> I hava a little point and shoot camera right now
> but I want to get more serious about photography.
> I want to try working with models.

Note that, for MANY purposes, your "little point and shoot" may be the ideal camera for you to work with, right now...

Ask friends to do some modelling for you. Grab some books, or online tutorials, on shooting with "natural light" and then go for outdoor venues and/or single-window illumination.

Upsides are that you already know how to work it, so you won't have that barrier.

Downside is that it may not be sufficiently adjustable for you to *learn*.


> What is a good, low-end, lightweight, camera to get for an amature?

I'd look for a decent used/discontinued camera. Canon Rebel XT (aka 350D), Nikon D50/D70, Sony a100, etc.


Steve

As a photographer, I get asked this on a daily basis.

Chances are more than likely that ANY CAMERA you already have will be fine. A pro could shoot circles around you with an iphone. Its not the camera, its the photographer.

If you want to learn photography, the ONLY thing that will help you learn is to get a camera that has fully automatic exposure control. Lighting and quality lenses are actually better bang for your buck than a fancy camera body is.

Read some reviews.

www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

I'd wait a week or two before buying any Canon SLR though. The 7d is likely to be released next week which will drive down prices of other models across the board new and used.

D90. not the cheapest, but i was in your situation..i maxed out the options of my point and shoot and really wanted to step up the game, so to speak. very happy with mine :)

The best camera is the one you have with you.

www.youtube.com/watch

Sorry, couldn't help it. I don't suggest you buy his book or use a cellphone camera... Just that you keep in mind its a true statement. Even though I have an SLR thats worth as much as my car, I still carry a $150 point and shoot on my belt AT ALL TIMES.

That said... For your learning purposes I'd suggest an older dSLR so you can fiddle with manual settings. I'd start out with a used dSLR and throw away the kit lens and get a 50mm f/1.8 lens for about $90. Boom, you're good to go for model photography.