Okay... now I'm JEALOUS DAMNIT!

*green with envy*

Can I drool in the direction of your new camera please?

drool away. i still can't quite believe it myself.

jane generously contributed towards the cost as an early birthday present (1st August in case you were wondering)

it's too big to carry round with me 24 hours like i do with my other camera (which lives permanently attached to my belt).

i've got two assignments already for this weekend already though - kezia's preschool party and esther's birthday party. we'll have to see how i get on !

I'm currently saving (well I say saving... I had about £50 in the pot and then I remembered I had to buy school uniform for my eldest... argh) for the Canon S2 when it comes out as my "compromise" camera. Don't think I'm quite ready for a DSLR yet, but do want more functionality (and particularly macro) than the G5 can offer.

Still very impressed with your new toy though...

if you want a rule o thumb, i've taken around 35,000 photos with my compact cameras before i thought i might be ready for a grown ups camera.

there was also lots of understanding from my lovely wife jane !

Heh, I have a little way to go then.

I have taken around 2000 on the G5 and 1000 on the Ixus... about 100 on the camera phone. Tons on the old Kodak but not really counted as they were "snaps" before I really started getting interested in how to compose a picture.

S2 it is ;)

Congratulations, Dave.
Just remember: It's not the camera... ;)