What resolution do I use for large prints with the Canon 5D MkII?

February 22, 2012 9:14 PM

I need to get some prints done at a fairly large size. The final output will be maximum 3 feet by 2 feet. I've never done prints this size but everything I've read has said that the 5D MkII can produce that size just fine. What I'm unsure of is how to set my file up in Photoshop. The largest prints I've done in the past is 18x12 which is more or less the camera's largest output at 300dpi (which is plenty sharp). For larger prints (like the ones I want to do) what resolution should I be using? 72? 150?
posted by Joseppi to media & arts (6 answers total)

For an uncropped 5D Mark II image, a 2x3 foot image will be 156 dpi.

Let's say your image is cropped though - here's a way to figure out what the print resolution will be:

Open your image in photoshop, click on "edit" at the top, then "image size" then in the window that pops up, then click OFF "Resample Image" at the bottom. Match the width and height of the print you desire, and the resolution will automatically adjust to fit the pixel dimensions of your image.

I've printed images as low as 120 dpi with good results on canvas. How important the print resolution really depends on the photo and paper. Generally though, the higher the number, the better.
posted by ajackson at 9:38 PM on February 22, 2012

150dpi is plenty. I did a bunch of 24x36 c-prints from Adorama from my 5D (original) that I up-rezed to 150dpi. They looked awesome. The mkII could go even larger if you desired.
posted by j03 at 9:53 PM on February 22, 2012

Yeah, 150dpi should be fine. I did two 40x60s a few weeks ago from my 5DII: one was at original camera resolution, the other I upsized to 300dpi (using the 5% at a time trick). I preferred the original.
posted by Hankins at 10:48 PM on February 22, 2012

My 5D Mk 1 could handle that fine so the II will be even better. Also, refuse the temptation to sharpen to recover the losses. It never turns out. Viewing distance is a factor. An Arch D size (24x36) is usually viewed from a good distance away and as such 300dpi is perhaps overkill on that situation anyways. It'll look stunning at that size...you'll be surprised.
posted by jimmythefish at 12:38 AM on February 23, 2012

I print that size and larger with images from the 5DmkII all the time - you'll have no problem.
posted by blaneyphoto at 3:51 AM on February 23, 2012

Talk with the vendor who is going to be printing the image.

If they specialize in large-format printing they will almost certainly have a fractal-based upsampling program which will give better results than Photoshop.
posted by omnidrew at 7:12 AM on February 23, 2012