Re:Nikon N65 (Score 1)

Amen to this. The main reason why I recommend Nikon over Canon to new photographers is that they can get an old used body for cheap, and when they are ready to step up to F100 or F80 territory they don't have to worry about lens compatibility. For the most part. There are a few things to consider. If you do have an eye on the future, only get modern glass, as then you can step up to digital SLR or any film body in the Nikon line without problems. Some of the higher end camers, digital ones in particular, are a bit crippled with non-metering lenses.

The next thing I would do is get a Nikkor 50mm 1.8 lens. Do not cheap out on the lens! These will last you a lifetime, and the lens is the most important part of the process. A cheap third-party lens on a $2,000 camera makes that camera look like a cheap starter. A sharp Nikkor on an old body like the N65/55 will put out amazingly good quality pictures.

I recommend the 50mm for three reasons. One it is one of the sharpest lenses on the planet; two, it is light and relatively cheap; and three, it is good for learning on.

For around $200 you can have a complete starter system (with no flash) that will last you years. Good photographers know the fancy cameras are for the fancy shots. They don't take better pictures, they just take better pictures of the way drops of water fall off of a duck rising out of a pond. You'd have to be an awfully fast gun to get that shot on manual, but with the F5 you can get it and then the duck's friend, too.

In my opinion, by the time you are ready for an upgrade, you'll want to go digital SLR. In the meantime get the above system, and expand your arsenal of glass before worrying about fancier bodies.

And have fun!