Regarding the 5D however...as much as I have looked into it, I have not seen where there is that much improvement over the 30D/40D.

Mark,

Seriously? 

Camera       Pixels        Sensor
30D          8.2  m  1.6   22.5 x 15.0 mm?   $1,099
40D         10.1 m          22.2 x 14.8 mm     $1299
5D            12.7 m full   36 x 24 mm            $2,179

I can see where $1000 would make a difference to many people.

By the way, 30/40D sensor size is exactly .625 (1.6 crop) of the 5D, but the pixels are 80% smaller to get that resolution.

In effect the 5D should be 20% sharper than a 40D, but relative to the 30D they are almost identical. Of course you are only getting 62% of the same image, so when you make it larger...

40D is Type III processor, others are Type II.

35 area meter, 9 focus points on all. I use spot metering, no points either way on this.

Same batteries, same memory, same flash, pretty much.

The two things that seem to matter to me personally 50 ISO on 5D and I don't know if that's real or software. If software, it's nothing. But the full size sensor with 4368 x 2912 vs 3888 x 2592 is the major factor for me.

Rumors of the 5D Mark II might make some wait, but you know the new one is going to sell for list for months, may be hard to get and if it's like the new 1DM III it could have the same image shadow bugs.

In the end I couldn't decide, so 5D now and a 40D in April or May. One for stock/studio/fine images, the other for sports, travel and  general purpose.

BTW Canon G9 = 12.1 on a 1/1.7" sensor, $449, 4000 x 3000, 4:3 ratio, does RAW, IS and Movie clips.  Can shoot 3:2.

For the limited budget stock shooter, it's impressive!

My limited budget choice was a $650 10D for pro work, $100 A400 for my pocket, that was two years ago. Times sure have changed for the better.