don't bother with a bridge camera
buy a cheap DSLR and a 50mm/1.8 lens to compliment the kit lens (or get a bargain off ebay)

Oh, and choosing either Canon or Nikon will allow you to get loads of stuff second hand (the other brands [Sony/Minolta & Pentax etc. are perfectly capable, but the market for second hand bargains won't be as big)
( custard, Sat 23 May 2009, 19:48, archived)