How far can Oly be pushed? Big Prints

[Robert Watcher]

I just received 2 large client prints from the lab - images taken with Olympus 4/3 cameras. While I have several high quality prints up to 24x36 from my Nikon files (D70 and D200 mostly), I only switched back to Olympus recently and have not sold any prints larger than 13x19 and so was anxious to see the results.

Especially was I nervous with the 30"X40" as I would never recommend going that large to my clients - even with my Nikon gear - - - it would be pushing the limit. With this client I had little choice as they were replacing a 30x40 inch traditional family portrait from 10 years ago and wanted to use the frame and the same display area. Moreso was I worried as the shot they ended up picking was taken with my "lower grade" 70-300 Olympus zoom lens in hazy conditions. I had many much sharper high rez images to choose from that were taken with my superior 12-60mm lens. I provided the Preview of this shot as a Sepia toned print which I preferred and think it needs - however they wanted it in colour. I was really expecting the artifacts to be very evident with such small heads and suspected that the image would fall apart - in my film days I could barely accept an 11x14 print from my Oly 35mm camera when smaller heads were part of the scene (example group shots). The skins toned were smooth and the look up close not much different than what I would expect from my RZ67 when I blew them up to 30x40 and 40x60 sizes.

I have included my living room setting in these shots to give a little perspective to show their size. The shots of the prints were taken with my E-510 and on camera flash bounced into the high ceiling of my very dark room - aiming to camera left:

30 inch x 40 inch print mounted on Masonite and Protexture lacquer surface coating - Olympus E-3 : 70-300mm @ 70mm : f8 @ 1/400'th : 200 ISO


20 inch x 30 inch print canvas mounted on stretcher bar and surface laminated - Olympus E-510 : 12-60mm @ 33mm : f8 @ 1/100'th : 100 ISO - the detail and resolution are excellent from this camera/lens combo




I resized both files before sending to the lab - using One Step "Bicubic Sharper" resampling and changing the final resolution to "360 dpi"

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[Songman45]

technology is amazing

great story and congratuations of pulling it off

[Mr. Pickles]

Good job....but maybe a lot of the greatness goes to the Olympus line and their 4/3 sensor...?

[camrajoky]

as a Olympus E-1 and an E-3 owner....I have taken the E-3 to 30 x 40 and am planning on some E-3 30 x 40's. After seeing your results I am encouraged at the thought. It is all about the file and the lab. They can make or break you...as always whether film or digital.

[Robert Watcher]

Originally Posted by camrajoky

as a Olympus E-1 and an E-3 owner....I have taken the E-3 to 30 x 40 and am planning on some E-3 30 x 40's. After seeing your results I am encouraged at the thought. It is all about the file and the lab. They can make or break you...as always whether film or digital.

Good stuff

[oldugly]

Did a couple of 22 X 34s and a 30 X 40 for college projects. Was amazed at the clarity. To be truthful, I don't think I ever shot any thing with 35 mm film that would have been that clear at that size, and I was using Nikon gear then.

[sean_buerger]

I think I would expect more from an RZ67

Sean.