35mm camera buying help

I'm a n00b digicam user, and i guess, due to my lack of owning a 35mm camera, i'm even worse when it comes to those.

personally, i like how u can use digicam screens to help u find keys or other important items.

anyways, i need to get a camera for a beginner level photo class at the univ next semester, but... i dont know where to start. I mean, people have explained many times specs for the digicams and what's good...what's not, but I was wondering if when you're looking at 35 mm (i'm assuming that point-and-shoot is not the way to go for long-term photo needs) if there are more options or better features to look for/things to look out for.

Only managed a quick google, but i am currently looking at this:
Canon EOS Rebel GII 35mm SLR Camera Kit w/ EF 35-80mm Lens

hoping to spend less than $200.

mucho arigato

http://www.photographyreview.com/35mm/Pentax/PRD_84074_3105crx.aspx

's the one I use, except with a 50mm f/2-22 lens. Hasn't failed me yet.

I bought this one...
http://www.adorama.com/CAE7NEK.html

A little more money than what your looking to spend but I love this camera

i was actually going to suggest a pentax, its sort of the default first photo class/learner camera. the one m0ochan suggested looks nice, i'd seriously check that one out.

chris

thanks alot...
browsed through your links. moo's looks nice i guess, i wanna follow your guys' advice about going pentax but mo0, yours doesn't have a built in flash...is it hard carrying the attach? Or does the lack of a built-in flash affect you much? The other pentax model, the ZX-60 has a built-in flash and was also praised as being good for beginners but that's a lot harder to find on sale.
Is there anything against the Rebel G2? I dont know too much camera technical stuff so i'm basically just matching numbers to numbers. And im thinking auto/manual combo is best, but I dunno... I figure they all allow me to set shutter speeds, the three have self timers, and they all seem to be described as "light".

Fusiun, nice camera, ugly price.

Back to the laboratory (lah boar rah tore ree)

I never use flash. I usually carry around a tripod, which I can strap on to my bookbag, and use that when taking shots that require a longer exposure. Flash usually gives me undesirable results so I just have a natural aversion to it.

I've been using the Pentax for around three years now. The problem that I have with the newer cameras like the Rebel or Nikon's line of auto/somewhat-manual cameras is that setting shutter speed and aperture is digital -- you'd turn an unlabled knob here and there and the camera will display the setting on the LCD screen. The auto-focus is great for candid shots but nothing really beats manual focusing. Plus a lot of camera vendors like to have a zoom lens in the package, but for a beginner photography class, getting a lens with a very large range in aperture (mine goes from f/2 to f/22) will help out in the assignments you're given (ex. bracketing, equal density).

For 35mm cameras we have some old Pentax that works like a charm, then a Canon Rebel EOS X. I love the Rebel, it works like a charm. Nothing bad I can say about it, the default lens is pretty decent too.

for a beginner photo class you probably won't need a flash at all, and if you plan on taking advanced classes later, you won't need a _built-in_ flash, you'll need big chunky external flashes, strobes or studio lights, whatever comes with the camera won't be good enough. depends what you're shooting, but most photographers prefer not to use flashes at all.

second hand cameras are good too, esp. if price is an issue. people usually take care of their cameras, and you can sometimes find them at camera stores (which is more reliable, because you can ensure that it works, get them to teach you a few things, and if something goes wrong, you can bring it back to them), and you can usually find operating manuals online.

I'm going to go to some camera shops hopefully by today...

as for online retailers i clicked one of those 'ads by google' that we see up on top of the forum -- just so happened to contain 35mm SLR film sites...but anyways, I was wondering if wolfcamera.com and ritzcamera.com are actually reputable companies. I'm really sketchy about buying things online, so far I really only trust Amazon. well, Amazon and Threadless. and Wearyellow.

thx for the extra buying guides

[edit]
hmm...seems like those shops i mentioned don't even carry the zx-m, they got the zx-L (an AF camera...does this mean i would have the same manual control as w/ the zx-m? its weird b/c the zx-L isn't even on Pentax's site.)

hmm...just realized that my school's bookstore sells the Rebel G2 as a set...

But i really wanna go w/ your guys recommendation w/ the pentax, but if i can't find it, is the rebel G2 okay for beginners (Sorry, i don't quite understand what you meant about the options being digital, i saw a G2 and it looked like the dial was there...?) ? or is that really something I shouldn't think about as something to start on?

So many choices... sigh.

(^______^)