What I was challenging was the original poster's mentality/approach regarding "I am buying a camera now, how soon before I trade it in for the next one with more megapixels". If he needs the largest possible quality prints from 135mm format, then the answer is the 1Ds (I or II). It's that simple. That is why I asked him in what ways would the 1D MKII limit his photographic vision, or photographic business, for that matter (if he plans to sell big prints).
Pbizzaro,
You're exactly right. I now realize that I should not have considered the 1D Mark II if I was searching for a high resolution camera that would last me a good, long amount of time.
I could easily buy a Large Format camera for under $1500, (or less if it's used) and produce amazing prints -- but that's not how I shoot. Shooting large format is slow. Even the Medium Format cameras with the 22 megapixel backs are just that - they're SLOW, and don't offer the versatility that Canon does, along with their fast autofocus, and large selection of lenses.
I think a 16megapixel 35mm DSLR is an amazingly versatile machine. One day you can shoot fast moving wildlife, or nature, the next day, you can shoot landscapes, and still retain Medium Format quality, and approach Large Format (although that's still debatable, of course). Obviously, sports shooters won't want to use the 1Ds Mark II, but 4fps is #### good, along with the autofocus.
My dream arsenal of cameras include a fast, high resolution 35mm DSLR, and then in the future, a Medium Format with a monster digital back for slow shooting, or maybe large format film for the present day.
I have a funny feeling that in the future, we'll have fast, sports shooting cameras that can produce greater than large format quality. We're lucky to be living in these photographic times, and I guess we should really take advantage of the technology.
T-1000