10.2015 Update.

Michael has switched to a Canon 5DSr 35mm digital camera. It's the best of it's kind att this point, a 50+ mega pixel, full frame camera. He's got two lenses, both zooms, one a 24-105, he purchased with the camera and shot Italy with, and two months later added a longer one, a 100-400mm, which he shot Hawaii with.

6.2013

Update, Michael has gone digital! He bought a digital back for his Hasselblad this month.

To see samples of what this 20 mp, but large sensor, camera back can do, go here: Leaf Aptus Digital Back.

10.2011
Well, Michael's 'main' camera is still a film one; Hasselblad, a 2-1/4" negative and four 'fixed' lenses. He does, however, also shoot a lot with his 35mm one too. Which one?  Well, for the past few years it's been a Canon Digital Rebel XTi (because he already had a 35mm Canon Rebel FILM camera, and since the lenses are interchangeable with the digital cameras he stuck with it).  BUT also, Canon had been a little better in the development of better digital cameras, maybe not so much now, mostly in how fast the 'auto-focus' functioned, but not so much no, Nikon and others all focus fast. 

The prices have come down to where they are only twice that of a decent 'point and shoot', yet are 10 times more efficient at making superb images, worthy of enlarging to 16x20"s for nice wall art even. 

The Canon XSi WAS actually newer (again, the XTi is what he now owns), but every few months a newer version come out -ie now there is a Canon Rebel T3/ aka 1100D (from DPreview.com 4/'11). Each has a few more bells and whistles and more mega pixels (kinda like a 'bigger negative', gives you more detail for enlarging so it still looks good!), but sometimes in the race to get a lower priced camera released a few options are removed.

"Tamron, which does not make cameras but does make non 'name brand' lenses for most cameras out there, is just shy of the quality of them, sometimes actually matching them, but at half the price! I use these too. I would suggest a 'one lens does all" type to make shooting fun, like a 18-270mm (wide angle to telephoto), all in one!