I'm a little late in repsonding, but I have to say I believe it's sad when equipment defines anyone's professional level, photographer or not. Guess I grew up believing a camera, a lens, or any of the hundreds of possible photographic accessories are simply tools that need to be replaced only when better tools become available that will help you do a better job. I've used Nikons as my 35mm format camera of choice since the 1950s when I left the Navy and became a civilian professional. (As a Navy journalist, I used a 4 5 Speed Graphic.) And,I am a member of Nikon Professional Services, but if Nikon follows Canon's lead, I may decide to become a non-professional for the first time in over half a century.