albert_truong

I think the answer depends on what you plan to do? If you're in school and the camera greatly helps you in some way, fork out the extra money so that you can make use of it NOW so that you can get all the great benefits immediately.

I currently goto an art school and am constantly shooting references for illustrations. Fed up with my POS P&S digicam (and envious of my buddy's d30), i finally sought for a loan to get me the 10D. I am using it everyday and making good use of it right now. I consider the camera a piece of School equipment to help me learn (well, it's partially true :) )

if you want sub 1000 dslrs, look for used d30's. My friend has his, and is still using it since its birth.

just a word of advice: purchase the lens in a store, where you GET to test them out.

The camera will definitely last you. My friend is still lugging his d30 around and the image quality is fabulous in comparison to other p&s digicams. I was so fed up with my p&s that i eventually invested in a 10D. It's a perfect tool for illustrators to grab immediate reference materials, especially when deadlines are tight.

a 512mb card is good - will give you bout 180 shots on highest setting. a good starter lens is a 28-105 f3.5-4.5 zoom. the 1.6 multiplier is good and bad. i havea 50 mm prime, its difficult for me to shoot models (sigh, have to move back :( ) - but hey, it's cheap and clear!

For 2000, you can get the 10d, the 28-105, the 50, and a lens hood for the 105, along with the 512mb card - that pretty much fills up anyone's average needs.