Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

jairoscz · **Biggest print size... -** 08-23-2006, 11:59 PM

I have a D70s, and was wondering what's the biggest print size I could get if I'm shooting RAW (6 MP)? I was going to go ahead and print a 13 x 20 and see how that came out, but thought I'd ask you guys first!

Thanks!!!!!!

AndrewCCM · 08-24-2006, 12:21 AM

All depends on the quality of the image. There are many 20x30 images I have seen from a Nikon D2h that look great. If your image is clean, it can uprez nicely. I have seen numerous D70 images printed at 13x19 that look just fine too..

CaptainTom · 08-24-2006, 12:31 AM

I know it sounds kind of trite, but how big the image can go to really depends on your expectations. Are you expecting a museum quality print, or is making it big enough to fill up a billboard OK ? Your D70 is capable of producing an image that you can enlarge to practically any size, and be right in the same league as the "big boys". The image quality has the most to do with what you will get. I have some 30X40s from digital that rival 2 1/4 film prints. I have some large format film photos that suck, and some digital images that are superb. Take the best possible image you can take. Print it to the size you want to display it. I guarantee that you will be more than happy.
Did I mention that you need to send it to a good quality printer who has the expertise to upsize properly.
I recently gave some digital files to a local shop that specializes in "large commercial photos" and was completely disappointed.

Wes · 08-24-2006, 07:56 AM

Tom, that sounds kind of trite. (j/k) But, I agree with everything you said.

I saw a 24x36 image that came out of a D50 that just rocked! I think it really depends upon how sharp the image is to begin with. If it's sharp enough, you can go big. If there's any softness in the image in places that shouldn't be soft going big will just amplify the problem.

My print portfolio is all 11x14 and they look great. I have a D70.

CobyPhoto · 08-24-2006, 10:25 AM

Image quality is only one of the factors that determines the size you can print. I have MANY images printed 20 x 30" and a few 24 x 36" all taken with the D2H and cropped some.

The images started out sharp. But the main factor in printing large, is the RIP used to upsize the original file. Using canned drivers for a printer you will not get as good of result as you would using a quality RIP software to handle you upsizing.

I have a Epson 7800 and RIP that I use in my business and I have tested that theory. Same print, same size, same post...only difference was I used the Epson drivers on one print and my RIP on the second.

The RIP makes a difference when printing large. I don't think you will have any problem printing 13 x 19 with the D70 if the image quality is good to start with.

CJ

xseption · 08-24-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobyPhoto

Image quality is only one of the factors that determines the size you can print. I have MANY images printed 20 x 30" and a few 24 x 36" all taken with the D2H and cropped some.

The images started out sharp. But the main factor in printing large, is the RIP used to upsize the original file. Using canned drivers for a printer you will not get as good of result as you would using a quality RIP software to handle you upsizing.

I have a Epson 7800 and RIP that I use in my business and I have tested that theory. Same print, same size, same post...only difference was I used the Epson drivers on one print and my RIP on the second.

The RIP makes a difference when printing large. I don't think you will have any problem printing 13 x 19 with the D70 if the image quality is good to start with.

CJ

Can you elaborate on the RIP? What is it and where can I get it?

thanks!

~ edd

LadyShutterBug · 08-24-2006, 11:22 AM

i did a 20x30 of a wooded trail (shot at jeg fine). it's fine for hanging on the wall of my husband's office... noticeable pixelation/grain only when your face is RIGHT in front of the print. at 1-2 feet away, looks great. (D70)

Cope · 08-24-2006, 11:57 AM

[QUOTE=LadyShutterBug] it's fine for hanging on the wall of my husband's office... QUOTE]
I don't know you well enough to know how to take that statement.

jairoscz · 08-24-2006, 12:02 PM

thank you all for the feedback!! I"m going to go ahead and order some prints 20x30 and we'll see how it goes... I'll let you know!

..and yeah, what is RIP??

LadyShutterBug · 08-24-2006, 12:04 PM

[QUOTE=Cope]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyShutterBug

it's fine for hanging on the wall of my husband's office... QUOTE]
I don't know you well enough to know how to take that statement.

LOL... presentable for clients and such. it's a pic from Minuteman National Park in Massachusetts... we went there for our first anniversary.

all of myportrait shots that have a potential for being blown up large and featured at a wedding for guests to nitpick at close range are shot with my D200.

CobyPhoto · 08-24-2006, 12:09 PM

RIP = Raster Image Processor - Software that is specifically written for your printer, to handle upsizing and printing.

When you send your prints to a professional lab, this is what they run those prints through and do any sizing necessary. Some of these RIP cost in the thousands of dollars and all are pretty much tailored to the printers they run.

Basically, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) is software (even if it is called "hardware RIP" it is still just software), that takes your image and text and tells the wide format printer where and how to place each squirt of ink on the paper. That is all it does, it is a specialty software that handles printing.

Downside to the RIP...COST. Software of this nature is expensive. On average, the RIP for an Epson 7800 is in the range of 1500.00 - 2200.00 depending upon the RIP and the features in the RIP Software.

RIPs also handle package printing with ease. If you do alot of printing - say, in a studio where you offer packages, a RIP will sure make it easy to get things done in a short time. I can process only one crop of the image and the RIP will handle the resize to all prints ordered from that image. Saves me the time in cropping to several sizes of photos. You just have to learn how to crop your image to fit all templates.

RIP's are pretty invovled software. But the basics of it, they produce better larger prints and minimize packaging print time. If you do not print large images...above 8 x 10 on a regular basis, I don't think that you would benefit from owning a RIP. I regularly print 16 x 20 and larger in my studio and the RIP does all my work for me. If you buy a professional quality printer you need to buy a RIP as well. The supplier of the printer can tell you about the RIP's available and which work best with your printer.

Hope that helps. You can do a google and get lots of info on this. It is a pretty invovled subject and I tried not to make it hard to understand here.

CJ

CobyPhoto · 12:31 PM

Oh and one more thing...even though they have those GREAT RIPs at professional labs, you still cannot post process "willy nilly" and send it to them and it come out fine. You have to post process carefully and with the end product in mind. RIP's and PS are only tools, you have to use them correctly in order to get quality prints from your lab or printer.

Just wanted to clarify this! LOL You still have to do it right, even with powerful tools like this.

Additional info: (I knew I would forget something!) RIP companies also profile papers for the specific printers for you. This does a couple of really important things for you: Color is consistent and will match what you see on your monitor (if you calibrate it) and it Maximizes ink use in Ink Jets. The RIP will put down just the right amount of ink and avoid common bronzing and other problems and in the end, cost you less per print. (I have almost 5 years of data on this, and a RIP does maximize your ink.)

If I think of anything else of value I will post!

CJ