What camera?

[xtoferx]

I'm trying to get into photography as a hobby. I was in a photography class in high school and it was my favorite class hands down. I've been looking for something to do with my time now, as I've joined the army over a year and a half ago, and I just did my taxes, and have a grand coming my way, so I've decided I want to buy a camera with it. I want to use the camera at concerts, on road trips, and possibly modeling. Eventually I want to get to this level:
http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3305374103_97ecb02c0a.jpg

Naturally, I have no idea what I'm doing at all when it comes to DSLR cameras, we used regular old film SLR's in class, and I'm not sure I even know how to handle one of those anymore.

Additionally, a good friend of mine recommended I buy a Canon EOS Digital Rebel, and I've been looking through these and I'm stumped.
I'm also trying to save up for a trip to NYC for block leave, so I don't want to necessarily spend a bunch of money if I don't NEED to, but I really want to make photography into something serious.

Any advice is much appreciated, thanks for your time.

 

[Diana G]

I agree with your friend about the Canon EOS Rebel. That is the type of D-SLR I use and it works wonderfully. I wear it around my neck a lot, so the weight of it is nice. The use of it is very user friendly, in my opinion. The biggest war of opinions you are going to get though are Canon vs Nikon. GO CANON! haha

 

[xtoferx]

Thank you Diana :]