LOL, I had a Macvica too (almost forgot) - I only used it a handful of times...
I started on film, shooting with a Canon EOS Elan (nice SLR camera at the time), and even though it was still the 90's and there was no video on the web, I was already shooting video (Sony HI-8), since I was always more interested in videomaking than photography.
I remember it was expensive as hell to shoot and process, and even after the film was developed, I had to hand scan each photo which took a few minutes per photo back then.
The most common monitor resolution was 800x600, so if I sized pictures at 300 pixels on the x or y axis, they were awesome (they look like thumbnails on today's monitors).
After buying and then quickly dumping the Macvica, I picked up the incredible Sony 505:
Since the largest memory sticks were 32mb, I could get exactly 40 photos per stick, so that is how many photos became the standard for each photo set for me. No room for error.
This limitation taught me how to pose models efficiently (I've worked with some talented photographers that do not have a clue about posing models, whom just tell the girl to pose while they snap, so there are tons of crappy shots, especially with inexperienced models).
It's funny, because nowadays it is not uncommon for photographers to shoot 300+ photos for a set (and as many as 1000 shots), even though I generally only use 50-75 pix per photo set. I guess since I am the one that has to select the photos for editing (and even that process can take 1-2 hours), I still try to keep the number of shots down when I am the principal still photographer.
For the past 6+ years, I have worked almost exclusively with Canon DSLRs myself, although I also hire photographers that expose me to the other cool stuff on the market.
For video, I buy cameras in sets of 2 or 3 at a time, for ease of video mixing. I have migrated through 4 generations of video cameras in the past 12 years. I loved the Canon GL1 and GL2 cameras, and I currently own Sony HVR-1VU cameras, although I am already planning to move to new solid state cameras in the next 6 months (I've used them a few times and love them).
For lighting, I started with good old Sears shop lights, migrated to hot fucking metal halide and tungsten lights, and I am loving life now with my new daylight balanced fluorescent system, although the new LED systems are starting to look very appealing now that prices are starting to drop.
I started out my first 3-4 years shooting a few local solo models. When I finally expanded out to shooting more models, I already was pretty well connected with the agencies and other models, plus I have always received good referrals since my niche is specialized.
I try to not get too obsessed with the equipment, since I already spend enough time constantly trying to learn new editing software, but I guess it's the nature of the beast.
As expensive as it is to shoot, the technology still never ceases to amaze me, and I am ever so grateful that such creative tools are even available for people like myself to play with.
ADG