peter_ng1

At 16x20" there is only a marginal improvement moving up to 4x5 from 6x7 especially if you go the scan and digital output path. I use a 4x5 camera and also use 6x7 and 6x9 backs and have had enlargements of similar shots made from 16x20 up to 40x60". You will start to notice significant improvements when you are getting bigger than 20x30". I suspect if you using a dedicated 6x7 camera like the mamiya 7 or pentax67 the margin is even less at 16x20 because of the better quality lens in medium format. I personally get my enlargements printed tradionally on ilfochrome in sizes up to 20x30". Where I live this is the significant cheaper pathway and I have good working relationship with the printing guy. In over 100 prints done I haven't had to complain or return a print for a redo. The digital pathway is however much more flexible and superior in very large prints or trannies which would benefit from post scanning work(eg high contrast scenes)

I use portra 160 vc which is the only colour neg film(5x4) available

in my area and it makes excellent prints using a darkroom enlarger.

It scans well using an Imacon scanner with final print on a Lambda. I

occasionally push it to 400 for indoor group shots and it holds up

pretty well.

 

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Peter Ng