If you feel better by taking a course.
Try courses offered by PSS (Photographic Society of singapore) located in Selegie Rd, opposite the Paradise Center.
If you have a UOB credit/debit card, you can take the courses at Member prices w/o signing up to be a Member.
just Open a Savings a/c at any UOB (free), and apply for a UOB debit Mini (also free lifetime membership) then apply for the courses at member prices w/o paying the Orindary membership fees of S$40.
http://www.pss1950.org/programs.php
While a DSLR is good, cos u can take and take shots w/o ever needing to go develop, and as a begineer, "bad shots" are common, so u can delete....
It is certainly not a "Everyone can afford" price
for a low start up cost a 2nd hand camera shld be a nice starter.
you can either choose a manual Film one like FM2..etc or a simpler low end auto film like F55 or so, just to understand the basics and move on from there.
a F55 w/ kit lens, shld be dirt cheap 2nd hand I believe.
Just dont get dis-heartened if u dont get a lot of good shots at the start.
Neither did i...then again, I still dont get good shots now..lol
A manual Film camera is supposed to be a good beginning camera as it doesnt have automated modes and everything from the Focus, to film advance and metering ..etc is done by the photographer.
Then again, turning an auto film camera to "M-mode" and setting it to manual focus, shld achieve the similar effect, except the Film advance is automated and so is the Film Rewind.
Regarding your question...
"Do I need to own a camera before I join the Society?
This is based on personal preference. The Society, besides organizing photographic outing trips, it also organizes courses, talks, workshops and exhibition to enable the members to widen their knowledge and scope. Cameras are not needed at these activities.
However, it is advisable that members own their personal camera so that they can practice what they have learnt. At the end of the day, it is all about practice to perfection."
I will suggest a F75 or so camera, as it CAN BE set to manual if u wish to learn things manually or set to PRogram mode, when you dont want to bother with focusing while shooting something.