image size, the farther away you'll be seeing it. 300PPI is great for an 8x12 because you'll see an 8x12 at arm's length or closer. When you're viewing something at a greater distance, you don't need that much density in the image.

From experience, you can usually get away with 100PPI for most large sizes. That same 3600x2400 pixel image can therefore make a 36x24 inch print. I've done it, and it works out. It still looks pretty good up close, but looks perfectly fine at a decent distance.

With 21mp from a 5DII and great image quality, you can likely get HUGE prints: it won't be really a concern. Especially true if you can get your editing and sharpening down pat for printing as well.

Osmossis,

Let me ask this as a follow up question.
I'm way still learning but having a hard time getting a grasp on the DPI and Pixels....

Say this person shot in RAW and JPG. You were talking about 10mb in the original shot (hypothetically speaking), which would be great for a 12x8 and good for a 36x24 (3 times the size - I do get that).

Now if shot in RAW the file size for that would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 17+ mb. Here's the question:

If the RAW file was opened and saved in a TIFF format, could the print size of 36x24 be turned into GREAT and say a 60x40 size be "good" (relatively speaking).

Thanks,
Gary

[OsmosisStudios]

Remember, it's MegaPIXEL not MegaBYTE. The filesize on your harddisk is irrelevant: as long as it's got the right resolution.

So, a 10megaPIXEL file will give you an 8x12 at 300PPI and a 24x36 at 100PPI. Most JPG files that are 10MP are going to be roughly 2-4megaBYTES. The RAW files are are going to be about 3-5 times that.