My apologies. T2YUKI is of course correct. I don't know where my head was last night. I'm using Photo Stream on my remaining Lion system! Only shared photo streams require 10.8.2 or later and iPhoto 9.4 or later.
Let's start over, Hillkrew. You say you've tried "all your suggestions here," but you don't say which of the many threads about such things you have read. Have you tried everything in the FAQ for which T2YUKI supplied a link?
Let's assume you have already checked the following:
* Device(s) on iOS5.1 or later
* Mac(s) on 10.7.3 or later and iPhoto 9.2.2 or later (10.8.2 and 9.4 for Shared Photo Streams).
* All device(s) and Mac(s) are signed in to the same iCloud account.
* On the iOS device(s), Settings > iCloud > Photo Stream is "On" (and Shared Photo Streams if desired)
* On the iOS device(s), Settings > Photos & Camera > My Photo Stream is "ON" (and Shared if desired)
* On the Mac(s), System Preferences > iCloud > Photo Stream is active
* On the Mac(s), iPhoto > Preferences > Photo Stream > Enable Photo Stream is checked.
* On the Mac(s), iPhoto > Preferences > Photo Stream > Automatic Import is checked if you want photos to flow into iPhoto.
* On the Mac(s), iPhoto > Preferences > Photo Stream > Automatic Upload is checked if you want photos to flow out of iPhoto.
* You have taken new photos on your iOS device since you turned on Photo Stream and withn the last 30 days (for iOS -> Mac or iOS -> iOS flow).
* You have copied photos into Photo Stream in iPhoto on your Mac within the last 30 days (for Mac -> iOS or Mac -> Mac flow).
You mention the recent purchase of an iPhone 5. Did you have an earlier iPhone, or is this your first?
Which of the possible flows you trying to get working? (iOS/Mac -> iOS/Mac, normal/shared)?