Canon Photographic Gear
Canon PowerShot G9
My current point-and-shoot is 12 MP Canon PowerShot G9. I bought it in September 2007, and – as it seems to go with technology – I paid almost half what I paid for the G2 below. Cosmetically, I think it's fairly sleek. The 3" screen on the back is large, bright and very clear. The 35-210mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range is almost ridiculous for a camera of this size. And while Canon has come out with the G10, the new G-series has only a 28-140mm (again, 35mm equivalent) zoom. In all honesty, I would have liked the G9 to have a 28mm wide angle. But at the same time, having a 210mm zoom capability when my DSLR isn't with me, and without having to change a lens, is a great asset. For those who are curious: yes, I do shoot in raw format.
Canon PowerShot SD800 IS
The 7.1 MP Canon PowerShot SD800 IS was my interim point-and-shoot camera. With the "death" of my G2, and without a camera I liked well enough in Canon's G-series, I figured this little camera would fit the bill for a while. I purchased an SD550 for my mum a year or two prior, so I at least knew – to some small extent – what I was getting into in terms of a non-"prosumer" camera. It was a little small, and certainly noticably smaller than what I was accustomed to with the now-boxy G2. But at the end of the day, I really liked this camera. I only replaced it because Canon released the G9.
Canon PowerShot G2
Ah, the 4 MP G2 – my first foray into the world of digital photography. A friend of mine had its predecessor, the G1 – which was a perfectly fine camera when I first started looking at digital cameras. While I was deliberating my final purchase decision, Canon announced the G2. I ended up picking up the G2 almost as soon as it was available. After four years of excellent service, it developed sporadic focusing problems. I did the only thing I could: I replaced it (although it is still in my possession). You can find more information in Digital Photography Review's, um, review.
Canon Elan IIe 35mm SLR
Even though this isn't "where it all began", for me, the Elan IIe feels like the beginning of my photographic adventure. It was my first "real" camera, with changeable lenses, along with some serious zooming capability. My favorite lens was a Sigma 70-210mm zoom, but I did have a 28-70mm zoom as well. I had it for at least a year and half, possibly close to two years before I made the switch to the Nikon platform.