I gor MS5/Clip studio recently! I like it a lot, but I got it with the express purpose of only using it (originally) for framing some comics and using the perspective ruler when I got stuck.
Its a bit to get used to but theres probably tons of tutorials on youtube (im not rushed and like fumbling into learning stuff myself so I haven't been too pressed to look- though I have used some tutorials on here during NPCon by Aoizulla, since they use the same program- and those tutorials are on youtube too though they are more focused on drawing than on navigating sai but you can pick up some stuff anyway)
If you aren't too too sure, wait a while on it, they have really great sales honestly. I was impatient and bought the digital version full price (~ $60 CDN with tax and all) and don't regret it at all tbh. Well worth that amount I think
But I know about a month ago now they had a 4 day sale for the digital copy for just $15 USD. smithmicro (the company that makes manga studio/clip studio) has a twitter that posts that info too, so if you can wait for a bit and follow that you can always wait for a sale?
im not super good at using computer art programs in the first place, but now that I am getting used to it, I love it honestly. I used to use PS when they had the more lenient free trial thing, and it crashed a lot, clashed with my tablet, but I havent had those issues with MS5 yet aside from one freezing incident when I had about 8 files open and was general overloading my PC- but it recovered and nothing was lost. honestly i have it up on a like 6+yr old PC while running online games and youtube and itunes all at once and havent had issues
As for tablet reccomendations: Genius tablets can be pretty cheap price wise and decent working- my first tablet was a Genius and was only about $50 for a 6x8 MousePen inch size. That was also ~7 years ago now? It lasted for a LONG TIME though, and I mistreated the crap out of it (v immature&irresponsible highschooler). So the price point might be a bit different- and if you can get it in a store thats all the better- though I dont think I've seen that brand at Best Buy ever so you might have to search around.
Now I've got a wacom INTUOS Creative Pen Tablet, the small size, which was about $112 CDN, and I bought it a few months ago as well. Its nice, I really like it. I bought it from a Best Buy, because shipping for it was too much for me
I like the Wacom a bit more for the pen- has replacement nibs, no weird plastic flap, easier button mapping, and the pen isnt reliant on its own battery- and if i feel like it they have a wireless adapter you can buy. The power cord also detaches for easier storage- which is a huge plus because thats how my Genius one died
The Genius was larger, and had a curve to the edges so it felt less awkward when nearing the edge of the side of whatever hand I was drawing with, but it had a LOT of button mapping options that I found were confusing (and heard were spotty on working correctly)
I've had some issues with preferences resetting with both tablets and their respective software, but a google search makes fixing that pretty easy- or just manually resetting them too.
Online reviews and doing what you're doing here and asking people are honestly the best thing to do, its a lot of personal preference and just being aware of the issues each one poses.
Sorry if I got a bit wordy here! I hope it helps and you find something that works for you! And if anything didnt make sense or you have a more specific question I can try my best to answer it
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