Thanks Dave, I'd be glad to post them here, if I ever get any imaged tile to photograph that is.

I must say that I find this forum much more receptive to new ideas and suggestions than DSSI. I feel much more at home here. This site seems to lack the acrimony and personal attacks evidenced on DSSI, at least with respect to my posts.

People here are into the larger picture; engraving, signage, manufacturing as much as transfer technology. I find it refreshing that dye-sub (and lasar) is but a sub-note here.

I think that speaks well of the wider business interests here and parallels much more closely what I was accustomed to in my former sign business. Dye Sub would have been just one tool of many in my daily production schedule.

I probably should have become a 'regular' here years ago..... ;-) 

Mike, I spoke to my brother. He says he does use the combo to manipulate focus planes, but more often he is using it for perspective control. Here's a couple of samples. The 4x5 camera, BTW, is a Cambo, se he calls it the Canon Cambo Combo. :-) 

These first two were both taken with the combo, but the second had the focus manipulated:

http://www.redtengu.com/images/raw/Eric_1Ds_1.jpg

http://www.redtengu.com/images/raw/Eric_1Ds_2.jpg

In this next example they are two identical model reception desks, one dark brown, one light. They were both shot in the standard "3 point" angle, with the camera above the center line and looking down at the product.

The first one was shot with the Canon alone. The second one is that same shot with perspective correction done in Photoshop. The third one was done with the combo camera with perspective correction done by moving the lens board. The Canon only shot uses a slightly wider angle lens, which does exagerate the distortion, but it would be there with any lens because of the camera looking down on the subject.

http://www.redtengu.com/images/raw/Eric_1Ds_3.jpg

http://www.redtengu.com/images/raw/Eric_1Ds_4.jpg

http://www.redtengu.com/images/raw/Eric_1Ds_5.jpg

This perspective control is also important for architectural photos.

If Hula Mike stays, I'm outta here!!!!

;-) 

Chuck, the 20D has been updated to the 30D. Not really sure about the difference in features vrs price point, Canon's not my system. I'd check it out first though.

What I will suggest is that you stop trying to make your decision based on price alone. Its just like buying a new computer. Price/features are important today but in 6 months? It will all be forgotten. What you buy today will be cheaper tomorrow. Just buy now for the features you need and don't look back. If Canon rings your chimes, I'd go for the 5D.

Besides, any cam you buy is a write off, right? Initial cost really isn't a consideration.

Check this DPR comparison for the 20D, 30D and 5D:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos20d%2Ccanon_eos30d%2Ccanon_eos5d&show=all

If money is tight, you might add the Rebel XT to that comparison too. It's smaller and cheaper, which leaves more money for good lenses. It is amazingly packed with features.

But if you lean in that direction I'd go somewhere and hold one in your hand. It's a solid camera, but a bit smaller than the "standard" SLR size. It works OK for me, even though I have large hands, but it does feel a bit compact compared to holding one of the larger ones.