I'm not a Pro but I'd love to become a very good photographer nevertheless. I don't want to start a business, I've already a good day job, but I'd love to get published in magazines, in books or exhibits. So far I've used an SLR film camera (Canon EOS Elan 7ne with two cheap Sigma zooms) and the results are very promising. My photography teacher (in a photography gallery/association, not college), who has taught many people over the years, used to tell me that I've an amazing eye for photography and that I was one of her most promising students ever. In reality I feel like a beginner even if I've read and studied a lot the subject, so much so that I feel thrilled to learn always more. I ask my question here because I do not want an answer by some rich guy who delights himself in an expensive hobby (no disrespect to these users, but I don't fit in the category), I'd like to have answers from professionals/artists who make rational choices over the equipment that they purchase usually with a given budget, rather than based on the impulse buying to fill a signature on the forum. (Of course professionals spend a lot because they have a ROI, that I won't have, but I still think you have the best judgment in the field).
It's the photographer that makes the difference not the equipment, but given that I've to spend a substantial amount of money, I'd love to get the best bang for the buck.
So I propose you a small fun game/exercise that will most likely help me a lot. I'll give you a bit of background information about what I like to shoot, what's my budget and what sites I'll shop at... and I propose that you put yourself in my shoes, and put together a list of what you would get. 
CURRENT EQUIPMENT
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The current equipment will be sold as trade-in in case I pick a brand that is not Canon, otherwise will be kept but only the Flash will be usable in the digital land:
Canon EOS 7ne
Sigma 24-70mm (not compatible with digital)
Sigma 70-300mm (not compatible with digital)
Canon EX420 flash
Canon Powershot A80
(I don't have any indoor equipment like softboxes, backdrops, etc...)
I also own a decent SLIK tripod that I won't be trading in.
PURPOSE
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Mostly people photography, portraits, street, indoor and outdoor beauty models, fashion, and similar. I'd also like to do stock photography as well (including still life). Sport and Nature/Travel/Landscape photography will be done but are not the main focus at all.
PRICES
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For the sake of this experiment, please use http://henrys.com
, http://cameracanada.com and http://downtowncamera.com as I'll buy from them.
This is for the Camera/Lenses, for other stuff feel free to use other sites as price reference.
BUDGET
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My budget is $2000 (Cnd) including taxes. I know it will seem to you very tight, but I'll be honest, I'm not rich and 2K to me is a lot of dough. If I don't get a Canon camera, you can account for an extra $400 for the trade in. If you select a Canon camera, don't consider the Sigma lenses, as they won't work but the flash will.
QUIRKS
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I plan to spend not more than $600 dollars a year or so, therefore I won't be the typical amateur who changes its expensive dslr body every year.
I've tried a Canon XTi and it's very plasticky and don't like the feeling at all (but the size and weight of my Elan feels good).
So all I'm asking you do to is to list what items would you buy within the budget buying at the sites indicated above and with my purpose of photography in mind.
I'm immensely grateful to anyone who'd want to play along and help me out.
Thanks in advance,
Zen
