Quote Originally Posted by redonnemoi
can do the following things:

use color filters, including UV filter
use sunshield
can affix a standard "multipurpose lens" (I don't know what this means :S), that can do a moderate amount of zoom
can affix a lens that can do very very long zoom and not just no zoom or "all the way", i want in between settings as well(macro lens? :S I don't know either )
can affix a lens that can do extremely wide angle photography, but not horribly fisheye distorted (preferable as wide angle as human vision, or close)
and of course, a camera able to manually adjust everything (exposure, fstop, flash type, zoom speed, etc)
of a high resolution (9MP or more)
can affix an external flash
can use a double tripod (is this necessary for long lens tubes? if not sorry cross it off )

thanks very much
1: Not really needed in digital photography (color filters that is). In fact the 1D series has built in prcessing that can do much of this in camera or via software A Hoya UV(0) should be on ALL lenses to protect the front element (glass) from scratches as this filter will not affect color.
2: All Canon EOS Lenses come with lens hood, most can be removed, although a couple of the real large lenses they can't.
3:4: etc.... Lens choice depends on use, the EOS series has a lens for any type of shooting you want from 10mm up to 1200mm, of course the 1200mm lens is around $13,000.

5: camera body, sounds like your wanting a high end pro body, better be ready to shell out $3,000 to $7,000 dollars. A used Canon 1D MKII N is 8MP and used plan on $2500 and up. The 1DS is $6500+

Double tripod?Even with the 1200mm you don't need that, but you do need a very sturdy tripod as that lens weighs 36 pounds, then add a 3 pound lens. But for all other large EOS lenses you can use a monopod, even with the 600mm.
All EOS bodies accept external flash.

JS