but this set really need patience to appreciate. :)
seriously start learning photography, this is good. :)

I got a set of Yashica + Carl Zeiss 50/1.4...
produces better picture than Nikon + zoom.

with fix lens, really need to compose, instead of zoom. :)

black is $960 before tax.

fm3a got exposure compensation, flash compensation, aperture priority mode, access to all shutter speed even when battery is out, dx code detection....etc.

that comes with the DSLR good enough for general usage lar. :)

There's no end in pursuing the quality of pic lar.

orelse will go to medium format or 4*5 lar. :)

or at least the L USM lens of Canon, the AFSVR of Nikon. :)

http://forums.clubsnap.org/forumdisplay.php?f=20

there're ppl selling Nikon D100 Canon 10D ?
But all above ur budget.
even Fiji S1Pro or S2Pro are above ur budeget

2nd price:
Nikon D100, around $2000
Canon 10D, not sure
S1Pro, around $1300
S2Pro, around $2000

my personal advice is to wait D70, and by then all price might drop.

or get one 2nd hand G2, G3 F717 Dimage 7i,.... for around $500-$800 and play play first.

or follow blank's good advice. :)