Trouble shooting indoors with my D3200

[Horoscope Fish]

I should amend my statement about flash units... External flash units often come with an infra-red focus assisting lamp. These are very fast and reliable. Your pop-up flash will not do this, but a good, dedicated external flash unit will work with your D3200's internal focus system.

It's early over here on the left coast and I'd forgotten this. So, yes; to correct myself, a good strobe unit could very well help with your auto-focus issue.

 

[Qban Al]

Great and no problem...Thanks!

 

[WileyCoyote]

Didn't your D3200 come with the 18-55mm kit lens which is really a decent lens for indoor shooting, much better than the 55-300mm lens is.

 

[fotojack]

The 50mm also comes in an AF-S f/1.8 model, too....great for your D3200. As for an external flash, the SB-700 would be perfect.

By the way, you should be using AF-S lenses with your camera. Your camera body does not have the built in Auto Focus motor. All AF-S lenses have a built in focus motor.

 

[Don Kuykendall_RIP]

There should be a menu setting to turn the focus assist lamp on in you camera. Look for Built in Auto focus Assist. Not sure where it is in the 3200.