Feral Donkey
TPF Noob!
I was going to suggest going with Canon manual focus equipment like an AE-1 at least until you get your bearings. You should take the time to get the feel for the basics. The automatic cameras like the Rebel really don't let you learn that. The computer thinks for you. You have no control of exposure or depth of field if you just click it over to the green square and shoot.
There's some really good books you can get. There's a good general photography book that's very well written by a guy named Shaw. He's got a bunch of books out and they're all good. You'll need to understand the relationship between the film speed, the shutter speed, and the F-stop so you can get the artistic effect you want. With the rebel, you'll run around and take nice snap-shots that are pretty well exposed. Try using it manually and it'll make you frustrated. My Mom has a Rebel and it always makes me nuts when I'm trying to over-ride the computer control for occasions like shooting over snow. Someone who is into Rebels will probably disagree with me. Maybe I should take the time to learn them a little better but there's no need for me to do so.
Also take into consideration where I'm coming from. I shoot a Toyo field camera and old Manual Canon 35mm slrs so you're going to get a different point of view talking to me than you will from most people. Who's right and who's wrong? Nobody. You just have to figure out what works best for your wants and needs.
There's some really good books you can get. There's a good general photography book that's very well written by a guy named Shaw. He's got a bunch of books out and they're all good. You'll need to understand the relationship between the film speed, the shutter speed, and the F-stop so you can get the artistic effect you want. With the rebel, you'll run around and take nice snap-shots that are pretty well exposed. Try using it manually and it'll make you frustrated. My Mom has a Rebel and it always makes me nuts when I'm trying to over-ride the computer control for occasions like shooting over snow. Someone who is into Rebels will probably disagree with me. Maybe I should take the time to learn them a little better but there's no need for me to do so.
Also take into consideration where I'm coming from. I shoot a Toyo field camera and old Manual Canon 35mm slrs so you're going to get a different point of view talking to me than you will from most people. Who's right and who's wrong? Nobody. You just have to figure out what works best for your wants and needs.