I'm a super keen macro photographer, with a Canon EOS 30D (my new baby), with an EFS- 17-85mm zoom and an 100mm EF series macro w/ extender ring (my even newer baby).

For anyone going from compact or consumer digital SLR to the pro digi SLR market, check whether the model you are looking at includes viewfinding through the LCD screen. This is something that is now being addressed, but up until recently, the pro Canon range only used the standard viewfinder, with the LCD screen only being capable of reviewing shots. I'm not sure whether the Nikons were the same. This was not clear in the tech specs, because it was assumed by their marketing dept. that anyone buying pro was coming across from the pro film market and would have known this (or preferred to use a traditional viewfinder). I bought my Canon through a pro camera department and specced it quite thoroughly so was very surprised when I found out about this limitation after purchase (as I had been quite clear about what I was upgrading from). Anyone with glasses, like me, will know that using an LCD compared a traditional viewfinder is much easier so this is something that anyone going from compact or consumer digi SLR to pro should consider.

Canon have just released the 40D and have addressed this issue and the super-huge LCD screen (3 inches!!!) can be used as a viewfinder. I am so, so, so annoyed - and have told partner he's now not allowed to buy beer and plasma screen with baby bonus because I want one... (kidding, really I am!!)

Also, if any Canon users are considering macro lenses, go for the EF series (1x magnification), rather than the MP-E65 1-5x magnification lens. The MP-E65 is an incredibly powerful lens, but is really designed for studio work and is not very suitable for field work. I doubt it could be used without a tripod because of the weight (and extension length at 5x magnification), even with a really fast shutter speed, and at 5x magnification the focal length is about 5mm from the subject. The EF series of macros have autofocus, which makes them a much more flexible lens. And the magnification can be increased using extender rings.

At the moment I do mostly plants/nature/avant objects shots which I retouch in photoshop, and am in the starting stages of setting up a small company doing custom framed art photography and cards to keep me out of trouble / in finances once kiddo arrives.

Can't wait to play with my new camera babies on my real baby when he finally emerges (8 +/- weeks to go). There will probably be lots of macro soft focus arty shots of toes, eyelashes and fingers which will annoy my Mum no end so I'll have to take some shots of the whole baby just to keep her happy. Sigh...

P.S. Alan, I really sympathise - it's now at a point where guys have to be really careful about almost anything they do around kids - a great way to promote good paternal relationships - isn't it?