BearFeet Loc: San Diego, CA

I am doing stratigraphic field work that requires photographing geologic formations to document formation characteristics for publication & presentations. A widely used method is to take multiple photographs beginning far away to establish context & then moving closer in stages to reveal specific details, with the final photos being taken with a micro lens. My question is what camera body to use for this work. The over riding issue is resolution.

Because many of the locations require considerable hiking, I want to get it right the first time. I am considering 3 camera bodies: 1.) Nikon Df, 2.) Nikon D 810, & 3.) Nikon D 850. The Df has the advantage of size, weight & cost because I can use my existing vintage F2 film lenses. The disadvantage is pixel count. The advantage of the 810 & 850 are pixel count and very high resolution. The disadvantage is that these bodies may require purchasing several new lenses in addition to the bodies to obtain best results.

The incentive for going digital is the ease of manipulating the images & adding labels during post processing. I want to produce a high quality result, but I don’t want to break the bank. Which ever body is chosen, I will use it for future wild Life and landscape photography.

Your advise is appreciated. Thank you.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Are your vintage film lenses AIS or Pre/Non AIS? If they are AIS you can use them on any Nikon digital camera, but they will be fully manual. My manual Nikon 55mm macro with the 2x extension is my favorite macro lens. If you want the best resolution it seem seems the 850 ought to be the best bet. I don't see why it would need new lenses, or any lenses other than what you would use with the DF. Lighting would be as important as anything else, maybe a ring light for the macro shots.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Why don't you just rent a D810 and a 24-70, 28-300 lens? Depending on when you go, you could probably find a D850 for rent also.

You getting paid for the gig? If you are, the tax implications will allow you to write off the purchase and/or rental of the equipment.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

With regard to your first intended use --geological documentation-- any of the cameras you mention will do the job, but if the terrain you'll be hiking through is anything like mine, weight and bulk should be your first consideration. Though I own a FF Nikon (heavier body, heavier lenses), even now, when I know I'll be on foot over X number of miles, I'll carry my lightest camera (a Nikon D5300) and at most, two relatively lightweight zoom lenses. 24 megapixels is sufficient for virtually any of my needs, I'd bet they would be for yours as well. Likewise, with regard to your immediate intent --i.e., what you'll be producing for publication or presentations, which I'd guess are going to require more visual fidelity than physical size, any PP 'manipulating' you do after the fact is probably going to be minimal. For 20 years I did stuff along the lines of what you're doing, but with archaeological documentation, not geological documentation, so I feel your (upcoming) pain.

Then there's the question of what you want to do after your geology gig. Whoo-whee! I'll leave that to every body else who will tell you what you should get/spend.

BearFeet Loc: San Diego, CA

Bobspez
I have a mixture of both AI & non-AI lenses. Maybe I can get the non-AIs modified which is less expensive than new lenses. I anticipate using both my 55 & 105 macros. I like your idea of a ring light. I envy you in SUtah, a favorite place for me.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Welcome to UHH. Quality of images is critical to me and I assume yourself. With that said I would go with a D810 or if the budget allows it a D850.
Welcome to UHH

BearFeet Loc: San Diego, CA

rgrenaderphoto,
Good idea on the rentals. That will let me test & compare the results. I especially like the idea of a tax write off. I was not thinking along those lines. That is viable for this situation.

BearFeet Loc: San Diego, CA

Cany143,
You are correct about post processing being minimal. You are also correct about the weight issue. I will be carrying water & geology gear as well as the camera gear. I am still thinking this through. Enjoy SEUtah for me.That is s favorite place.

BearFeet Loc: San Diego, CA

Pixelstan77,
The 810 & 850 are more or less what I was thinking. I would rather have too much rather than not enough which supports the idea of running a comparison with rental units. Thanks.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Uh huh. Water. And food. And rain gear, just in case. And a GPS unit. (Maps don't weigh anything, not really, so I won't mention them.) And an extra pair of sox. And a Leatherman. And did I mention water? Or a water filtration rig? Or Water? Did I mention water? Being dead isn't really much of a learning experience. And if you'll be out for a few nights.............. I will/do enjoy SEUtah for you. Thanks.

BearFeet Loc: San Diego, CA

Cany143,
This is in the Salton Trough of S CA so water is no joke. Field season is over by mid-May.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Been there. Mid-May???? Damn, I'd be dead --or wish I was-- by the end of April!

Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA

Shlepping a pair of 850s, tripod and lenses (did anyone consider a back-up when 5 miles out the first one takes a tumble?) is no joke. How much file size do you need for enlargement, print and publication?

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Regardless of which camera, be sure to take a back up body. In rough terrain dropping a camera could result in significant damage.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

BF, welcome to the Hog.
If resolution is your priority then the D850 or 810 is the tool for the job. It has enough resolution to shoot horizontal and throw away all the lower half of the image. By doing so you won’t come have to correct for parallax distortion or have an expensive T/S lens. Agood 24-70 would probably be good for that. Look for an f4 to keep the weight and size down.
Forget the old lenses if you’re serious about this. That is no place for a Df.
As an archeologist I shot lots of stratigraphy but not of naturally exposed hill faces like you will probably do but from trenching/digs to record the layers of dark carbon based dirt of organic layers and floors!
Welcome and good luck.
SS