Have you ever used the d3200? Do you think that it has enough settings that I wouldn't have to upgrade for a while, or is it better to save for a camera with a bunch of settings?
Any time!
I've not used a D3200 as I currently own a D300 (prosumer/semi-pro body). I do have an old Nikon D70, my first DSLR. Back when I got it there were the following listed from entry-level to professional:
D40, D70, D100, and D1
The D3200 and D3300 are considered entry-level DSLR cameras. These would be considered the successors to the D40/D40x if you wanted to go all the way back to Gen 1 Nikon DSLR bodies. Some D70/D70s users would probably argue it, but my old D70 would be the equivalent of the Nikon D5200 or D5300 currently. Though I don't recognize it as a replacement/upgrade, technically the D7000 and D7100 would be the successor to my current D300 or the D300s.
The flow would be:
entry-level
D40 > D40x > D50 > D60 > D3000 > D3100 > D3200 > D3300
entry level (advanced)
D70 > D70s > D80 > D90 > D5000 > D5100 > D5200 > D5300
I would consider the D3200/3300 or the D5200/5300. The 3300 and 5300 are recently released cameras and are thus a tad more pricey. You might be able to find excellent deals for the D3200 or D5200 as such. I'm not certain if there is much to gain by spending more for the newer 3300 or 5300 bodies over the predecessor.
The 2 downsides I can possibly recall are that the older D40 or D60 did NOT have an autofocus motor within their body. Thus you had to rely on newer lenses with the AF motor in the lens to have autofocus abilities. Some will turn their nose up at the notion of using autofocus and feel that manual focus is the only means to use a camera. To each their own. The other issue could be the ability to use the camera's build-in flash as a commander flash when using Nikon off-body flashes (aka speedlights) for the Nikon Creative Lighting System. My D70 had the ability to use the build-in flash, but I think the old D40 did not. This was one of those "perks" to getting a higher end body.
Rambling....basically I'd research between the 2 entry-level bodies. They'd be excellent starting points for your current position. Once familiar and comfortable with those, then I'd consider spending the money on a "camera with a bunch of settings." I think this will keep you from getting overwhelmed and then possibly disinterested. Why use a jackhammer, when a simple tack hammer will do the job just as well and for less and with less potential for damage?
I will recommend this...doing some pre-clicking Submit Reply research, both the D3200/3300 and the D5200/5300 do not have the commander mode ability with off-camera Nikon-brand flashes. You have 2 options, I think. Either get the SC-28 or SC-29 flash sync cords or SU-800 wireless speedlight commander. Either of these will give you the ability to use a Nikon-brand flash (I'd get the SB-700). These will give you the ability to do studio-type photos for any snakes you have, and then also be able to do nice, properly lit family photos, etc....all with learning and practice of course.
However, what you spend in getting those items for doing off-camera flash, you can instead opt to get a Nikon D7000 or D7100. Ignoring flash needs, and shifting to lenses I'd look into these lenses:
18-300 can be a good general walk around lens, giving both wide angle and telephoto shots. The cameras you're interested in may even come bundled with it as a kit option (looks like Costco has a kit of the D5300 with the 18-55 and 55-300 VR lenses.)
35mm 1.8 G - great "normal" lens on a crop-sensor DSLR (crop sensor is different than full-frame sensor...you'll need to read on this possibly).
Nikon 60mm micro lens OR the tamron 90mm macro lens - both are excellent macro lenses. I own the older Nikon 60mm vs the newer one released a few years ago.
These would give you good starting points and possibly have you at a decent kit setup for under $1700 if you shop around. Obviously pricing will vary depending on what camera body you choose.
And that reply was seriously long winded. :crazy02: