Hey Mike. I just upgraded a couple of weeks ago from the Olympus E10 to the Canon 10D, mostly because I just HAD to do it. I couldn't handle being at the 4 MP mark any more.
I have to agree with what many have said, wait. You have a Nikon now and may be feeling loyalty. If this is the case then all signs do point to Nikon releasing something new soon (they are due as it's been some time since they've had anything significant come out). I seem to recall Nikon likes to make announcements for things that are already shipping or that will be shipping "any day now" so you shouldn't have to wait long to hear reports on systems.
As for a lens, you really need to look at what you shoot. I'm personally a generalist. I will shoot anything if the interest or price is right and as such I prefer using a versatile zoom lens in the range of 28mm - 200mm. If you shoot nothing but portraits, get a nice prime 200mm or 300mm. If you shoot nothing but landscape, go with a prime 24mm or even a 16mm. The prime lenses will always deliver the sharpest, most saturated images.
As for the formats, if I'm out doing something like shooting a car show or collecting event photos from Canada Day or the 4th then I'll shoot the largest, best quality .jpeg format possible. If I'm shooting something to be printed for use in a gallery or for sale or for a client to use then I will always shoot RAW as it gives me greater flexibility in post processing of the image because I haven't let the camera make any decisions for me aside from capturing the photons.
I hope that helps answer some questions. I know you wante the simple answer but I think that when you're investing this kind of cash there are no simple answers.
Take care. Bye for now.
