DO you have your heart set on a Canon Xti? I know several people who have the cannon and either don't know how to work it and find it confusing, or say that they paid way too much for what it will do.
Personally I shoot with a Nikon D40. I prefer Nikon for several reasons. First, Nikon holds over 200 individual patents on their
glass alone. Think about that. JUST THE GLASS. I have compared images of the same resolution, and comparable lenses, and same subject and settings, but one was shot with a canon and the other with a Nikon. The nikon's focus was crisper and the color was brighter.
Another argument for Nikon, and no I don't work for them. It is generally recognized that National Geographic has some of the best photographers in the biz, right? Those guys have free reign. They can shoot whatever equipment the darn well please, and the shoot
NIKON. Go out, make some calls, pull some strings and see if you can find me 1 - just 1- NatGeo Photographer who shoots with a Canon.
My suggestion is that you would at least look into the D40x. It is small, and light much like the Xti, but is cheaper and more durable than the canon. I personally know a guy who dropped a D40x with the kit lens from a 3rd floor balcony onto pavement and he only cracked his UV Filter. That's one tough little camera.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...al+Cameras-_-Nikon+Inc-_-30113086]New Egg.com That comes with an 18-55mm nikon lens.
You can also get a 55-200 nikon lens for about $200 .
As for a tripod I reccomend that you get the Tiltall Classic. They run around $100 and are great for everything.
That kit should put you right around $1k. Check it out, you may be a nikon fan yet.