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