If starting fresh, Canon or Nikon? Which has the best lineup in lenses, bodies and lighting?

Ironically, due to metering, Canon bodies are more functional with early Nikon lenses than Most of Nikon's digital bodies (anything below the D300 line except the D7000).  So if ones goal is to use pre AF nikon lenses a Canon body is the better budget choice (also the 5D is still much less expensive than a D700, and if one is planning to use manual focus lenses budget is typically a primary concern).