try to compare an 80MP back at f/9 or f11 against f16 or f/22. You may think differently.
Take a look at the post at f22 where the poster was losing resolution. Also, this was with a 60MP back, it only gets works with an 80. The original images have been taken down, but you can get the conclusion from he comments.
http://www.getdpi.com/forum/medium-...s/47332-my-thoughts-after-48-hours-iq260.html
Torger mentioned expensive gear and getting the most out of it with optimal f-stops, I would add to this, the effort of getting to a location. Specifically, I wanted to get the best I could given the trouble I had taken to get there. Had this not been the case, I would have taken my A7R or D800E. I didn't have to lug an MFDB kit and heavy tripod with CUBE. So while all the advise on resolution not being the be-all and end-all is great, it is a little motherhood and apple pie without context. Surely, we are all beyond a first year college course in photography. We all realize that we would still rather have the shot.
My question was how to maximize DoF in as few shots as possible given the subject.
In any case, we are way off topic. To wrap up the recommendations here:
1. Focus stack is likely still the best option
2. Could play with tripod hight and use back rise to get similar framing with longer subject distance
3. Play with multiple swing planes (vertical focus planes on the sides) and stack in post.