[reeferaddict]

Rory - You'll be very happy with the D70s... IMO not quite a 20 or 30D but a very good camera for the price none the less... and Nikon's kit lenses actually fare a little bit better than Canon.

Ruth - I bought my 20D with the 17-85 IS kit lens, a decent all-round lens, and I have also acquired a 28-70 2.8L, 70-200 2.8L IS, 300 4.0L IS, 135 2.8 Soft Focus, and for wide I went with the 10-22 3.5-4.5. The 10-22 is an absolutely amazing lens for wide stuff. I couldn't recommend anything else after having owned this lens. I have compared it to the 17-85 and there simply is no comparison... I'll go through some of my images to post so you can have a look later this week. (Maybe some tank shots? haha)

I went all Canon this time as I had bought a Tamron 90 2.8 for my previous camera, (Digital Rebel), and it gave me an error on my 20D. I had it rechipped, but since sold it as I want all my lenses to be compatible with any future bodies I may get. (D1s Mark II) Right now my macro solution is a set of extension tubes I use primarily with the 135 prime lens. As far as I'm concerned you have the best macro lens Canon makes, (not counting the 180 3.5L) as long as you have the USM version. I really DO recommend going with manufacturers lenses for compatibility reasons along with the fact that they really hold their value as well. I'm so happy I went this route. With my previous system I was buying $300 - $500 consumer lenses and always wanted "one more lens"... Now that I have these, I have no desire to go out & get another lens as I know I can't get any better. Well... I DO desire a 600 f4... but that'll cost almost as much as my reef tank!

There ARE some awesome 3rd party lenses out there, but a little hit & miss with quality and compatibility issues, so another reason to stay with manufacturers lenses be it Canon OR Nikon... One thing about Nikon though, they have clearly shifted their focus to the consumer line as evidenced by the D50 commercials that are continuously on TV, while Canon has held the course with it's commitment to the "Prosumer" line they started with the Digital Rebel and 10D.