Shifting gears a bit, I think I should offer the following summary of these cameras so perhaps everybody better understands
my reasoning for my
current choices.
1) If I am primarily hand-holding the camera and using zooms (even L zooms), as say one might in a travel photography situation, then I suspect I would see little to no detail differences in the 5D and 1Ds2 images.
2) I
might see some slight differences in DR or focus accuracy, and even detail in a few perfectly captured files, but even I doubt those would be significant enough to justify the cost or added weight of the 1Ds2 in that travel photography situation.
3) In fact, I'm not convinced that in hand-held, zoom-lens imaging I see a significant enough difference between the 20D (30D) and 1Ds2 in detail to justify the added weight/cost for travel. (Obviously I do see differences, though they are relatively minor.)
4) I can see color and DR advantages in the 1Ds2 over the 20D, and am still debating with myself as to whether or not these are significant enough to justify the weight/cost when traveling with zooms.
4a) Even I think a 5D and 20/30D combo with a few L zooms would be an ideal travel pair of cameras.
5) In the studio on a tripod or in the field on a tripod, I can see enough of a detail difference for me to justify the cost/weight of the 1Ds2 to use it over other DSLR options. The added benefit of slightly broader DR and better color fidelity add to this justification.
6) If money were no object, I would own a 30D, 5D, 1Ds2 and would add the 1D2 for fast-action.
7) Unfortunately money is an object for me, hence I needed to make a decision regarding which cameras I was going to keep.
If I owned a Hassy H2 and P45 or other 30-plus MP digital back, I would NOT need the 1Ds2 detail/DR/color, would sell it and get a 5D as my casual or back-up full-frame DSLR replacement.
9) Believe it or not, I have in fact considered #8 since I do own the Betterlight scanning back. It serves my studio needs superbly, but it suffers from the weaknesses in the field that only direct single-capture can overcome -- hence my reservations.
10) I suspect that #8 and #2 are precisely why Michael Reichmann has gone to the route he has with the 5D and H2...
Cheers,