[samdragon]

I'm happy with my canon EOS. Most slr cameras come with a small lens, but for larger zoom, or special lenses you'll have to buy them seperatly. I strongly recommend you invest in a cable release whith whatever camera you get.
have fun,

[Ragnarok]

I also have a Canon EOS and I love it. It's not very expensive, gives good definition and you can control everything. Usually the cameras of higher price only have more little-only-pro thingies that you would probably never use.

[Delucubus]

I got a cannon Rebel G for about $550 2 years ago. I still use it and love it. Great versatility and all that good stuff. You can buy multiple lenses, filters, etc.

With any 35mm camera I would suggest learning what everything is and how it effects your picture like aperture and exposure time, etc. But if you already know this stuff then you can get the full use out of that camera or any other semi "proffesional" camera.

[egerie]

I've got a Nikormat (previous name of the Nikon company) that's a few years older than I am ! (and I'm one of the resident old hags 'round here)
But it's still fully functional, fully manual and great to learn basics about photography.
So try to get a camera that does automatic ajustments but that you can also unlock modes and go fully manual.

I remember my photo teacher being in awe and asking "can I check it out ?" -"sure!" -"wow.. *fiddles with it* it's like driving an old Berline.....sigh" lol
-ege

[SporQ]

Nikon N60 w/ 35-80mm zoom $350

i like nikon's better than any canon i've tried, but thats just personal prefernce.

egerie's right. make sure you get a camera that lets you go fully manual. nothing like learning to read light yourself

SporQ

[Visigoth]

This probably doesn't fit, but it's interesting nonetheless...

I have a Nikon CoolPix 800 (digital) -- It is absolutely fabulous; The picture quality is unmatched, and the features are great too. It takes pictures @ 1600x1200 at 32 bit color...Kickass stuff.

~{V}~

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Your car is a fiberglass penis extension.

[FireWalker]

visigoth, how much does a camera like that run?

trying to find myself a good digital camera for getting textures...

my dad's 30 year old minolta is great.. but a little inconvenient

[Visigoth]

This one runs around $399 from what I know of now, but if you want something even better, spooge for a $949 CoolPix 990 -- it's like, 4.4 megapixel (2048x1960? or something of that order)

~{V}~

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Your car is a fiberglass penis extension.

[Tweeder]

Can anybody reccomend a really good 35mm camera? I want a professional one, zoom lens and lots of features and things to play with, but since I obviously don't know what I'm talking about, I don't know what to look for. I'm looking in the $500-$700 range.

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.tB.

[Slicer]

I recommend you head to this site: http://www.photographyreview.com/

It should have enough with cameras and a forum there for your satisfaction.