Ok, you haven't mentioned anything about budget, or how 'professional' you want the camera to be...i'll just assume that you're planning to get a film/digital SLR.. so i listed out some (both canon and nikon) that might be of interest for you...
(if any of the model names are wrong, pls do correct me..i'm just typing from the top of my head..heh)
Film Bodies:
Canon
EOS 30/33 (son of the EOS 50, pretty compact..used to own one..good piece of equipment)
EOS 50/55 (father of the EOS 30, bodies can have the Eye-Controlled Focus (ECF), not really useful for me though)
EOS 5 (older semi-pro model, can get one of these for cheap now, I own one too, pretty nice)
Nikon
F80 (the older Nikon equivalent of the EOS 30, but has spot metering..which is really excellent for such a mid-range model)
F100 (okay, this one is pretty expensive, but really good. The equivalent of the EOS 3, but i feel that this babeh is better...)
Digital Bodies:
Canon (all with the prefix 'EOS')
300D (okay, this one started all the hype for lower-end DSLRs, can get one for less than a thousand around here, nvr used it, but i think it's pretty good)
D60 (an older generation model, before 300D came out, D60 is pretty good still with a 6mp sensor, with a professional looking body. I own one of this, and it's pretty good outdoors, can't say the same for indoor stuff, really need a flash to assist in focussing. Can find a 2nd hand one in the $700-900 range.)
10D (the model right after the D60, and i feel that this is really a gem of a camera... the AF is pretty fast, even in low-light, and has pretty advanced functions for an older model. Priced at about $1000+ for a second hand model. Body looks and feels pro, especially with the battery packed attached.. try to get this if you don't want to spend too much on a DSLR body.)
350D (okay, can't say much about this one coz i'm totally out of touch with the more recent models. Should be quite affodably priced 2nd hand, try to search around for prices. The interface is slightly different from the mid-range models, and therefore makes me kinda dun like it that much..just try it out for yourself and make the call..)
Nikon
D70 (in my opinion, the D70 is so much better than its Canon equivalent, 300D. This is in terms of it's functionality as a camera..gotta try both to see the difference.. Not sure about the prices for a 2nd hand one, try checking around the forum)
D50 (okay, not sure about this one, haven't even read about it...should be pretty good considering the success of the D70..)