Senior Photog

Roy,
That certainly is a UNIQUE suggestion!
Hadn't thought about it. Looks like I found a goldmine of information concerning my camera!
Thank you and the other Hogs!
...Joe in NJ

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

I think you mean Focus Stacking which is used for obtaining sharpness through out the images DOF if the ƒ stop chosen and or Hyperfocal can't get you what you want. Stitching is generally for Pano's. BTW the D850 can do Focus Stacking (new focus shift feature) within camera, although I hear finishing up the infinity end shots should be done manually after the 850 is done doing it's thing. IMO, I recommend Helicon focus setup or doing it manually.

If you decide on Nikon, for sure Nikon 14-24mm ƒ2.8 or even the 16-35mm ƒ4. I don't know why you need a ƒ1.4 (a more costly lens) for landscapes unless you plan on using it for portraiture??? You're going to be shooting I would think ƒ8-ƒ11 (topping out at about ƒ16) with any given lens before a form of distortion known as diffraction comes to the game.

Low Budget Dave

Most of the replies will center around the Sony A7Riii, Nikon D850, or the 50MP Canon 5DS R.

But a lot depends on what you need it for. If you are shooting landscapes, you can save (a lot of) money by going with the Sony A7Rii. The Rii does not focus nearly as fast as the Riii, but for landscape work, it hardly matters.

In addition, sharpness can be very dependent on the lens you choose, and how much image stabilization you need. If you are shooting on a tripod, you can save (a lot of) money by choosing a non-IS lens on a non-IS camera.

It also depends on whether you need sharpness or "apparent" sharpness. If you are printing something about 8" x 10", then you can actually gain a lot of "apparent" sharpness by using a slightly lower resolution camera. This is because the pixels on the sensor are so much larger that the printing algorithms work better. If you look at full-frame photos on the 16MP sensors, they have a "sharp" look to them when printed that they do not have when you blow them up an pixel-peep.

If you do not need low-light capabilities or shallow depth of field, you can even use MFT cameras. I don't recommend it, because you might need low-light capability later on, but in good light, the apparent sharpness of a good lens on a good MFT camera is stunning. Not only will the pictures look every bit as good printed out, but they might actually look better on a computer screen, depending on your screen.

If you need an all-around camera for photos, video, and all sorts of projects, then go with the Sony A7Riii. They are available around $2800 these days, and you can't go wrong. The Nikon D850 and Canon 5DS R are about $1000 extra, but you can't go wrong with those either.

If you have a huge pile of cash, then the Leica SL is about twice as much, but even better.

There are some obscure cameras that are just as good for certain specialized uses, but nobody ever got fired for showing up with Canon.

anotherview Loc: California

Whatever you decide, you may wish to consider renting gear to try before buying.

Consider Canon products if for no other reason than it has the largest market share. It offers a plethora of lenses, too. You will find third-party support for its cameras also via lensmakers like Sigma.

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

Not long after it hit the market I purchased a Pentax K-1 which I use solely for landscapes almost always on a tripod, switching from a Canon 60D. I have never regretted this move and doubt there is a better dslr for landscapes.. The resolution of the 36 mp sensor is outstanding, especially when Pixel Shift Resolution is used. Some reviews have stated that with PSR the resolution is equal or nearly equal to a medium format camera. I don't have the recently released K-1 II but the added capability of PSR handheld is an improvement. And the price is significantly lower than competitors equivalent models. Someone will probably claim there aren't adequate pentax mount lenses available. Not so - there are excellent lenses available in all useful focal lengths for landscape photography.

A new full frame camera with an adequate lens kit for all types of landscape use is a major investment. It would be a shame to buy something and then be dissatisfied. After you have narrowed your choices somewhat it might be a good idea to rent two or three and compare. The best full frame dslr's now available are great for landscapes, especially if you want to make very large prints. Choose carefully and good luck.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I think the OP would also be well served by being more specific about the project including the wished for results and the demands of the client. What exactly is the subject? How large might you need to print? Is getting the picture in one shot really necessary?

sergiohm

Dslr- Nikon D850, nikon 70-200 f2.8e fl ed vr, Nikon 24mm f/1.4G AF-S ED
Mirror less - Sony A7RIii, 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS, Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

That is a very impressive and convincing comparison, showing that Pentax’s “red headed step child reputation” is certainly undeserved!

To Joe, the OP, why not use your experience in large format film and high res scans, if you have to have digital files? You can’t get much better affordable resolution than a big piece of film!

Stan

Senior Photog

I took thousands of 4x5 shots while in a
government photo lab. Yes, the sharpness would be great. On this project, a full frame dslr should be fine. This is not a scientific project but I want to produce
better than average shots.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Joe:
For your needs get a canniksonpent. It will fit within your budget. With it I would get a lens!

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Also sometimes written Can/Nik/Son/Pent.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"I have a future project that will require the highest level of sharpness I can produce, with reason."

Many photographers are obsessed with sharpness and many more want to shoot with the most expensive and the "best." It is hard for me to understand because modern lenses with all of their technologies are sharp enough and I have said here before that sharpness has a lot to do with us not necessarily with the lens. I cannot remember a lens I used that did not do its part when I did mine.
Sharpness cannot be glued to a full frame camera because APS sensors do exceedingly well, especially with a professional optic and I do not mean that a professional optic is strictly necessary for sharpness. You already have taken the first step for sharpness using a tripod and in my case, even using a lens with VR I prefer my tripod when I am really serious about the images I am going to make.
Nikon made about 10 years a go an APS camera that was called the Nikon D200. That camera had the same sensor used in the professional D2X and if memory does not fail it sported a CCD sensor. It is said that actually there is no difference in quality between both sensors, something I will not argue but that camera had a first generation Nikon colors. I still cannot reason why I did not buy one! It had, to my eyes, the most beautiful pastel colors I have seen in a Nikon camera. I used a borrowed one in the Everglades National Park mainly for scenery and the images I made with the D200 blew my mind. I cannot duplicate those colors with my present cameras.
If you use large format cameras it calls my attention that you are looking for sharpness in the smaller format when indeed it is very hard to beat the quality of a medium or large format negative.
I am sure you have the experience and the expertise to select, if you are familiar with present cameras exactly what you need.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Adorama is also in the city. Give them a look see.

trinhqthuan Loc: gaithersburg

Naptown Gaijin

Why would you recommend a 200mm lens for landscapes?
Have you ever used a 200mm lens for landscapes?