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.

Chuck,

Like I've been trying to suggest, don't fall prey to the 'pixel war' comparisons. There is simply so much more involved with image quality than captured image size.

Do you honestly think an image from a 6MP cell phone is equal to a 6MP DSLR like the Nikon D70 or Canon D20 with a good lens? Trust me. it's not.

And like I've also tried to suggest, two mediocre (slow) lenses represent no bargain or value for you in the long run if image quality is a concern.

Just like you'd check out performance between competing mfgs of lasar engravers or heat presses, you should do the same with selecting a camera system. That's all. Just be wary of the sales hype and learn enough to be a smart consumer.

That said (I know you and others will be blown away by the following no doubt) almost any camera in the hands of someone who is a seasoned photographer and digital image editor will be fine. Gasp! you say? heresey??

Why? A camera isn't a magic wand. You need to know how to photograph and edit a digital image, maximise it for the intended output. I could spend months here explaining how to do that (and probably will) but the salient point is that you need to know what you're doing first. Your new DSLR won't do it for you. Its a dumb machine that requires human intervention.

There are literally hundreds of books published on digital photography and editing technique. There's a reason for that, its a very deep subject. And there are no shortcuts. Sorry.

I have an interesting story in that vein. My father is a professional travel photographer. He was at an annual convention a couple of years ago (might have been the Society of American Travel Writers). They handed out cheap drugstore disposable cameras to a couple dozen photographers and set them loose for the afternoon. At the end of the day they collected the cameras and took them to a local 1 hour processor. They then enlarged them and put them on exhibit for the final day of the convention.

Many of the images were simply amazing, and most people, even many of the photographers, couldn't believe they had come from disposable cameras. It just proves what you are saying. The eye of the photographer is often more important than the equipment.

Right Dave.

How that translates here for the pro engraver/commercial image maker is that you need to have an eye for composition.

But the 'average Joe' in this industry would like a digital point and shoot camera similar to what your dad used at that event, one that produces a good image with little effort. Wouldn't we all? But that's not possible really with respect to commercially viable imagry.

No disrespect intended, but the experiment you described didn't really produce high end commercial images. It showcased that a few talented photographers could use any camera and make a nice looking snapshot.

The rest of us I'm afraid still need discipline and a good understanding of photography if we want to work with photographs on a commercially viable level.