(East Bay) Phil wrote:
Hi, first timer here.

I've put-off the leap to digital for financial reasons and because I wanted a SLR. It seems possible to get a d50 in my range. I'm thinking of buying the body as cheaply as possible and then finding a reasonable multipurpose lens until the 18-200 becomes financially accessible to me. I have a few questions.

1 - Is there any reason I should consider the d70 or rebel xt over this camera?

Not if you're looking for the cheapest D-SLR that is worth buying. The
Rebel XT does have several advantages over the D50, but Canon doesn't
have an 18-70 lens like the Nikon. Canon has the 17-85 IS, which is a
better lens, but much more expensive.

2 - Any recommendations for a place to buy it cheaply? I saw some places - royal camera, best price cameras, and cci camera city - that sell the body for around $300. Are these places for real? reputable? I've never dealt with 'grey-market' goods, if that's what they sell.

No.

The body only is about $550. Reputable places are Adorama, B&H, Buydig,
and Pictureline.

3 - Assuming I do get the body and then hunt for the lens, is the 18-70 a good place to start.

Yes.