Need some help in my transition to digital

[eitanwaks]

Hi,
I guess I'll start with little background so that we'll all be on the same page.

I currently have three systems of cameras to choose from.
1.  Contax G2 - for travel, and daily use.
2.  Nikon N90s and N8008s with an assortment of lenses - mainly for use with a tripod and for subjects that require either a long lens or long exposure.
3.  Mamiya RB67 with 50, 90, 180 mm lenses - mainly for studio use as well as landscapes.

As you probably noticed none of these are digital cameras.

Two days ago I want to the lab I used to develop my slide film (medium format) and I wanted to buy some film.  The guy behind the desk told me that prices went up.  It now costs me about 50 NIS (new Israeli shekel) [$11.5] to buy and develop professional slide film (Velvia, Provia).  And this is only for 10 exposures.  This got me thinking that I need to buy a digital system quickly before I go bankrupt.
I should probably say that I don't shoot that much.  Especially now considering I'm a student finishing my degree in the university.

I would love to know what you would do if you were in my place.  I should probably say that I would rather buy a full frame digital system mainly because I don't want to buy any new lenses for my Nikon system however, I understand that such a camera does not exist (other than the Kodak which has gotten very bad reviews).  Do you think I should wait for a full frame digital camera from Nikon, Kodak, Fuji?

If I sell my medium format system I can buy a D200.  Do you think this is what I should do?

When do you think the next generation of cameras will come out?  I'm talking specifically about an upgrade for the D2x.  I would be very interested in knowing whether Nikon will go full frame in the future.

I understand that this topic has been dealt with to the point of nausea however I'm stuck in a crossroads so any inputs will be gladly accepted.

Thanks,
Eitan Waks

PS I hope I don't get on anyone's nerves too much with this  Full frame nonsense.  I don't want to turn this into a theoretical discussion rather a practical suggestion on which way I should have in the future and when

[Raw shooter]

By all means buy something - as the real issues of the digital world will show up for you in a natural "user experience" way.  Computer photography is Adobe Photoshop, histograms, printer profiles, etc.  Much less full frame sensor or not.  BTW, Nikon has publically said that a full frame sensor is not real important to them.  
I have a D200, a D2X and my lenses (must be CPU lenses to function totally with digital backs) work great on the digital cameras. A newer D2Xs is already out - a small upgrade over the D2X. I love my D200 a lot - and it is much smaller than my D2X - so I use it more now. (Still love my D2X in the studio in my office)

You will love digital.  A totally new world, but much better in my mind.  The final image, after you get great at raw capture, is amazing!  Film's dynamic range (medium format) is what you are losing at first.  The software can correct for this - but you will learn, with some experience, that there is lots to learn on the software side.  It will be among the best time you invest in yourself.
Congrats in advance!

[Jonathan Wienke]

You can also buy a Canon 1Ds and a Nikon > Canon adaptor to mount the Nikon lenses on the Canon body. You lose autofocus and all other automatic lens functions, but as long as you don't mind shooting completely manual you can make great images. But for budgetary reasons you may need to consider one of Nikon's DSLRs and readjust your perception of the relationship between focal length and field of view. Full-frame is nice to have, but it has its advantages and disadvantages. There's nothing magical about it.