Canon 350D is one of the best entry-level digital cameras to buy. However, I've always had to use traditional film cameras for photography classes. Here are several things to take into consideration. I use a Nikon myself, and I prefer the feel of the D70s because you can do all your setting without messing with the LCD screen, but you'd have to go to a camera store to compare if you want to. I highly suggest purchasing from cametacamera (they're on eBay). they give a good deal, have good customer service, and it's tax-free if you don't live in NY.
If you're planning to use the camera to just casually shoot pictures, maybe with a little manipulation with shutter speed and aperture, and if you aren't doing serious sports photography or anything that requires a special lens, you might be better off with a compact camera with a few manual features. It'll be cheaper, easy to carry around - meaning that you'll have it with you during the moments that count (since you can't lug a DSLR everywhere), and you won't have to worry about upkeep such as dust on the sensors.
You can not see what you're shooting on the LCD. Take out your SLR camera sometime, and put it on bulb. Remove the lens and look inside when there's no film in it. Then, hold down your shutter release. You'll understand how the mirror flips and the curtain opens and such to expose the film. DSLR is the same, except that you don't have the film. On a DSLR, you will have to look through the viewfinder for every shot.
DSLR response time is instant. There's technically a small lag, but it's in fractions of tenths of a second. If you've ever taken a picture with a cellphone camera, you'd notice a huge lag. DSLRs dont' have that. It's virtually instant.
DSLR cameras have the huge advantage of being able to switch lenses. Fisheye, wide-angle, telephoto, macro, etc... all of those can come in handy in certain situations. Again, if you don't have use for those lenses, I would reconsider, because the lenses also cost quite a bit of money. (Never buy generic name lenses.)
I would consider the Olympus DSLRs, but they don't have enough lenses for my liking. I'd stick with a Nikon or Canon, from cametacamera.
Here's a short list of cameras to keep an eye on.
Canon 300D
Canon 350D
-the canons have a cheaper feel, and the controls are not as good, but the image quality is still superb. canon has some great lenses. however, you might want to buy a new lens if you get the kit, because the included lens is not good. (that's why i went with nikon. i could get the nikon d70s + good lens for a comparable price to canon 350D + good lens + bad kit lens.)
Nikon D50
-definately take a good look at this one. it's like a "baby nikon d70" almost. and from what i've heard, the pics look better than the d70/d70s right out-of-camera.
Nikon D70
Nikon D70s
-nikon d70 is a better deal than the d70s, because the d70 can have firmware updated to close the gap with the d70s. i got the d70s for the nicer lcd though. i don't know about the d70, but the d70s came with a great lens.
Nikon D100
-nikon d100 is an older, larger camera, but still good. i've seen it for cheaper than the d70s at cameta camera, but i'd still rather have the d70s. no experience with the lens.
Considering the size of the investment - you might want to wait a bit and make sure that photography's really your thing. Here are a few costs to think about...
1) Camera - you can get this for a little under $1000, pending on model.
2) Memory - need to buy compactflash cards, mine ran me total about $200
3) Tripod - expensive, also need a head for it. several hundred dollars.
4) Lenses - huge cost. several thousand dollars if you build up a descent collection of actually useful lenses.
5) Insurance
6) Filters - you may or may not want these, but i'd at least suggest a polarizing filter and a UV filter. assuming you're getting good filters, that'll run you about $200. then you'll probably want some neutral-density filters, and that'll be money too. don't need anything else for the most part, because you can toy with white balance.
whoa, i have class to run to.
adios