Sometime in 2006, whilst finishing Uni I ended up in Switzerland with Mum and that's when I got my first really good Camera setup. She got me an EOS20D & 24-70 f/2.8 IS USM L lens (few others etc.)
Around 2007 as I recall, or may be later, I also picked up a 70-200 f/2.8 L IS USM.
However, with my heading back to the UK for my Master's at the time, I felt that my Cam stuff would just collect dust and actually did the best thing ever - sold em off. I didn't loose anything on the glass, and of course got a fair price on the 20D (to a fellow Hexite too!).
Fast forward to December 2014, and during my annual Singapore 'Shopping Spree' Mike-style (patent-pending), got myself an EOS70D and 24-105 F/4 IS USM L lens (which being f/4 meant it didn't rip through my wallet!)
I've enjoyed this camera for the last year and it has gone on a couple great trips around Sri Lanka.
I also spend some cash on upgrading my tripod setup with a Manfrotto. Saved some change on getting the Aluminium version rather than Carbon fibre. Tripods do need some weight after all, and I don't find this heavy at all to take with me.
With quality (heavy) glass a pet peeve of mine with tripods is that when you let go of a ball-head whatever, the camera will flop lens-forwards and if you're not too lucky bang/crack against the tripod. It hasn't happened to me and to deter against that, I also added a video Manfrotto head.
This fabulous head has a counter-weight system, so let go of the thing, and it won't flop forward. What about portrait shots? Yup, the video head can't do that, but I've got a trick up my sleeve!
Yank out the 90-degree Manfrotto extender magic, and you can mount the camera horizontally all in one smooth motion. Nice hack if you ask me.
Also picked up a really strong Gorillapod for heavy DSLRs.
Now... fast forward to early last week. It was my 2015 Singapore Shopping Spree Mike-style (patent, still pending ).