Printing enlargements fom D70 photos

[sandtracks]

Does any body know what is the biggest enlagements you can print from RAW photo files taken with a Nikon D70. I read a few places on the net that some guys print up to A3 is that the biggest or can you print bigger?

[Fanie]

I have done A0 and was amazed at the results. From RAW save to TIFF, file ends up about 40 Megs in size.

Had mine printed at @Photo in PTA, costs about R500 depending on paper quality.

[markthomas]

You should be able to print 900 x 600 (A1) if you post process properly.

I printed that size from a 4mp 1D with no problem.

Enlargements depend on the distance you view them from. You can print it at billboard size if you view it from far away.

[PhotoMad]

Much depends on the quality of printer, paper & ink. I shoot 99% of my images in .jpg LF on D70 & have printed up to A1. Bear in mind that the viewer is not going to be looking at the poster from 15cm away. Think... bill boards... close up they look shocking, but from the highway they look fine.

I am fortunate to work for the worlds largest printer manufacturer & have at my disposal some monsters. Some of these cost up to R500k, but even off something costing +-R15k my A1's look fine.

Fanie showed me a shot recently at A1. It was awesome & he had that done somewhere in Pta.

[Rudix]

I have done A0 and was amazed at the results. From RAW save to TIFF, file ends up about 40 Megs in size.

Had mine printed at @Photo in PTA, costs about R500 depending on paper quality.

I agree, I have seen prints from a 6mp Canon at A0 that look great, even up close. Yes, @Photo in PTA is the right place to print large prints, helpfull guys who know what they are doing. Speak to Roger or Dirk. You will be amazed by the prints on canvas !

Happy shooting,
Rudi

[sandtracks]

Thanks now for the next question as it would cost me a fortune in the long run if I have to have photos printed in Pretoria and then couriered to me in Walvis Bay I will have to look at buying a printer I have looked at the Epson 2400(A3+) an 4000 (A2+) printers is there any others out there in the below R15000.00 bracket looking at.

[PhotoMad]

Hang in there. Don't rush into something. I've just put the feelers out & will get back to you ASAP.

[Hendrik van Rooyen]

HP also makes a range of good ones at fair prices.

I use the Epson 4000 for the Ultrachrome inks and media types it can handle.

A print "should' be viewed at 2&1/2 times its diagonal. This takes care of any falloff in quality. 6MP I would not want to take to beyond A1 (about 90cm).

Ive done it before and it worked, but these large prints are often viewed too closely and falloff will be noticed.

Regards.

[PhotoMad]

Sandtracks.
I have a bundle of info available for you re. printers that would meet your needs. I should not post this here as this is not a marketing forum, but if you would like to mail me (as you mail addy is not available through your profile) I'll forward you the info. (pete@proglam.co.za)

[chriso]

Hi Photomad

Is this info available to anyone else interested as well ?

[PhotoMad]

Certainly... here's the deal... I work for International IT Co. Printers being what we're largely known for. Personally not in that division or in sales, but have mates that know these things intimately. They sent me some .pdf doc's based on Sandtrack's query that I put to them. All would be available via web as well. Part of the answer reads as follows:

Yebo, this will be my playing field. The best units to look at, in reference to the constant price wars out there, is the xxx (A3+) and the xxx (A2+). Attached is some info on them that will be well worth anyone reviewing. These products are designed with the 'Vivera' ink set which on our xxx Premium+ Photo medias can give you up to 70 years fade resistance (indoors). Now for any photographer that will be more than sufficient comparing to the silver halide (typically Kodak) prints which on average can on give up to 25years.
Enjoy the reading and let me know if you guys need any more info

I would rather not add brands to the forum, so as not to upset anyone, but will pass on what info I have via mail per request. Perhaps if sufficient interest I could arrange a workshop for ODP members here in Rivonia.