kickstand

At your price range, look for a used Canon G-series P&S or a used DLSR.

However, even used 20D's seem to be going for upwards of US$500 lately. You will have trouble finding one for less.

If you come from a medium format background, I think you will be disappointed by the cameras in the price range you mention. The 10D was a miracle in its day and is fine used choice for many shooters, but it was never MF quality. The foveon chip in the Sigma is great in theory, but Canon and Sony have put more time and money into their sensors, and currently the foveon is behind them both.

Cut to the chase: I would suggest you consider the Canon 5D, at $1800 after rebate it is very reasonably priced and much closer to the kind of quality you are used to.

I agree with Sarah that the Nikon D3 is a game-changing camera, and as that sensor technology trickles down through the Nikon lineup, you will see Nikon giving Canon a run for their money. However, of the choices available today, the 5D offers superb quality for a good price and will last you a long time. (I disagree with your assertion that DSLR's "don't seem to last".)

If you do not take the 5D, you will kick yourself all throughout your trip.

However, never put it out of your sight for a moment. Carry it on, do not check it. Keep the camera bag it on your lap on the subway. Wrap the carrying strap around your wrist/arm/leg/whatever.

New York is full of photographers, amateur and pro, and I would not hesitate to bring my gear to NYC. But you don't want to be the target because your camera was the one sitting on the table in the open.

Nikon's low end DSLR's are great values. Their lens lineup has some nice items that Canon does not offer.

Unless there's something specific in the Canon lineup that appeals to you, and you are otherwise happy with Nikon, you should stick with Nikon.

I shoot a lot of <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/file_search.php?action=file&filetypeID=0&s1=108&s2=78&s3=0&text=&username=kickstand" target="_blank">small objects and food</a> for iStockphoto. This is my setup:

I have a digital camera (Coolpix, actually) on tripod. Camera is connected to flash unit (Sunpak 120J) via PC cord. Flash is on lightstand with shoot-through umbrella. Object is placed in a home-made wooden "studio" about 30-inches square. Object sits on a roll of seamless white paper. There are white foam core reflectors on either side of the object.

The umbrella produces a pleasing, even light. But the foam core reflectors are the key; they do the work to eliminate shadows.

I'm sure you can do some kind of variation. All the materials should fold up nicely and fit into a 42" tripod bag.

Hope this helps.