For large print services in your part of the country, you might contact the people at http://www.inkjetgoodies.com. The are located in Moab, Utah. Really good people and have a direct connection to another good local resource, the Moab Paper Company.

The Canon EOS 5D is a good possibility for large prints like you are thinking of. But don't expect to get your hands on one unless you have already made a deposit with a store. I imagine the first ones in stores to leave as fast as they get in and never reach the shelf.

Warren,

You know I understand what you are saying. When it comes to printing from film and finding a good lab who will work with you it is very difficult. All the things you talk about are a concern. Just today I got angry at this place in town here that was going to do some printing for me. I had them order better paper because I would not accept what they had. They showed me they did not get it in for two weeks. I told them today to forget it.

With film there are a lot of prblems when going for bigger prints. 1. scanning your own works, but you need a pretty good scanner and need to know what size of file for print and the preferences for print size. That is not a problem for me, but dust, getting the image to match what their printer is set for can be a problem. I have scanned and recieved nice 24+36 prints from my scans. So I know it can be done. The thing is most labs have better scanners than I can afford. For film I like to use a drum scanner when I can, but drum scans can be exspensive. One other problem is getting a lab to crop or do any processing of the image before print. One of my main problems I have run into.

2. Because most bigger prints like 30+40 or larger demands large files and precise processing of that image to get the best quality print. Also means using slower film to gain the benifits of the enlargement.

3. I think going to the size you are talking about means 4+5 negs. Only way you get the quality you want to acheive.

So the bottom line is film worth the trouble. That is a personal choice.
I feel yes it is for me. Why. Because 1 I cannot afford a 3500 digital camera not counting the cost of a good lens to go with it. It would take me about four years to recover the cost.

I have struggled with everything you talk about here. Would I shoot 4+5 if I could? In a minute before I would go digital. I feel you would be hard pressed in large prints to come close to that in digital. The problem is still the same though. Quality film scans, finding good pritner to work with. So in reality I can see whay many are willing to pay the price and jump to digital. It just is easier to work with. I do not know what the Caon 5D can do. If it does what David says it will do then it just might be worth it. If you have shot 4+5 film you know what you can get there. I have seen only one large 30+40 print made from a 6 meg camera and I was not impressed with that one. The people who had it posted in their photoshop thought it was great. I think some get the idea I am hard core film. I am open to change,just not able to spend the kind of money it would take for me to feel it was worth it. Good Luck. I am looking forward to seeing what the new Canon will do. I have not been that impressed with the 16meg Canon for the price they want for that one. Monte Johnson.

Thanks about the information on the Moab store,Inkjet Goodies. They were listed on Epson's site as a supplier. I'll give them a call Monday.
I'm not tied down to Canon. I could use Kodaks DCS SLR/C or N models, but I do have a 10d with a couple of Canon lenses. I just believe the 5D being a newer model would have a better control of noise and related problems. I know that the Nikon D2X would be in the mix but it's another $2000.00 over Canon. I'll get their pro grade prime lenses though for the larger prints. I'll probably need all the help I can get. I do have the tripods and weights that I will need to study the camera. If there are more Megapixels required for the size of prints I want then film is it. I refuse to pay $8,000.00 to $30,000.00 for a camera to take a picture that can be done for a 1/3 to 1/4 of the price. I've got a lot of studying to do before I jump in. I hope that digital will work for me then I'll be able to do it all in house soon. Just one question, can these point an shoot digitals really produce a 20x30 quality print??

Warren,

With a 6 to 8 megapixel camera carefully used and saving to Raw and then carefully processed and adjusted, you can routinely obtain very good 13x19 prints that will rival similar prints made from 4000dpi scanned 35mm film. With some 5400dpi 35mm scans and some extraordinarily good 6 to 8 megapixel Raw digital camera files you can obtain good 16x20 prints. But that is pushing the limits of the information recorded either on film or digital.

The Canon EOS 5D is definitely a pro-level camera, and with 12.8 megapixels should support twice the print size and be comparable to at least the smaller medium format film size images up to 6x7cm. In a couple of months I expect my experience will allow me to change should to can.

You said it. The problem is spending that kind of money to get the size of prints you want. Using slower films good tripod I would not be afraid to print 30+40 with 645 format. I thingk even at 12 megs it would be pushing for that size. For 4000 to 5000 you can buy a nice film camera and figure in the price of film. True not as easy as digital, but I think you will be happier with the results. Monte Johnson.