one thing i thought about that most of us, including me over looked.
you do have the option of buying a USED SLR camera. they are MUCH more reasonable. i got my EOS 300D for 200 bucks used. then i just picked up a couple of lenses and we're good to go. i had seen a D70 last week with lenses for 270 bucks, which is damn cheap. almost makes me wish i would have waited alittle while longer, but not really.
Lets see....300D- $200, EF28-90mm lense - $90 (new ), EF75-300mm lense $175 ( new ), and a EF50mm compact marco - $200 ( used ). i am very pleased with my combo of things, and all that is still around 500 bucks.