I agree, the 5D is super. Full frame and high ISO performance that’s even better than the 1dsMKII, in a 20d/10d form factor. It’s just what I’ve been waiting for for years.

I’d like a Brazillian Au Pair but I don’t have kids…

The 5D is a great camera, very responsive and lightweight. If you’ve used any other Canon digicam, you can use this one without reading the manual. My only gripe is that it is not a 100 percent viewfinder. The viewfinder coverage seems more accurate in the small sensor Canon digital SLRs, which is important because, of course, there are no slide mounts or minilab cropping issues with digital. What you photograph is what you display.

Phil: how do you like the Canon 5D?

Much to my surprise, after a few months of using the Digital Rebel XT, I am so fond of photography that I am thinking of getting a 5D myself… this is great fun, and I can see now why someone might want to favor getting a cheap Windows laptop over a Powerbook, if the cost savings meant getting to spend more on cameras and lenses. That’s not to say that _I_ would necessarily do that (I love my Powerbook), but I can understand better why someone would.

My girlfriend spent the previous year doing field research for UC Berkeley. She spent one hot, dry day in the Central Valley with two other researchers, one a Berkeley senior, female, the other a French student spending time studying at Berkeley for a year or two, male.

It turns out the French guy had the same habit as the au pair. Near the end of the hot day, he says, “I really need a cok.” Titters from the female researchers. “What did you say?” one asks. “I need a cok! It’s so hot out here!” the French researcher replies. Laughter from the female researchers. “What?” “You need a what??!” “A cok! A cok! A cok!” Hysterical laughter. “Ohh, Remy, I do you mean a Coke?”