As of December 2008, I am thrilled to have a Canon EOS 5D Mk II camera. This camera is exciting to me for a number of reasons: a full-frame sensor (not a 1.6 crop sensor) giving me the full image from my lenses; 21 megapixel sensor, giving me amazing resolution; expanded ISO range (down to ISO 50 for time lapse photography, and usable higher ISO ranges for low-light conditions); live view on the LCD for accurate focus and exposure metering (especially useful for macro photography); and it records full HD video.

This is the current list of what I have:

Originally, I started off with a Sony 3MP digital camera, and quickly exceeded it's capabilities. Next, I upgraded to the Sony DSC-F717 5MP camera, and got fairly good results from it. It was a decent non-DSLR that had DSLR-like features, and allowed me to hone my skills. It was really good at capturing the vibrant colors of sunsets. The F717 served me well for 5 years, but I finally outgrew it (mainly, it was too slow and the fixed lens was too limiting). Pictures taken before March 2006 were from this camera.

In March of 2006 I bought my first DSLR, a Canon EOS 30D 8 MP camera. It took me a while to adjust to working with the features of a true SLR, but I finally got it worked out and started taking some pretty good pictures with it. I'm still struggling with sunsets, though. I found some aspect of this camera a little frustrating, particularly the lack of 'live view' on the LCD, which is very useful for macro photography. I also would have liked a larger ISO range.

When the Canon EOS 50D came out, I was pretty excited. It had live view, more resolution, and a few other neat features. I very nearly bought one...but then I started to hear rumors about a replacement for the 5D, which would have all of the features of the 50D, but much higher resolution, a better sensor, AND HD video support...wow! So, I held out, waited patiently, and sure enough, the 5D Mk II appeared...