Brent D., Richie V, Nat, Eric and all of you BIG print folks, please help me out. I've been asked to make a landscape print to be used as a diorama backdrop in a visitor center display. The print will be 15 1/2' x 11 1/2'.
When I was first asked, I thought I'd make 10 or 12 vertical images with my D300 (12 megapixel DX) and stitch them together to be rezzed up by the designer. Now I'm wondering if I need a pano head and a rental FF body to pull this off. I want print to be viewable at fairly close range and look sharp. (not like a billboard)
Please share your thoughts If you have experience with this sort of thing.
Thanks!
Posted by Stan Rose on September 23, 2009 at 6:27 PM
I dont have any experience, but fwiw if i were you, id stick with 5-6 shots done well rather than deal with 10-12, although i know some of the folks you mentioned have successfully pulled off 10+. I dont think youd need extra gear for what i envision.
Posted by Nat Coalson on September 23, 2009 at 8:31 PM
For the close-up sharpness you're describing, you'll need at least 120 ppi image at full size (and print at least 180 dpi). Do the math to figure the final resolution/image size etc.
You can likely upsample captures from a DSLR to 200% to maintain the quality you want.... but stitching this could become a processing nightmare; I'd try to use as few captures as possible - maybe 2 rows and 4 columns, all horizontal?
In that case, for capture, I think 20 MP+ would be better.... 30 or 40 MP ideal... if this doesn't all add up with what you've got, I'd recommend renting a MF system - the Mamiya ZD kits are inexpensive and would work well for this.
If you're also responsible for delivering the print, look at /Duggal; they're the best at doing this kind of print.
Posted by Arthur Lund on September 23, 2009 at 9:41 PM
In the last few months, I have had 2 large panoramas made by a company in Montrose.
As you can see from their website, they have a number of methods of covering a wall with
a big photographic image. Call them and ask them your questions.
I would encourage you to go right on ahead and use your 12mp vertical shots plan.
P.S. I saw the pano that adorns their home page. It was super.
Check the link I have about Oregon since the first shot out there is a 25 image stitch 3'x9' and I didnt use a special pano head to take the images. As far as printing I am not really sure. If you need something less than 44" you are welcome to stop on by and burn some ink.
RichieV
Posted by Cynthia Spence on September 24, 2009 at 9:28 AM
Hi Dave,
Sounds like things are going well. I know nothing about this, but you might ask Brent D. who works at Qube Visual on Santa Fe...they do big printing, depending on what you need.
Discussion
5 repliesWhen I was first asked, I thought I'd make 10 or 12 vertical images with my D300 (12 megapixel DX) and stitch them together to be rezzed up by the designer. Now I'm wondering if I need a pano head and a rental FF body to pull this off. I want print to be viewable at fairly close range and look sharp. (not like a billboard)
Please share your thoughts If you have experience with this sort of thing.
Thanks!
You can likely upsample captures from a DSLR to 200% to maintain the quality you want.... but stitching this could become a processing nightmare; I'd try to use as few captures as possible - maybe 2 rows and 4 columns, all horizontal?
In that case, for capture, I think 20 MP+ would be better.... 30 or 40 MP ideal... if this doesn't all add up with what you've got, I'd recommend renting a MF system - the Mamiya ZD kits are inexpensive and would work well for this.
If you're also responsible for delivering the print, look at /Duggal; they're the best at doing this kind of print.
Megapixel Digital Imaging
http://www.megapixeldi.com
As you can see from their website, they have a number of methods of covering a wall with
a big photographic image. Call them and ask them your questions.
I would encourage you to go right on ahead and use your 12mp vertical shots plan.
P.S. I saw the pano that adorns their home page. It was super.
Check the link I have about Oregon since the first shot out there is a 25 image stitch 3'x9' and I didnt use a special pano head to take the images. As far as printing I am not really sure. If you need something less than 44" you are welcome to stop on by and burn some ink.
RichieV
Sounds like things are going well. I know nothing about this, but you might ask Brent D. who works at Qube Visual on Santa Fe...they do big printing, depending on what you need.