Best place to buy a used DLSR camera ?

[PurpleMonkey]

I would only consider used if you know the previous owner.

The first thing would be to decide what lens system you want to get into. Lots of choices out there, but the big ones are Nikon or Canon.
-- what do people you know shoot with? would they lend you gear? something to consider

Go out and try holding some of the bodies you are interested in. I found that I didn't like the way Canons fit in my hand, and the menu system wasn't to my liking.