How large can I go? First time making big prints...

[Gina Franco]

Friends,


First: I've been reading the community forums for months now and want to say thanks to all of you for so much help and good advice. I've learned a lot from you.


I've been invited to exhibit some of my photos at a small artisans' gallery, and I'm excited to do it, but I'm a little overwhelmed by the newness of preparing images for display. I'm going to use an online printing service and have the prints shipped to the gallery, so I really won't be able to see them before the show. Which is *very* tricky, I know, but it's the only option I seem to have.


I am shooting with a Rebel Xsi and the Canon 16-35L. Can anyone tell me how large I can blow up my images without losing sharpness and quality? I've never printed anything larger than an 8x10. Is 16x24 out of range for my camera and lens?


And any advice for a newbie?


Many thanks!


Gina

[crosbyharbison]

well i've printed on my 5d II at 24x36" with good results so I'd say with your sensor roughly 1/2 mine about 12x18

[crosbyharbison]

if you want to see how 16x24 would look try cropping one of your images by a factor of 4.8 times and print to a 8x10

[ShutterbugJohan]

In the local camera store, which is run by a professional photographer, hangs a 30x40 inch print of a close-up of a bride's and groom's hands. (I hope that's proper grammar?)


It was shot with a Canon EOS 10D and I'm not sure of the lens.


The 10D is 6.3 megapixels.


I'm not joking.


The point is, if you have a sharp, well-exposed shot with perfect DOF, you can print it at least that large.

[Gina Franco]

Shutterbug: that's an exciting prospect. So, if the original size looks sharp corner to corner, can I use that as a gauge do you think?

[Sheiky]

I had really nice results printing from my 450D at 20*30 inches. No problem whatsoever. I wouldn't hesitate to go even larger if I had to. Problem is that my internetprintingservice doesn't go beyond 20*30 and I don't have the room to put any larger than that in my room [:P]


That's with a non-cropped picture by the way. I assume the more you crop, the smaller your maximum print will be. But 20*30 shouldn't be a problem.


Good luck





Edit: I see the 450D == XSi and you ask for "only" 16*24, you don't have to worry at all!


Unless the printingservice is real bad of course [6]

[ShutterbugJohan]

So, if the original size looks sharp corner to corner, can I use that as a gauge do you think?

Yes, but remember the viewing distance when making large prints. For example, a 30x40" print should be viewed from about 4 feet away. Good luck!

[Gina Franco]

Crosbyharbison: thanks for this suggestion. I think I'll try this. --Also, I checked out your site (all too briefly). Your photos are gorgeous.


Gina

[musickna]

I've printed dozens of 13" x 19" from a Rebel XT (only 8 megapixels) that look fabulous. I've even printed a 13" x 19" from a Canon G2 (4 megapixels) with only very close examination of that print revealing the pixel limitation. You should be fine.

[jimr]

Given you are using the 450D (XSi) and good lens you should have absolutely no problems at all.


I have printed 30x40 with lower resolution cameras. I have printed tons of images at 8X10 and lots at 16X24. They all look good.


You might want to try a couple of test runs with your online service just to put your mind at ease.