simsurfer: so you saying i should buy just the body and use the money i save to get a nicer lens?

well i never really took pics before (never could really afford a decent camera till now, just basic disposible point n shot, lol) but was always intrested in SLRs and "artsy" photo shotting.

i have basic photoshop/illustrator knowledge, most of the time i just mess around with the program till something i like come out. so to me it sound like thats what im gonna end up doing with the camera.