At last - finally got my beloved 1D Mark II back from the Canon Repair Centre today. It looks as good as new and auto focus works perfectly, just as it did before. In fact, it almost seems to be quicker to focus and more accurate but maybe that's just me having spent more time using the 5D lately. I must say that having these two cameras works really well and that in the time I have only had one, I have learned to appreciate the role that each of them plays. The 5D is superb for image quality, colour and detail and is ideal for close-up work on flowers for example, landscapes and city views, abstract studies of trees or any other subject. It is also good for street photography as it is quite discreet and for travelling light. The 1DII however is superb for fast action and wherever quick reaction is required - perfect for sports of any kind and also birds in flight and any wildlife that moves quickly. Sometimes you know exactly which one you need and can carry just that but on other occasions you do need to carry both. It can be useful to have one with a wide-angle lens mounted and the other with a telephoto and extender, or one with a close-up filter attached and the other without. Saves all that changing lenses and the inevitable dust on the sensor but also, you just sometimes need both. At least I should be in a better position now to decide.

Canon have cleaned the sensor on this camera, reset the counter and have completely serviced the unit and cleaned it. It looks and feels brand new. Thank you Canon! And thank you, Pavillion Insurance. I am, once again, a happy bunny. ;) Now, after all this rain we've had, perhaps I can get out and take some pictures!!!