Thanks Pank I was blanking out on the autobracketing, that's what happens when you're posting while on the phone. Again, moving sky/trees/etc, autobracketing is a godsend. When I'm out with the 1DSmk3 you can get 7 shots, covering 14 stops, with one button, in just over a second. That's how some pros justify the $8k tab.
I know it sounds silly to recommend a camera other than Sony or Nikon for a beginner, but hear me out - if you want to keep your "beginner" body, Zeiss makes lenses that rival Canon's best (L-series) for similar price tags (over $1k/each).
But no experienced photographer is going to stick with the same body they started with. That's why everyone you
ever see shooting professionally has a Canon 1-series or equivalent. No one's shooting their fucking XTi with a smile on their face saying "gee I'm glad I got Canon 'cause I didn't have to switch bodies when I started doing this for a job!".
Same story with lenses - no "consumer" is going to shell out >$1k for L-series glass when they can get a ED IS lens @ the same focal length for half. You outgrow your beginner shit, and start buying big-boy stuff, that's how it goes.
Anyway, Sony's not bad. Yes I work for Sony, as a Regional Field Manager, and do trainings on this all the time. For the record, I own a 5D, but really enjoy the Alphas.
Oh, and ~10mm will not
always give you distortion.
Canon 1DSmk3 with an L-series 17-40 f4 @ 17mm.
Nice, clean edges. Of course, that setup costs more $$$ than my car's worth.