[reeferaddict]

Shadowboy, I have the Tamrac Trekker 6 ... got it used for $75 on eBay in brand new shape... holds EVERYTHING, including a small laptop. Easy to customize, lots of flaps & pockets for batteries, cables, memory cards, lens cleaning supplies, you name it... I have 5 lenses (2 large lenses), a flash, macro tubes and an extender, and a body, and could fit more, and it's a fairly hefty but packable 40 or so pound backpack. Oh it will carry your tripod too...

Now I don't pack that thing around everywhere, so when I bought my battery grip, I bought a kit that actually comes with a Lowepro shoulder bag for the 20D. It can hold the camera with a lens, an extra lens or two depending on how big they are, and a flash along with compartments for other small accessories. The bonus for this one is it's lightweight and has an ergonomic carrying strap along with a fairly quick holster style space to put your camera.

Rory - listen man... I kinda get an idea of what you want to do, and just based on the amount of time you have considered your purchase and the careful questions you have asked, we can all tell this isn't an "impulse" buy. For that reason, don't go anything less than either Canon or Nikon DSLR's, you won't regret either... again just because I have a Canon doesn't mean I want you to buy a Canon, I've already stated earlier in this thread why I made my own decision so I won't go into that again but I do have some advice on the 18-200 VR in particular...

Go to Fred Miranda or DPReview and read up on the general consensus about "10X" zooms... I would tend to go with a 5x or less zoom combination along with a couple of cheap primes for tack sharp images. Then you have some shooting versatility along with some ability to take high quality images. Remember IS/VR or whatever doesn't do anything for you for moving subjects in less than favourable light... actual shutter speed is the best solution for sharp images, and this lens is pretty slow. At 18mm f3.5 will be fine, but by the time you zoom out to 150 you are at a max aperature of 4.5 - 5, and up to 300 you are at 5.6. You lose image quality at widest and longest, your autofocus will hunt, and you will be challenged to get fast enough shutter speeds to get the image quality you want.