Camera Choice

Hey all i'm new here, well sort of i been lurking the forums but i decided it was time to join this amazing photographic community. Anyway enough babbling.

I am currently studying graphic design at university (first year), and have been drawn to the photographic world, however i bought a random point and shoot as a spur of the moment type thing and its just not doing the job.

I was wondering what a good starter Dslr would be for me, i don't have lots to spend because as they say us uni students are poor! However i'm worried that if i get a cheap starter camera it wont be good enough towards the latter part of my degree.

Really i was just wondering if you could help me find that camera that is just right!

Welcome.
No need to spend a fortune: a 350D/XT should do the job. Pair it with an EF-S 18-55 IS and an EF 50/1.8 and you'll be up and running. If you need something longer - consider the EF-S 55-250 IS. If you need more light, consider the 430EX flash.

If you outgrow it before the end of your degree, worry about it then. If it's a 3 year course, even if you waited to buy the next model to be released, it would be 'obsolete' by then anyway.

for general purpose photography, i don't think you'll go wrong with either a 400D/450D or 30D. unless you shoot in extreme conditions where you need low noise at very high ISOs or very fast framerate for sports, i think you should be more concerned about your lens choices instead. i would think any DSLR with full manual controls would do just fine as a starter camera.

All of the modern DSLRs are incredibly capable - there's not a bad one. Go for what you can afford. And welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the P.O.T.N Forums. This is a great place to exchange ideas and to learn. The previous posters have noted some fine equipment. Currently I have a Rebel XT (350D). It is my first DSLR camera. It is not necessary to have a top-of-the-line "pro model" to make great photos.

Welcome to the forum. As others have mentioned, the XT coupled with the kit lens will far outshine your P/S and though many refer it to a starter camera, there is nothing starter about it. It has nearly all the features of it's more expensive brothers but packaged in a smaller consumer body.

The next step up in price and features is the XTi. Basically the same camera as the XT with the addition of a few more mega-pixels and a better focus system. From there cost rises quickly and the features get added or upgraded but it seems that the cost rises much quicker than the capability of the camera.

Any of the Canon starter DSLR cameras with 10 megapixels will be Just fine.
For your course work, you are likely to need to be able to make A3 prints and they can all do that.
If you end up with a greater interest in photography, later on, you can get what ever is on the market then. The 18-55 Is, is a very capable first lens, that goes wide enough for most work. ( there is usually a good trade in cameras in student circles.)
However if you want to do available light stuff in student gigs. you will have to spend real money on at least a f2.8 lens. flash just kills that stuff stone dead.