Cameras - Canon's Advanced Amateur Kit

Camera kit selection is a major decision facing photographers, starters, as well as experienced who want to upgrade their kit. In this series of recommended camera and lenses kit, I will dedicate separate sections for advanced amateurs and amateurs with pro attitude (explaining later the difference). My recommendation will be based on a single manufacturer's kit - The camera body and the lenses will be of the same manufacture. Started with Canon, I will continue with Nikon and Sony.

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Advanced amateur photographers are defined by me as photographers who simply enjoy photographic challenges. They are one level above photographers who use their kit just for documentation (Family, vacations...). The difference is translated into equipment needed and money, willing to put. In this respect, amateurs with pro attitude, will probably put the extra money to get extra something. This scale of 4 levels (top are the pro photographers, making their living using their kit), is well known to the manufactures, who try to provide equipment categorized in accordance.
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The kit will be the basic, essential, based on 4 items: Camera body, standard zoom lens, telephoto zoom lens and a flashgun. Other lenses can be added to enable handling of more photographic challenges (Or handling some items better). Only zoom lenses are suggested here due to their convenience.
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Starting with the body, Canon 7D is the body of choice for the advanced amature. Note: There is nothing wrong with the lower level Rebel camera (T1i or 500D). It will do most of what the 7D is doing and the differences for the advanced amature will be minor. The biggest operational difference is the continues frame rate (8 fps vs 3 fps). The resolution difference is minor (18 Mp vs 15 Mp). There are differences are in other territories: The user experience and the public relations. The 7D, I have to admit, feels better in the hand then the Rebel. It is more solid, better build (less plastic feeling) and makes you love holding it. The other item will be important to some of us: going public, meeting other photographers, you would not like anybody to think you are not serious about your hobby. You probably would not want to be caught with "entry level" DSLR. So, you get the higher level, the 7D...
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Before going to lenses, the camera operation options should be double check. Setting a single digit model name (7D) rather two digits name (Like 50D) meaning it is more of 5D, rather then 50D. This similarity is carried to the modes wheel. Shooting modes as Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports and Night portrait are missing here. It is up to the user to decide how advanced he/she is. If required, the 50D is still available.

Two choices suggested for the standard zoom. They are based on quality versus one lens doing all. The best choice, for advanced amateur is the new Canon 15-85mm zoom lens. It provides a range from wide (24mm) to moderate tele (130mm). It is suitable for any standard shooting situation and minimizing the need to switch lenses. No need to mention that it is image stabilized which is mandatory for any lens today. Note that higher grade lenses, as "L" series lenses or lenses with larger aperture (F2.8) will be suggested to the higher level photographer, the amateur with pro attitude (Due mostly to higher prices).

The Canon 18-200mm zoom lens is a choice for photographers who like to travel light and do not want to switch lenses at all. The lens provides a range of 28-300mm, so, you can live well with it. The price - lower quality. The pictures will be of lower sharpness, especially at the image edges.

The telephoto zoom lens will be the Canon image stabilized 70-300mm, getting effective range of 105-450mm. The lens is located in the optimal place of price performance in Canon's telephoto zoom lens line.

The speedlight 430EX-II is second from the top and providing enough power for advanced amateur needs. It is fully compatible with Canon's latest E-TTL II technology.