Resolution needed for large format enlargements

[shutterclutz]

I'm looking for some basic guidelines on what size enlargements to expect from different size resolution cameras. I'm thinking of getting a large format printer and would like to make up to 24 x 36 inch prints. How large a megapixel camera would I need to be able to make decent prints that size??

 

[Plekto]

The camera labs use a 400DPI dye sublimation printer. All but one line of consumer models use 300DPI - and it's a noticeable difference. I consider this to be the minimum standard for pixels, so the math works out to:
14,400*9600=138Megapixels for film quality
Blowing it up to acceptable losses - figure 200DPI, minimum, spread out to 400DPI.
That's 7200*4800= ~34Megapixels. This is what I would consider good for large-format printing. Most everyone uses large or medium format film at this point, as it's just too grainy and pixellated and you see every artifact and moire with digital. Dropping to 50% of that, 100DPI, will result in images that look like a 300DPI inkjet. Kind of icky, IMO, but doable at 8.6MP.

You'll spend several thousand on a dedicated camera, plus more on good leneses, plus tons more on the printer and paper. A Mamiya 645 is probably your best bet. Medium format film is comparable to ~40Megapixels. Yes, printing 36*24 is costly, but a smart photographer uses a proof sheet or gets 4*5 prints for a less than a dollar each.(film is cheap to process)

But... That aside, large pieces of kodak paper are pricey. But it takes a LOT of prints to equal the cost of a digital medium format setup plus printer.

(~40 Megapixel cameras are um - tad pricey - lol)
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/Cramer.shtml
Nice writeup. Notice the silly sizes - 500mb a shot after it uncompresses on your computer. Need boatloads of ram as well.

Note how a $5 roll of film edges out a 40 megapixel camera, though it's awfully close. He also notes that he blows things up to about the size you are mentioning(30*40 inches) and it looks fine with either.

http://www.phaseone.com/
Now onto the nitty-gritty. Let's say you really REALLY want to do large format pictures. And you're willing to handle a bit less than film quality, say 20MP.

A Mamiya 645AF kit can be had for under $1500 if you shop around. This has a film back, though. Add in a Digital back if you want and enjoy. Note - these cost $5000+, but can be a real cost-savings down the road. Use film if you want, in a pinch.