Ok all, time to start considering a bit more gear- I'm sort of thinking of expanding my kit a bit if the Aussie dollar rises a bit. My wife and I are both photographers, and I'm hoping to start selling the odd landscape/macro shot in the next few years, just in local galleries/stores etc. I could be talked into doing a bit of portrait work, but I'm not crazy about it, and wouldn't buy gear specifically for that sort of work.
I'm currently using a 30D, 10-20, 17-40, 24-105, 100/2.8 Macro, 100-400, 28/2.8 and 50/1.8 II, 430EX and a cheap but effective Chinese tripod. NOW- I'm not selling anything- so that's not an option!
Here's why I'm thinking expansion:
1) I'd like to be able to crop more- particularly into the 16:9 format, while retaining really good image quality. My 30D does a good job, but I feel more MP might help a bit.
2) I'd like a more weather-resistant body, as 90% of my work is in the rainforest, BUT the 30D and 350D I've been using have not given me any problems in the really bad Tasmanian weather. Weather-resistance is just one more consideration.
3) I'd really like to get a tilt-shift lens, particularly the 24/3.5, but I'm skeptical of using it on the 30D in the twilight conditions I'm often shooting in, as I worry that the viewfinder would be too small/dark to use it accurately.
4) I could really use either a light but strong tripod of decent quality, with a good ball heead, or something like a Bogen PROB055 w/ 488RC2 Ballhead, for hiking and macro, but couldn't afford this with a $2000 camera.
BUT on the other hand, I'm probably not good enough to merit an expansion of gear.
What would you get in my shoes? The budget is at a max with these options, incidentially!
1Ds Mk II



