Architectural photography and Megapixels

W44NNE · 5 Jun 2015

I'm in the process of setting up a photography business which will mainly concentrate on Architectural photography. I'm very happy with all my equipment that I currently have, but I wondered if any of you are photographers in this field? If so, do you find clients often require very large prints?

Normally, megapixels don't bother me at all, but realistically, my 24MP camera will only offer a 150dpi print at around 36xXX inches. I haven't looked too much into interpolation, but even if it was possible, the thought of an extra process involved and therefore more time doesn't make me jump at the idea.

I'm at a stage where I could look at switching to something silly such as the Canon 5DS/sR, and if this will be beneficial, I'd rather know now compared to several months down the line when I've invested lots in my current system.

Jayst84 · 5 Jun 2015

Not personally, but know several people who are. I don't know any of them who are much interested in more pixels. Most seem to have 35mm cameras around the 20mp mark. 1DsMK3, 5D3, that type of thing.

Plenty of advertising folk who aren't that interested either. I mean, if you're sticking a photo 20 metres up in the air on a billboard, you aren't going to be printing it at 300dpi.

There's always a place for medium format, and large format (as much for movements as resolution). But how often do you really you need it?

StewartR · 5 Jun 2015

W44NNE said:
my 24MP camera....

What's that? A Nikon? I don't think there are any 24MP Canons, are there?

The reason I ask is that if you're even contemplating a 5Ds, then surely the TS-E 17mm and/or TS-E 24mm lenses must be of interest to you.

chris malcolm · 5 Jun 2015

Realistically how often will you be asked for more than 24MP? Why not hire a medium format when you are? If you can hold off a new purchase for a couple of years I wouldn't be surprised if a few 80-100MP FF cameras arrive, plus a few rather more affordable medium format cameras.

W44NNE · 5 Jun 2015

StewartR said:
What's that? A Nikon? I don't think there are any 24MP Canons, are there?

The reason I ask is that if you're even contemplating a 5Ds, then surely the TS-E 17mm and/or TS-E 24mm lenses must be of interest to you.

Thanks, yes those lenses are very high on my list.

chris malcolm said:
Realistically how often will you be asked for more than 24MP? Why not hire a medium format when you are? If you can hold off a new purchase for a couple of years I wouldn't be surprised if a few 80-100MP FF cameras arrive, plus a few rather more affordable medium format cameras.

After looking in to file sizes, the 5DSR comes out at over 220MB for uncompressed RAW. Probably best to stick with the "smaller" sensors of today for now.

scottishguy · 6 Jun 2015

StewartR said:
What's that? A Nikon? I don't think there are any 24MP Canons, are there?

The reason I ask is that if you're even contemplating a 5Ds, then surely the TS-E 17mm and/or TS-E 24mm lenses must be of interest to you.

Yes there is, my Canon 760D has 24MP.

nerv · 6 Jun 2015

or it could be sony a7 series, which are full frame and a7r goes up to 36mp

trevorbray · 7 Jun 2015

I'd think that Architectural photography would require movements. So either a tilt/shift lens or Large Format film camera with built in movements. Large format would be my choice. Huge negatives would equal massive enlargement possibilities. Drum scans will provide a digital file of enormous size.

Jayst84 · 7 Jun 2015

trevorbray said:
Large format would be my choice. Huge negatives would equal massive enlargement possibilities. Drum scans will provide a digital file of enormous size.

Depending on the clients you have, and the stuff you're shooting, it could also result in you going broke/peeing off your clients when a job takes X-times longer than it should do as well.

trevorbray · 7 Jun 2015

Jayst84 said:
Depending on the clients you have, and the stuff you're shooting, it could also result in you going broke/peeing off your clients when a job takes X-times longer than it should do as well.

The buildings aren't going anywhere. Not everything has to be instant.
But of course the client may have budget and time constraints.

Jayst84 · 7 Jun 2015

trevorbray said:
The buildings aren't going anywhere. Not everything has to be instant.
But of course the client may have budget and time constraints.

Yep, the buildings aren't going anywhere, but deadlines and budgets are.