HP Store Online - For photographer out there, which SLR digital cameras has the best image quality and a good budget price?

For photographer out there, which SLR digital cameras has the best image quality and a good budget price?

I am looking for a SLR digital camera to start my photography career. I'd like a camera that is great for close-up portrait, fashion,etc..

Public Comments

This question is asked at least once a day. If you search back one or two pages you will find some excellent recommendations. It gets tiresome when I see regulars have to repeatedly answer the same questions each day.
Photo career sounds a lot like professional to me. Budget price does not equate to the profession. Plan on spending around $25,000 for your two DSLR's (Nikon or Canon), a few lenses, a tripod and other accessories. Don't forget to include a new computer every three years (both desktop and notebook) and the necessary software (like Photo Mechanic) to edit your images and a digital darkroom (like Photoshop CS) to correct any mistakes you may had made during the shoot. One of the secondary reasons to go to a photo school is to acquire the equipment that will match the field of photography you eventually choose. You may find attending NPPA or ASMP meetings will give you some of the insight you seem to want.
Not knowing whether you are asking about starting with a digital slr [DSLR] or a standard 35mm film SLR, the following discussion provides a background on 35mm film SLRs. Would you consider starting off with used and tried-and-true older camera systems, such as Nikon FTNs, or Canon AE-1s which will save you a lot of money when it comes to purchasing accessory lenses. And the older technology is quite affordable and were designed for rugged commercial use. Perhaps a visit to your local camera shop would be in order to look at the older used camera equipment. Check out the online used 35mm camera inventory of Samy's Camera at www.samys.com. Good luck!
Orchid, First step: Wich kind of photo do you do ? All answers are very good, I would like to add a tip. Photography today is very specialized and they are many areas, like Photojournalism , Fashion , Still Life, food, events, portrait, sports...etc and each segment use a different cameras, lenses, light , softwares...etc A course is essential, because you could to spend money buying wrong equipment. Wellcome to Professionals area !!!