Edit: Crap, I wrote a book. Sorry. Can't tell I'm passionate about rangefinders, can you?
Disclaimer: This is a bit of opinion regarding what I think on the topic of the best starter rangefinder. Please look it over and feel free to comment, but don't hate me for what I say, mmkay? 🙂
What is your definition of good bokeh? That one is a tough one for others to decide for you. Your perception of 'very good bokeh' may be different than mine. I love the bokeh I get with my Jupiter-3.
A first rangefinder... Have you used a manual focus SLR before? Have you used a camera without a meter before? Would you be okay with a handheld meter instead of an in-camera meter? Is aperture priority really that important to you?
Before looking at the list of cameras I give, answer those questions. I think that aperture priority spoils the photographer. It can be good in a pinch and save you when you're just starting out, but as a rule it isn't something that you should get in the habit of using all the time. It doesn't teach you to read light very well and if you find yourself in a situation where it will fail you (and you will), always using AP mode will undoubtedly put you into the position of not knowing what to do and missing the shot. In other words, I do not recommend AP cameras to beginners because it is much better to learn how to read light effectively WITHOUT the help of AP early on.
Of course, this is just my opinion.
There are other factors to keep in mind as well. Invariably, aperture priority equipped cameras need batteries to provide that function. When the batteries go out, no more aperture priority. AP cameras also generally have an electronically-controlled shutter. Again, when the batteries die, cameras usually have one or two speeds that they fall back on. Those speeds are NOT convenient when shooting in a dimly lit bar. A camera with a mechanical shutter will not have these problems, but you're left with the drawback that it will not be quite as accurate as an electronically-controlled shutter, but the difference isn't enough in practice to really matter.
When speaking of lenses, it depends which way you want to go. The two easiest mounts to find lenses for would be the Leica screwmount and the Leica M-mount. Which way you go will depend on your shooting style and, regardless of what people say, how much money you have in the bank. Neither system is really cheap and both have their advantages.
Screwmount cameras and lenses tend to be cheaper and you'll get a very satisfying softness with most of the lenses. There are some cracking lenses for the screwmount cameras, but they tend to be the pricier ones. If you go with a camera such as the Bessa R you immediately have access to quite a few good lenses in the Cosina-Voigtlander library. The body goes for about $200 and the lenses I'd start out with (the 35/1.7 Ultron and the 50/1.5 Nokton) will set you back your $1000. If you don't want the speed of those lenses, the 35/2.5 and 50/2.5 Skopars are very good cheaper alternatives. You'd have plenty of money for a very nice handheld meter left over.
Going the way of the M-mount, a used M3 (if you plan to shoot longer lenses) or an M2 (if you plan to shoot a 35mm) would be a good choice for a first camera. They're incredibly durable and even though they bear the Leica name you won't be spending your entire life savings to get one. As for a lens? Summicron 50/2. Type 4 if you can find it. This will go over your thousand dollar budget, but you'll undoubtably be decently happy with your investment. Going that route, though, you'd need a handheld meter. There's also the R2A/R2M. The first has aperture priority and an electronic shutter and the second has a mechanical shutter and no aperture priority. Both, however, have an electronically-controlled battery-powered meter. In my opinion, the R2M is a better buy because when the batteries go you only lose the meter, but if you're set on aperture priority the R2A would be the way to go. Pair it with the same 50/2.5 and 35/2.5 as the R with some adapters and you'll be slightly over your budget and have all the kit you'll need for quite some time.
And now for my own shooting set: A Canon P with 35/50/85 Russian lenses, a Sekonic meter, a hood for the 35/50 that doubles as a series 6 filter adapter, and various series 6 black and white filters. That setup would run you about $500 if you look hard enough.
Anyway, this has gone on long enough. Just remember: this is all my own opinion and nothing in it accounts for anyone else's preferences.
