How large have you printed with a pinhole negative?

[nsurit]

I've done a bit of pinhole photography and the largest I printed to date was an 11X14. My son-in-law has asked if a large mural size print might be produced with reasonable quality from either a 4X5 or 6X17 on 120 negative. I have the ability to produce either however would be interested in knowing what others have experienced. He is thinking color and perhaps 4 feet by 5 feet or perhaps 3 feet by 8 or 9 feet from the 120. Any ideas or experience with going large out there? I would have to have a lab print one this large in color. Bill Barber

 

[Jim Jones]

At best a 4x5 pinhole contact print will appear slightly unsharp at a normal reading distance. Therefore, a 4x5 foot enlargement will appear slightly unsharp across a small room. Perhaps this is acceptable to some viewers. Getting a mural size color print made to determine this seems expensive to this tightwad. Perhaps a less expensive poster print will settle the question.

 

[Bob Carnie]

I have printed 30x40 lith prints from 35mm pinhole negs.
they look wonderful

 

[keithwms]

I have seen ~4 ft prints from 4x5 pinhole, taken on acros. They certainly looked credible to my eye. Scott (Flying Camera) may recall who that was, hit was a photographer had a small show in DC. Federal scenes, as I recall. N.b. the final prints were not analogue and I was too polite if they were digitally sharpened, but they looked undoctored and quite effective.

Anyway, roughly speaking, at enlargements bigger than ~1:1 (contact print), the lack of detail will become evident. But that doesn't mean that the image falls apart.... if the method is suited to the subject, you can go much larger.

 

[bdial]

I have a friend who routinely prints his 4x5 pinhole shots at 16x20. They look fine.
Pinhole shots always lack detail, it's the nature of the beast, but at a reasonable viewing distance for the print size it's not something you notice any more than you would with a smaller print viewed closer.
As Keith says, if the method suits the subject the print size doesn't matter much.

 

[removed account4]

i hear guillaume z's 35mm pinhole work is printed HUGE and looks fantastic.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Yes they do, got a couple of them hanging in our space.

i hear guillaume z's 35mm pinhole work is printed HUGE and looks fantastic.

 

[Terje Lindal]

I’ve had a pro lab printing 1,5*2 meters (6 ft * 8 ft) from a 120 (6*7) pinhole for an exhibition a few months ago - printed on aluminum. Sold the picture for about 820 $ (5000 Norwegian Krones) to a couple who to have it in their living room.
I guess the price they were happy to pay kind of indicates the quality.....

 

[walter23]

Anyway, roughly speaking, at enlargements bigger than ~1:1 (contact print), the lack of detail will become evident. But that doesn't mean that the image falls apart.... if the method is suited to the subject, you can go much larger.

I think you hit it on the head Keith. There's no answer to this question; it just depends on whether the image is suitable for such a big display, taking into account the appearance the pinhole capture method will lend to it.

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

Totally agree with walter on the suitability of the image. I print conventionally and lith to 16X20, but stick to scenes where cloud motion is the main subject. Those are great. If the subject requires any detail, I forget about it. Might have something to do with my pinholes and camera motion.

 

[SMBooth]

Rob would be interested in seeing some of your lith pinholes, do you have a web site?

 

[Bob Carnie]

Not sure are you referring to me. If so the pinhole negs I printed large are Guilluame Zilli and you can look at his work on his website.

Rob would be interested in seeing some of your lith pinholes, do you have a web site?

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Bill

Print them as large as you like. The beauty of pinholes is to not worry about image resolution, but if you're concerned about that, just take a step back. Image resolution improves with viewing distance.
I'm not joking!

 

[PVia]

Not sure are you referring to me. If so the pinhole negs I printed large are Guilluame Zilli and you can look at his work on his website.

Zulli

 

[Guillaume Zuili]

No... Zuili

 

[Guillaume Zuili]

There are also some on the gallery here.
If you want sharpness with pinhole you can simulate it by bringing contrast and black way up.
Lith printing is the best for this.
G.

 

[PVia]

No... Zuili

Ha, ha, ha...foot in my mouth again. But I knew that Bob had it wrong...

...and Bob should know better ;-)

So sorry and thanks for the correction.

 

[Bob Carnie]

These french guys and their funny names, I never get them right.


Jerry

Ha, ha, ha...foot in my mouth again. But I knew that Bob had it wrong...

...and Bob should know better ;-)

So sorry and thanks for the correction.

 

[Mike Wilde]

i hear guillaume z's 35mm pinhole work is printed HUGE and looks fantastic.

I was going to comment on Mr. Z's work when I saw this thread.

He had prints in a show in town at Elevator before they moved to thier current location. He actualy was there at the openning, but I did not get a chance to speak with him.

The prints were awesome to see, and BIG - maybe 30x40.

Grain was not quite 'golf ball' sized, but came close, but the effect was what he was aiming for.

 

[Guillaume Zuili]

No problem
G.

 

[SMBooth]

Not sure are you referring to me. If so the pinhole negs I printed large are Guilluame Zilli and you can look at his work on his website.

Actuality I meant Rich, but maybe secertly meant Bob, and typed both names . But happy to see all pinhole.