Digital BW, The Print

> From: Andre [mailto:am1000@...]
>
> In a previous post regarding the use of digital camera, Tony wrote:
>
> "...I would appreciate any thoughts on the use of a digital camera and
> feasability of using one to get respectable prints up to 13x19."
>
> I was waiting (hope i'm not the only one) for digital camera users to
> chime in with their experience on A3+ b&w prints from digital files
> but the discussion went into another diection which is ok considering
> the background of the question.
>
> So if I may, I'd like to ask those with experience relating to the
> above question if they would share it with us.

I've made a couple Super-B B&Ws from a Canon 10D on an Epson 2200, using
color inks (both with the Epson driver and ImagePrint). I feel that the
resolution of a six megapixel camera like the Canon 10D (about 170ppi) isn't
quite up to the sharpness limits of the 2200 with color inks, but it's
close. The eight megapixel 20D would be a bit closer (195ppi). Although the
printer is theoretically capable of 720ppi, the dithering makes its
effective resolution quite a bit lower, for anything other than the most
contrasty edges.

On the other hand, there are quadtones or hextones. I also have an old
2000P, and I'm waiting for MIS to get off their duffs and release the 2000P
quadtone carts. I expect with quadtones or hextones, the printer's available
sharpness goes way up, since it doesn't have to rely as much upon dithering.
In this case, it would probably take a 16 megapixel 1Ds Mark II to push the
sharpness limits of the printer.

I guess I'd have to say it boils down to this. I've gotten lots of nice
prints from my 10D (mostly color) at that size. But if you print 12x18", and
intend to stick your nose up to the print, you'll probably find the prints
sharp, but not quite razor sharp.

--

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...