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I've got both. ABout 7 years ago I bought a Canon Elan IIe w/ the same lens that Nefir has (which is a superb all around lens). A few years later I added the Canon 75-300 IS lens and a Canon flash unit. Superb camera. Probably a bit more than I need. But have been very happy with it.
Just last week I purchased the Canon Digital Rebel. I've been waiting for Canon to release an 'affordable' digital SLR. This is a great camera. However, its not inexpensive. Besides the purchase price, I have to add firewire to my PC and a card reader. I didn't have to upgrade my PC as it has a fast enough processor and enough disk to support photo processing/editing, but I can see where that may become an issue for someone starting out in digital. I picked up professional grade (40X) 512 mb compact flash. Minimal shutter lag, it can take four pictures in burst mode before I have to save or delete. With the 40X speed CF, the save takes about a second for a 6.3mp picture. That's a lot of detail to saved. Supposedly 8 mp (mega-pixels) is the equivalent of 35 mm film, however I'll never need that additional resolution. I'll be surprised if I ever blow anything up past 8 X 10. My color printer really should be upgraded to take advantage of the higher resolution, however I'm not planning on doing that at this time. I'll email the images to a photo center for print processing. Wal-Mart will print 4X6's for $.26 each. Not a bad price. Target and K-Mart also do this as well as many franchised photo stores.
Best of all, the two lenses I have for my Elan and the flash unit works with the Digital Rebel. Since the sensor chip in the Rebel is smaller than 35 mm film it effectively increases the focal length of your lenses by 60%. I was going to buy longer glass this year, probably 400mm at least and the cost of that lens would have been as much if not more than the Digital Rebel. So it became an easy decision for me to move to digital, although I am not abandoning film photography. I'll do both.
As far as what's best for you, I can't say. I've seen some really good prices on entry level film slrs. Just saw a Nikon advertised for under $400 and it included two lenses and a flash. That is a great price on a great entry level camera. On the other hand, my Rebel was over $900 alone w/o compact flash and computer upgrades. Check out the many fine camera sites on the web and research both methods. I nearly didn't purchase the Digital Rebel only because I know in two years the technology used in it will be out of date. However, its advanced enough and has enough resolution that I don't think I'll be hindered.
good luck
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