ok - well if you are going to stitch together multiple files, then you could just use a FF DSLR, why even bother with MF? get a good pano head, set the camera vertically and away you go. DX3, 1Ds2, or even just a 5D2. Photoshop will even automate it for you and life is good!
If, despite what you say, you really DO want another system, then sure, use MF to accomplish the exact same thing. With distant landscape panos, Tech cameras with LLS (Lens Locked Stitch) ability are not required, I'd agree.
1) Quality is more than resolution
Meaningful resolution (actual resolved subject detail) is only one aspect of image quality. Measurable differences like DR, color fidelity (especially in shadows), file flexibility, micro contrast, and less measurable differences like lens draw, "look" "3Dness" "tactileness" etc are very different between a FF dSLR and a MF system.
2) Workflow
"Photoshop will even automate it for you" is a gross exaggeration. Any workflow involving stitching is a significantly tedious one compared to single-frame workflows especially as the frame count rises. If you don't mind sitting in front of a computer (I'm not making fun here - it varies from one person to the next - I spend a lot of time in front of computers and don't mind as much as a lot of more traditional shooters) then stitching is pretty strait forward and has gotten a LOT easier (and better) in the last several years with newer generations of software. But it is still nowhere near as easy as single frame shooting or "stitching"/blending on a tech camera.
3) Don't underestimate to resolution of high-end backs
Although dSLRs are coming up in resolution they are still pretty low compared to higher end digital backs and with the AA filter and often glass which is not as sharp per pixel as a good MF lens, dSLRs resolve less detail per pixel than digital backs. Also the overlap you need for stitching is 15-20% of the frame width and height. Finally any stitching by rotation requires you crop into the final composite frame (for long lens stitching it's a small crop, for wide angles it can be a very large crop). Accordingly a 22mp dSLR will need to shoot can take anywhere between 4 and 8 frames to match the final subject detail of a single frame from a P65+, and many many frames to match a simple 2-frame P65+ stitch. Even then you're looking at a higher-resolution version of the dSLR file quality.
4) Annoyances of stitching
In addition shooting several or many frames poses it's own problems of changing light, subject motion (e.g. blowing branches on a group of willow trees, herds of animals, clouds etc). These problems are
not insurmountable, but can often be very annoying, especially for stitching more than 2 or 3 frames.
----
You can twist all these numbers a little either direction (I can only base my numbers off my own testing and use) but it's easy to underestimate the post-processing work of a workflow centered around multi-frame dSLR stitching if your goal is very high quality large prints. It's also a less tactile and direct way of interacting with your camera when shooting - this may not bother some people, but I want my actual experience shooting in the field to be fun and enjoyable, not just "productive"; single-frame and LLS-stitching feel to me (very subjective) more fun and multi-frame dSLR stitching feels like work to me.
Almost all of my shooting at the getDPI workshops I've attended have been on tech cameras with 2, 3, or 4 frame lens-locked stitching. There just isn't anything else like it. Amazing quality - tactile and enjoyable shooting experience (AFTER the first several hours getting familiar with the camera and shooting process - the first several hours are a real PITA).
http://www.captureintegration.com/2010/02/09/oregon-panoramics/
http://www.captureintegration.com/2009/06/24/getdpi-arizona-workshop-vertical-stitches/
Just my two (biased but as honest as I know how) cents.
We very often have the feedback from new MF shooters that "this beats the @^*# out of stitching".
Doug Peterson (e-mail Me)
__________________
Head of Technical Services, Capture Integration
Phase One, Leaf, Cambo, Canon, Apple, Profoto, Eizo & More
National: 877.217.9870 *| *Cell: 740.707.2183
Newsletter: Read Latest or Sign Up
RSS Feed: Subscribe
Buy Capture One at 10% off
Personal Work