I want to make big (16x20 or 30x40) prints
Currently I use 200 speed Fuji I will break from the pack on this one. Properly done, a 10 to 12 megapixel camera is capable of making prints certainly at the 16 x 20 size and even 30" x 40". It's all about the software interpolation of the digital file. Thus, your answer has two parts: 1) the megapixels available and 2) the skill of the printer operator, and quality of his equipment/software.
Even 200 speed film has grain in it, which can detract form the overall image. By comparison, digital cameras when shoot at low to moderate ISOs do not exhibit this grain pattern, as long as the images are properly exposed. Digital cameras show image noise at high ISOs and typically if underexposed.
I was playing around this week with my scanner and my Fujifilm Provia slides, both in 35mm and 120 format. The 120 format is just remarkable when used with ISO 100 slide film, and when scanned I get the quivalent of about 25 megapixels. The thing is, at 100%, I can see that the image is soft and not as detailed compared to a digital SLR with a lower megapixel rating.
I suggest approaching the local facility where you will be making these prints to determine their quality and image requirements. They can probably tell you a minimum # of megagpixels you need to have in your SLR. Absolutely none!
They are totally different technologies.
If you were to want to make 16x20 inch prints, a good professional DSLR with a 10 to 12mp sensor photographed in RAW will work.
To get to 30x40 inch prints, you would probably need to use a medium format digital like a Hasselblad or Mamiya with a digital back. About 20 megapixels under the best conditions. A typical point-n-shoot 35mm camera can drop down to 10 megapixel or even 6, depending on lens and settings options.
For professional grade photography, though, 35mm is still holding the dwindling lead over digital photography. |
