DSLR for around £1200 - kit would be nice.

Have a look at the 7D, it's arguably better for sports due to the extra reach of the crop and the AF, handling isn't that different from the 5D. If sports is not your main area, then definitely have a look at the 5DmkII. Kerso does the 5DmkII for £1500 new btw. You can even get it on the high street for just over £1600.
 
I wouldn't recommend the 5D2, it'll be massively overkill, he could get something which easily suits his needs (such as a 40, 50 or 60D) and save a massive wad of cash to spend on lovely glass :)
 
No such thing as overkill :p

Further budget for a decent lens setup is important. It's an expensive past time that's for sure. Wish I had the ability and time to try an make some money out of it for a lens fund!

I think the OP wants to buy new which limits the options? Has Nikon been ruled out completely? With the D7000 being released there are some good deals around on the D90 which is still a decent body.

Second hand could get you the following for the £1200 originally put forward:

Canon 40D\50D - £350\£450
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non VC - £200
Sigma 70-200 f2.8 - £400

Then pick from some primes?

Canon 50 mkII f1.8 - £60
Canon 85 f1.8 - £220
Sigma 50mm f1.4 - £220

17mm on the Tamron should be wide enough for most things, but if an ultra-wide is wanted:

Canon 10-22 - £420
Sigma 10-20 - £250
 
On the lens front - I would worry about them later. You can acquire over time. I personally wouldn't bother with the zooms but that's me. I prefer faster primes and moving about to get the composition right - the advantage always being better quality images and wider apertures. This suits my photography though and may not suit yours. The body's the most important thing to sort out first so that you know you like the weight, feel, layout and menu systems before worrying about the galss to stick on the front of it.
 
Nikon not ruled out. Used the S2 and S5 from fuji for weddings, nikon body and lens. But my film camera was canon and I had great times and photos from it so was looking to going back to canon again. Also means my mum, who stole my kits to do weddings can't steal it ;)

I will go back and give the cameras you people have mentioned a try. Thank you.
 
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