All last night since I had discovered the cabin had DSL-high speed internet (DUH -- that's another dumb assed story) I was researching and thinking about what camera I needed to continue shooting with while my 30D works up the queue to the Canon repair tech's workbench. I've heard it might take up to six weeks. When my first DSLR -- the 10D -- needed to be serviced for its on-off button it took at least a month and a half. Too long to not be shooting. So I definitely need a replacement camera, if only for that period of time.

My requirements
-- Must have a flash hot-shoe or P/C port in order to communicate with my Pocket Wizard triggers
-- 35mm / 1*6 sensor size or higher
-- less than $500 / keeping in mind that I must pay a repair cost for the shutter of my 30D
-- 35mm film or greater -or- RAW-writing ability if digital

That really is it. I can do without being able to access my EOS lens armament. I can do without the frame rate and buffer size of my 30D. I can do without an event camera (if any jobs come up I can always rent). But for my personal shooting, for portraits, I really need a camera that can work with my lighting setup.

Some early alternatives:

Canon Powershot G9
This is a robust compact camera that writes RAW. You can get one for about $500 from Adorama. Strangely, someone on the Strobist group found that B&H has the G9 as 'discontinued'. The G9 has received some very good reviews as really the best compact without peers. Really, this is the backup camera anyone should have on a trip since it would be compact and still be able to take decent landscapes and portraits. However, it still is a compact and wouldn't be able to use my EOS lenses.

XTi / 20D / older EOS digital cameras
A very good suggestion is to have just a step below the 30D. One can get a used 20D for around $400 and the prices keep on dropping for older DSLRs.

The 20D is nearly the same capability as the 30D. The reason why I am not mentioning the 40D is that I have no real use for the 40D's extra features -- the Live View LCD -- or sensor cleaning facility. Nor is it a significantly better image taker than the 30D .. or the 20D, for that matter. Plus it will be at new product prices.

As for getting even older EOS DSLRs there is merit in that they are extremely cheap -- I've seen some Digital Rebels going for less than $200 -- and I wouldn't have to care much about how I treated them. Their older sensors and lower resolution is not a big problem for me since I rarely print larger than 8x10.

Why not film?
Some very good film 35mm bodies are available for dirt cheap prices. Canon even still makes a top shelf 35mm body which retails for more than a $1000. I'm not going in that direction given my commitment to digital, however, any number of older SLRs, even all-manual SLRs, especially if they are EOS bodies that can mount my lenses would work.

As for medium format, as you may have noticed I haven't yet taken the plunge. I can outfit myself with a medium format kit -- example Mamiya 645 of RB67 within my budget range. This might be the impetus needed to get into that. I've even looked into wackier medium format solutions like the Seagulls, Dianas and Holgas. (I did own a Holga for a short time previously and never got the hang of it).

Suggest away
I asked this same question to the Strobist folks in discussion thread. Feel free to add your own suggestions.