On Mar 22, 2006, at 1:45 PM, Markus Maurer wrote:
At what print size would you see a difference from mid format to digital, A3 or bigger?
Using 6Mpixel DSLR captures as a baseline and comparing against 6x4.5cm or 6x6cm 2400ppi scans with a good if not top of the line scanner:
Up to A3 image area, print results are equivalent. Scene dynamics do have an effect: landscapes and highly-detailed wide angle shots require more detailing to compete with medium format film at large print sizes. Move up to 10, 12, 16, 22Mpixel capture: much of the difference will disappear. Rendering and the quality of the capture, in either film or digital domain, will also have a big impact on the comparative quality of the prints.
Larger than A3, you must have 10Mpixel or more resolution in digital capture to produce comparable quality prints. I've made a number of very nice A3 Super (13x19 full bleed) prints with 6Mpixel DSLR that look good, but the 8Mpixel and now 10Mpixel prints look better at this size: the difference is noticeable.
I make prints in the 8x10" to A3 size range most of the time. Godfrey
