Entry level question - Upgrade Nikon D40 to what?

[Ray Singh]

I have had my Nikon D40 for a few years now and am still very pleased with the shots acheived. Primarily, the camera was purchased to capture photos of my children growing. When i purchased it, it came with the stock 18 - 55mm lens, which had little reach especially when taking pictures of my children performing in school plays etc. I opted to purchase a 55 to 300mm Nikon lens to add to my reportoire.

Now I would like to update the body as I would like to be able to take movies of the children as well as stills. I have seen that more and more people are using DSLRs as video cameras. Is there a Nikon equivalen that I could buy that wouldnt break the bank and allow me use of my lenses?

Thanks for the help.

[Ray Singh]

Thank you for your suggestions. The D3200 looks a good deal. I would want body only, so the refurished model shown in the link is ideal.

I appreciate the help. Thank you.

[Ray Singh]

I am really pleased with the reviews on the D3200 and am almost ready to press the buy button.

A couple of questions though.

I have read about an autofocus problem with this model - is it worth asking about the SW on the camera?
Does the re-furbished quote mean that the shutter count will be zero?
I have a standard 15-55mm lens that came with my D40, I presume that this will work with the D3200?
I also have a 55 - 300 mm lens which I purchased. Will this work with the D3200?
If anyone has experience of buying refurbished - does the unit come in a Nikon box with accesoires, such as strap etc? Its just that I will sell my D40 on Ebay in order to help pay for the D3200.

What size of memory card would you recomend for the D3200 - I have a 8GB card in my D40, but obviously that doesnt have to store video. 32GB cards seem reasonable, price wise.

So far, I have been a "Auto mode" photographer. But with the D3200, I plan to attend evening classes to learn how to actually take photos.

Edited to add - the D40 has a crop sensor, so I assume that the D3200 has similar? The D3300 doesnt have a crop sensor. Am i better off buying the D3200 or the D3300 - considering I have lenses specific to crop sensors (so im told).

Thanks in advance for your kind help.

Edited by Ray Singh on Monday 4th August 21:27

[Ray Singh]

Thanks for all the advice.

No i have to work out if its better to just stump up the money for a new D3200 which will come with battery etc, or if the refurb and a battery will work out better.

The problem is that if i sell my D40 - whoever buys it will want a battery and charger and strap etc.....

[Ray Singh]

Apologies, I assumed a single type of battery for most Nikon Cameras.
I mailed the company selling the refurbished D3200 - no response.

I will call them in the morning.

[Ray Singh]

Good evening.

Thank you to those who advised me above. I have just got back home following a trip to (grotty) Swindon town centre. I purchased a refurbished Nikon D3200 from GW cameras at £199.99.
I was amazed, they gave me all of the boxes and asked me to choose the one i wanted. They were all idenitcal. My choice was a smart looking model with a Nikon box and a shutter activation count of 1!

Battery is already on charge and i am desperate to have a go.

I will put my D40 on Ebay in the morning - unless anyone on here wants to buy it!

Thanks again to all of you and to the wonderful Pistonheads forum