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Well Ive seen some prints in an art gallery that have been enlarged from 35mm to wall poster size. The grain was apparent, but the pictures still looked amazing. The art gallery (and also photo library) manager says that they defy all recommendations for the maximum size to enlarge.
The results I saw were superb - and (judging by the nature of the shots) I dont think any of them would have been taken with a low grain film (like Velvia).
As I see it, if its good enough for 400 pictures in an art gallery, its good enough for me!
Adam.
One thing you have to remember is the viewing distance. If you are enlarging something and hanging it on the wall you are going to be viewing from further away than when looking at a screen. The grain can therefore afford to be more noticable. Of course you will be able to see it close up, but for me it's a little like an oil painting, close up they look awful but from the viewing distance it all comes together.
Ian
Hi Benjinca
The bigger the neg, the better quality print. Think of it like this: A 6x7 neg is nearly 5 times the size of a 35mm neg and therefore has nearly 5 times the amount of information on it.
The ratio of enlargement dictates the overall quality of the print. You could enlarge a 35 mm neg to fit lengthways on an 8"x10" sheet and get a similar quality to that of a 6x7 printed to 16"x20" (or there abouts). A 5"x4" neg can be printed onto your garage door. Bigger the better. And, as you have said, the grain size matters. I've printed 35mm PanF on 12"x16" (50 iso) with virtually no visible grain.
Geoff
I've never made a really large enlargement but I have rotated the enlarger head through 90 degrees to project the image on a specially whitened wall, for critical analysis.
I did have some 16" x 12" commercially printed for a colleague who was selling a patent bath lift for people with movement disability. The film was FP3, if I remember correctly. The results were quite good, and grain was not a problem.
It is amazing how big you can go with a good 35mm neg. I say a 'Good one'!!!
Jas
Sorry to (slightly) change to direction of conversation, but....
I'm using Velvia and to capture New Zealands landscapes at present and when I return to London in a months time I want to have a dozen or so slides scanned and printed.
Any recommendations? I'm looking to get my Xpan slides printed to 12x30 inch. Where can I get I drum scan/high res scan and quality print?
I have a Mamiya 330 pro with 4 lens`s. I do say that the enlarged prints are great. The rule is big prints, big film format.A case of turn the enlarger around and put the easel on the floor.The only snag is the size of the trays. The household bath makes a good developing tray.:=)
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