Big topic! I started off buying a cheapo "generic brand" which basically means a chinese knockoff of an established design.
I did loads of research, and everything I read pointed at buying a cylinder compressor with a tank, and not an "old fashioned" diaphragm compressor.
Initially i was happy with both, but after about 6-8 months of regular but light use the compressor broke, and I replaced it with this tiny little thing:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/22142057 ... 108&ff19=0It's a diaphragm type, but it was recommended me by an excellent painter and friend who said he'd had it for a few years and never had a problem. I've been using it (on and off) for a year, and have noticed none of the issues people describe with diaphragm compressors (variable pressure, moisture etc). It's actually designed for fingernail studios, and is very compact and a lot easier to store than the other gigantic and noisy thing. All in all I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.
As far as airbrushes are concerned, I would start off with a cheapo chinese knockoff from eBay. Mine still works fine, although I have upgraded. They are reasonably fiddly tools and I think it's probably best to learn how to use (and most importantly, how to clean) a cheap one first. They can be expensive.
What you (and most miniature painters) need is a dual action (you can adjust the air flow intensity and the quantity of paint by pushing down or pulling back respectively, on the trigger) and gravity feed- the cup is on top of the airbrush and the paint uses gravity to get to the needle. Other types are not suitable for miniature painting really.
So- dual action, gravity feed. Something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HS86-Gravity- ... 1c200a542cThat's from the same place I bought mine originally, and the service was good. I don't recommend the exact model because I haven't used it, but it's the type I'm suggesting, and I think at that price range they all look more or less fine.
Hope that helps!
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