I highly recommend the Canon 40D if this is your first digital SLR and you don’t want to spend too much money. I usually recommend getting into the digital SLRs with the Rebel XT series of Canon cameras because a lot of people get excited and want to invest the money and time only to realize that they’re not as passionate as they thought they would be and the camera ends up sitting and collecting dust in the closet. But if you know you have a passion and will use it, then skip the XT or XTi because you will outgrow it in 6 months. I started with the Rebel and went to the 20D after about 6 months. For the ~$1000 range you will pay for the body, it is well worth the investment. In terms of lenses for weddings and portraits, these will be even more expensive. I shoot both and I would recommend getting a telephoto like the 70-200 f/4 is a great one and the one with IS (Image Stabilization) is even better but more expensive and a general purpose lens (most photographers swear by the 24-70 f/2.8). For additional lenses if you still have the budget I would recommend an ultra wide angle lens like the EF-S 10-22mm and a 50 f/1.4. With the 40D and these lenses you can’t really go wrong. Although you might break the bank. I highly recommend the following website for tips on getting started and accessories to buy:
I found it really helpful and there’s a strong community of other Canon Digital SLR folks there. Good luck!

As another person said, it’s an investment. And there’s an interesting rule I saw in another answer: the camera body is less important than the glass. In other words, you will end up spending a lot more on good lenses than you will on the body.

Nikon and Canon sort of duke it out for the best level; do some more research, look at reviews and features, maybe pick up some Digital photography books and magazines that have articles on how to shoot certain types of photos and also have product reviews. Make sure you go to a camera store too where you can handle and try the camera; sometimes how the camera feels in your hand came make a difference.

Canon recently came out with the 40D, it’s a fine prosumer level camera. Down from that is the Rebel XTi and there is some indication Canon is about to announce a new Rebel because the prices on the XT and XTi have been dropping a lot in the last couple of months.

Do some research on the types of lenses recommended for what you want to shoot, that will give you a better idea where to spend your money.

Nikon is good, also a good Canon. Whatever you do, make sure that the photo quality is sharp up to an 18×24 or so. That way, no matter the size you need, you’re sure to get good, focused, tight grained/pixeled photos. Get a good long lens for great portrait photos (180mm-220mm) and get a good wide angled for group shots (55mm), but not a fish eye, unless you want that distorted look for some reason.
You can be ready to start shooting professionally even if you don’t have lots of photog classes under your belt. You will learn as you go, and believe me, be ready for catastrophe. Always take a backup camera with you and be lousy with extra batteries!

You know, this is a loaded question. You ask for the best, IMO the nikon D3 is the best. Sorry canon, but in terms of pixel density, image processing, storage-read/write flexibility, dynamic range, and at the very least the LCD screen and live-view modes, the D3 has you beat. I wouldn’t consider canon based on the 50mm f/1.2L alone, though a good lens, I get good results with my nikkor 50mm f/1.8 to tell you the truth. Anything more is exessive, an attribute that plagues many photographers who think what you spend determines how good your work is. And I’m not the only one to have said so.

See:

That is what I think is best. What’s best for you is entirely different and depends on how much you have to spend. You mentioned that you don’t want to buy a cheaper camera only to outgrow it in 6 months, one thing that may ease your angst would be the fact that most SLR’s retain most of their value if they’re taken care of properly. In other words, you pay $1200 and in six months you’ll get most of that value back if you sell in well known photog venues like the photo/video section of your local craigslist (I recently sold my 70-300mm VR for about $75 less than what I paid new for it, from a guy who responded to my ad for sale on CL), or photo.net. I look at it as trading up. If you buy a $1200 camera, and in 6 months you want a $2500 camera, bank on only having to come up with $1600 at most to upgrade because you’ll sell that $1200 for close to what you paid with a little patience. That being said….

I recommend a nikon D200 with the 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, total investment around $1500-$1700 depending on where you get it. And don’t forget about all the accessories you’ll need like CF cards, photoshop, a computer, tripod & accessories, camera bag, etc., etc…

Then, if you can swing it, you can step up to a D300 or D3 depending on your need.

My opinion.

It will take you more than 6 months to outgrow an entry level DSLR.

What I mean by this is that taking one photography class doens’t make you a professional. There is still a lot to learn and master and it can all be done with an entry level camera.

I’m a pro and I still shoot with a Nikon D50. It has great low light performance and with the right glass and knowledge produces images the clients are happy with.

I plan on getting a Nikon D300, but it’s not because the camera will make my images any better, but it will allow me to get the images I want more easily. I still have to apply the principles of photography and continue to do what has made me successful up to this point.

To start out, I’d say a Nikon D40/D40x or a Canon 400D would be great.

Later on if you do decide to go pro and feel that there are features in a higher class body that will make your life easier, then upgrade…but really we are talking a few years befoe that happens and you should be making the kind of money that will allow for you to upgrade your equipment.

You did say,”invest” and that’s essentially what you’ll do when buying a digital SLR!Congratulations and,may I suggest a Canon Digital Rebel xti? I have one and it’s great,just the right thing for a photographer like you.It’s easy to use,gives a great pic,has al kinds of cool features including red-eye erasing,dust eliminator(great feature) shop around though,after the holidays you can expect to pay somwhat less than I did(645.00) Go to Shopzilla &Amazon to get the best deals and you cant rust either one for quality,plus,later on,especially with Amazon,you can get deals on zoom lenses,cammeras bags and straps.etc.Check them out!

Canon 5D is a nice balance of professional and value.

And Canon is the only one with a AF 50mm F/1.2 in production.