Loyal Canon Buyer - Can't wait any longer, going with D800 Locked

Garland (I hope you don't mind me addressing you so casually),

I appreciate this post and it has pushed me to say something I probably should have said before:

We've never spoken directly but I've seen you around here for years now. I don't write much very often, but I'm on almost daily.

I just want to say that I have always appreciated your very level-headed and unbiased opinions on the two systems. I feel like your posts are always very insightful, and often are a ray of light on an often stormy collection of brand bickering we sometimes find here on DPR forums.

I also completely agree with your takes on the cameras on hand (D800 is gorgeous, but I chose 5d3 because it feels like a 'whole' camera, very well-rounded and intuitive, and I love my lenses). I'm currently teaching some college photography courses (helping start a photography department at a Film/Video-focused school), as well as shooting professionally on my own. My students, naturally, have many questions about equipment and are constantly asking which is the best. Posts like yours are always helpful for me personally, as well as in class, to clearly define some of the mutual and unique strengths and weaknesses of each brand (it helps that my shooting partner also has Nikon and Canon equipment).

Just want to let you know there are silent voices out there who appreciate your posts, or at least 1 voice, I can't really speak for others.

Take care,
marcus