Make frens with the ppl in Clubsnap..join outings, ask for opinions and if possible ask them to let u try out their DSLR/SLR..read up reviews on the internet..u dun need to go through a course to find out right..in the end, u r the one paying for the camera equipments..
Yeah..u can definitely try out stuffs like aperture, shutter speds, ISO, WB, metering modes using a prosumer..but then the results may not be significant..Borrow a book from the library to understand the fundamentals of operation for a camera..or u can even google for some articles over the internet..they are free..once u have doubts/queries, post ur questions in Clubsnap..
:think: increase the price gap? I think u mean narrow the price gap..yeah, D200 price will likely drop next year..heard that a new model is coming out next year..D80 is a good camera as an entry-level DSLR for anyone into photography..
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Note: These are only my personal views, if u think u prefer going through the course first, u can always go ahead with it..
as wat's most important is how u feel..
Welcome to photography!