J McCabe, i understand your frustration about the cost of computer equipment and camera gear. Heck, at my firm, when i am requesting new gear and or computers I practically got to write entire proposals just to get the budget approved for the gear. It gets even harder at home trying to convince my wife, but, at the end of the day, this is a very exciting time to be a photographer and in technology. Anyone who thinks a new computer now will be relevant or even usable in 5-10 years have to be kidding themselves given how quickly technology is changing. 5 years ago a 1 gig CF card almost cost me close to $100, now I can pick up that same one off of ebay or any other retailers for maybe $10-15. Things are getting cheaper but more expensive at the same time. I understand its tough to keep up with costs and expanding technology, to fight it, it's almost futile.
If you want to switch over to nikon, sony, fuji or whatever, feel free, no one is holding your feet to the fire, but for me, professionally, I know that while I do not need the size 90% of the time that my cameras can deliver, I know i've got it in my back pocket for the few times I do need it. When I had the 30D and 40D, I used to upscale prints when I needed to do my magazine ads for double page spreads, but with the 7D and 5D, I know I can shoot the same image with no upscale needed at 300 dpi.
Most people dont need, want, or wish to shoot professionally, however it's good to have that option when you need it. And when you dont, you dont need to shoot at full Raw or Full size jpeg... It is what it is.
