dino21 wrote:
Yes I know, but I am sure that what I am using as a tripod, head, etc are all secondary to the questions I am asking. I know that using a tripod is a must but I am also sure that a legitiamate question is to whether it matters in what setting to shoot in order to have the maximum possible pixels should be a simple question. You say shoot in raw which I know lets you work with the picture as far as adjusting it but if you will read the question, how do I take the raw and save it into something that an online lphoto developer will not send me something to say I need more pixels? It seems that the answer above is nothing helpful at all. REagardless of what size of a print, what the subject matter is or what lens I am using ......what do I need to be concerned with as far as taking the picture in the first place..... Yes I know how to shoot a raw picture...its saving it to something with the best pixels that I need to know.
Yes I know, but I am sure that what I am using as ... (
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You don't need to use a tripod, but it can help in some situations.
The pixel count doesn't change with file format. You can shoot jpeg or raw and you will have the same number of pixels. If your image is of average contrast and does not require much post processing, you can use jpeg. If you anticipate high contrast lighting, it may be best to shoot raw for more and better post processing options. But if you already know how to shoot raw, you already know what the benefits are of shooting either format. If you shoot raw, you know that you will need to convert that file to a jpeg or tiff for printing.
A raw file must be converted to a bit mapped image in order to be printed or viewed. When you edit a raw file you are not editing the image. You are editing the instructions (metadata) that creates the image that you can actually see and print. The preview you see on screen is not the actual image, but a small preview of the image to allow you to see the results of the changes you are making.
You have not provided the physical size of the image you are hoping to print. The size of the print has EVERYTHING to do with how many pixels you need. Viewing distance will determine how many pixels you need.
http://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/printing/resolution/1_which_resolution_print_size_viewing_distance.htmGetting the "best pixels" really depends on the print lab you select and what media you want to use. They will answer your questions about how many pixels and what format they need to get the image in for maximum quality. You will need to decide what media you will be printing on - metal print, canvas, fine art paper, vinyl, etc. Some labs, like Bay Photo, suggest that when their client wants work printed onto fine art media, that the images be submitted as 16 bit Adobe RGB. That would be the "best pixel" based on their setup for fine art printing. Other labs using an ultra-wide gamut Roland Symphony printer might ask for an image in ProPhoto color space.
In your case you need to consider all of the above, to determine what you need to do with the camera.
For example, if you want to print a 36" tall 72" long panorama, you "need" about 40 ppi - which would require your image to be a minimum of 2880x1440 px, or 4.2 mp. Yes, that is all you need. The human eye cannot resolve fine details at a distance, and larger prints generally require greater viewing distances. You've seen the billboards advertising the iPhone's camera - those billboards are created with actual images from the 8 and 12 mp iPhone camera.
All of the questions I have asked will have some influence on the approach and the result.
I read your question and what I see is someone who is completely in over his head, lacking some very fundamental knowledge and skills (shooting raw, stitching a panorama, converting raw to a raster file, post processing, ppi requirements for large prints, etc), making some wild assumptions about what he needs (and doesn't need) and making poor judgement calls on what constitutes good and bad advice, with a hefty dose of arrogance thrown in for good measure.
I sincerely wish you the best of luck in your quest to get the answers you are looking for. There is nothing more I can do to help you - I have tried my best - even though I have done exactly what you are hoping to do many times over the past 51 yrs I've spent as a photographer.