I hesitate to mention this, but all of the raw processing and post processing manipulations you are palnning on doing to getthe print size and detail resolution you want for this photo are more simply handled by renting a 4x5...
No, you are right. I had originally thought of using a medium or large format camera but then I'd read that Andreas Gursky uses a medium format camera and stitches shots together. Then the D800 was announced and I thought I'd go down that route. I should look again at a large format camera. Scanning such an image will cost a few bob.
@fike:
Keep us posted on your progress. I am excited to see your work. Where are you planning to display this piece?
I will. It will take a couple of months though as I need to wait for the weather to improve and to plan the trip. If it does get exhibited it will probably be in London where I am based.
@elf:
3 or 4 shots at each frame will leave you with focus banding
Yes, I noticed from the thread that Justan pointed me to that I might need 5 or even 7 shots per tile. If I used the D800 that would imply up to 250 shots! A large format camera with tilting lens would seem to make more sense.
Some more thinking required. Thank you all for your kind advice.