Equipment for a newbie

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[mblomq]

I found out about HDR photos recently and I'm now planning to buy my first DSLR.
How do I choose the right camera? Is Canons cheapest model, EOS 1000D (Rebel XS), "good enough" for great HDR photos, or should I double my spending and go for the EOS 550D (Rebel T2i)?
What else should I have in mind, when considering a DSLR?

[DAVE RHUBERG]

The biggest difference, if you don't know already, that you will probably see is the image quality, noise and tone rendering.
Noise will be a problem with HDR.  Any camera will work.
I moved from a Nikon D70s to a D90 last summer, and noise with the associated artifacts was the biggest change I saw, relating to HDR.
Megapixels are not a concern, with a good exposure you can print 20x30 with a 6 mp camera.
Lens choice is important, more important than camera, in your investment.  Good lenses and a mediocre camera will be better than a great camera with bad lenses.
The T2i reviews very well.  The XS, XSi, and XT are a bit subpar to me.  They are fine, but lack compared to the most modern cameras.
Look well at the XTi, T1i and T2i.  But make sure you can afford lenses, and just as importantly a quality tripod and head.
I also have become dependent on L-brackets, so I can quick release and flip my cameras.
You also should have a cable or IR release button, which can be inexpensive.

[mblomq]

Thank you for your answer.

Today I ordered my first DSLR. In a few days I will be the proud owner of a Canon EOS 450d (Rebel XSi). My favourite electronics store had a sale, so the I could buy the 450d for the price of a 1000d.

What tripod do you guys recommend? It should be stable and pretty cheap...

[DAVE RHUBERG]

Have you looked at used equipment?   Adorama, KEH and B&H are all reputable, with a return policy on used equipment.  I find Adorama to be the biggest, with slightly overrated stuff, KEH is best in choice and accuracy, B&H is accurate but least choice.
For cheap, maybe a Manfrotto 055, or an Induro.
A used Gitzo 220 or 320 would be better than almost anything else in its price range.
Avoid tripods with braces and posts, heavy centrally mounted legs and a head right at the hub is most stable.
Buy a good ball head, with much more weight capacity than you actually have to support.
Look at legs and heads, a complete tripod might work, but you likely get a light duty head.
I use a Gitzo 320, a 2 1/2" Cullman ball head, Really Right Stuff quick release and Kirk L-brackets.
With no extensions I can set the tripod up above my eye level, and it is rock solid.
If you buy a cheap tripod, no worries, just get one that its OK to be "disposable", you'll be wanting a good one soon.
If you've never had a cheap tripod tip over, with your $1000 camera on it, you probably haven't used a cheap tripod much.
Good luck, have fun
Dave