Biggest enlargement w/o pixellization ?

[kowen]

To any G2 users who print enlargements, I am wondering what would be the largest size print attainable without going into pixellization or image degradation?

I am looking at maybe getting this camera, and would shoot in RAW mode at the best quality setting. Tripod for steadiness and probably ASA 50 most all the time. I know overall lighting has much to do with this, and file resolution also.

I use an Epson 1280, so prints can go up to 13x19. I think that size would be pushing it, but am wondering if 14 or 15 inches on the long side, might be realistic.

Anyone who prints enlargements from this G2, please fill me in, your replies would be helpful and much appreciated. Thanks,

kowen

[es839145]

I have a G2 and a Canon S900 printer. I can go up to borderless A4 format that is 11.5 inches on the long side.
This is the limit of the printer and the paper format.
Up to that enlargement I can see no pixelisation.

[bnpndxtr]

I've seen 8x10's form dye-sub printers that I honestly would never know were digital unless I had been told- even after close scrutiny.

You can also over sample the image using PhotoPaint (or whatever) to fake a higher resolution. This is good to eliminate pixelization at larger scales. You can't get "resolution from nothing", because an over sampling algorithm is used to increase the resolution, but it will drive the pixelization down and it looks pretty good if you don't get carried away.

[kowen]

First of all, thanks to Ernst and bnpndxtr for the replies. I do understand about the math involved to figure out the largest photo from a certain file size, but it seems one can go a bit beyond the standard math that seems to apply.

I have read at Luminous Landscape (before they changed the format) that some people have gone below the "standard window" of 240-360 (180dpi) and had gotten fine results. I would think the best of ideal conditions may have applied for those results.

Then I've read where you can actually go down to 160 dpi and still get a very good print. This was an article talking about digital cameras, not necessarily from the G2. I've had someone write to me that they had printed something up in the neighborhood of 30-40 inches from a 5 megapixel camera (Sony 707). (I would think that would be poster quality at best-don't know).

If anyone is getting 11x14s (or larger??!!) printing at about 160 dpi (or ??dpi) with no noticeable breakdown of quality and detail, I'd sure be interested to know.

[supert31]

I have had 11x14 done at costco that look great of 3.99 each. Just alter the size in photoshop put on a disk and bring in

[chowhungkeng]

I just pumped out 16"x20" prints from my G3. They are almost as sharp as my Pentax 645.

I used Photoshop 7.0 to retouch and resized @ 300 ppi for a 16"x20" print using unsharp mask.

I can't believe how sharp this camera is.

[bfaust]

Resampling with Photoshop you should be able to easily get a 16 X 20 with a G2 at 300 dpi. I would do this before trying printing at 180 dpi or less.
Why not download a picture from the net that is reported to be the 2300 X 1700 of a G2 and try to resample and print on your 1280. I have gone into the 16 X 20 range with my 1270 without pixelation. (using a part of the frame blown up to 13 X 19)

[kowen]

Thanks to all for the replies-I didn't even think of downloading a file, lets say from Digital Review, but I will and print one up, see what happens.
All in all, it seems the G2 is very capable of making enlargements (if wanted) to 11x14 if desired. Since I can't afford a D60, I've pretty well decided this will bridge the gap between that and my 1.3 (1 effective) mp Kodak DC215, when I do decide to take the plunge.
I just wonder how long they will be available-the price has dropped on these pretty nicely, just wonder if they will go through another drop?

[bobby_germany]

Hi there,

I'd like to add a comment on the possibility of digital image enlargement. I use to send my pictures to a good lab via the web (in germany/swiss) instead of printing them myself (the price is higher but the quality much better). I tried a 27 by 19 inch poster from a G2-shot recently and there was no pixeling and the picture appears sharp and clear.

[Marley]

I've had 16 x 20 prints done by Ofoto and they look great.


They also now have 20" x 30" poster size. for $22.95

[anthony]

I have a Canon S9000 and have printed some stunning images at 13x19. The limitation is how good a picture I took.