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I suggest a package like this:http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3300-18-55mm-55-200mm-Accessory/dp/B00YDQ9EG8/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1464957966&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=nikon+d3300&psc=1I have and use both of those lenses and they are excellent. If you wanted to spend a bit more for a few more features, get a D5300 body instead. Don't forget to add some storage cards.
You say she has moved up a couple of times with her camera. Were they always the same brand? Might give an indication that she prefers a particular brand. I'd suggest getting her an excellent lens. They are generally kept "forever" as opposed to bodies which tend to get replaced every few years as technology evolves.
I have a 17-55 2.8 lens
A macro lens? A 28mm may not be what you want.
I have a 17-50 2.8 lens that I have been very happy with as a general walkaround lens. I combine this with a 70-200L for shooting photos of my kids playing sports and it also makes excellent portrait shots. I also have a few nice prime lenses (fixed zoom) but I rarely use them.Agree. A macro lens is for very specific shots and I would not get that as the first lens.Other things to consider would be a good flash and depending on the type of shots a good tripod.And make sure to tell her to use her student license before it expires to buy some good photo software. I recommend AdobeLightroom for library management and minor edits.
Is the non-zoom (prime lens) a requirement? The lens you linked looks to be great but a fixed zoom is very specific and it takes a while to figure out what focal length works the best for ones work. Plus if she will only have one lens, a prime lens maybe will become restrictive. There are many excellent and "fast" zoom lenses. Take a look at the digital-picture.com link I posted earlier to get some ideas.I'm far far far from an expert, but 2.8 is "fast" enough for me, and many times I shoot a mixture of small and large aperture.
See here for more info : http://community.usa.canon.com/t5/EOS/What-to-buy-6d-7d-or-70d-why/td-p/73732Here's the link: http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-camerasFor canon lenses the ones marked as L are the premium ones and they can be very pricey. There are also other 3rd party manufacturers that also makes good lenses for both canon and nikon mounts. I recommend to start with a good " walkaround" lens that can be used as a general lens. If the camera has a crop factor (like the 70d), you need the width to be 17 or 18mm or it will be tricky to take good group photos, etc in tight settings such as indoors. For a full frame camera you don't have to go that low. The kit lens for the full frame 6d is EF 24-105mm f/4 L, which is a very good option Here's an excellent guide for picking lenses based on what kind of photos to shoot plus budget: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Recommendations.aspx I would also be careful buying one of the kits with all kind of extras since it may not be used or of good enough quality.
They were both hand me downs. The first was a point and shoot digital, her current camera is a slightly better Fuji, but no separate lens. She might like the mirror less size, but she does do some wildlife and those shutters are slow. Another option is to give her my Canon G11, which is similar to the mirror less for shutter speeds.
Fuji cameras are mirrorless and they're slower to autofocus than Olympus. If she was ok with the performance of the Fuji with the wildlife photos she took, I would seriously consider a mirrorless body. There are plenty of professional photographers that use mirrorless bodies for their livelihood.And you probably meant to say continuous autofocus is slow - not shutters. Olympus has a mechanical shutter that is capable of 1/8000 sec - which is plenty fast.There is a stigma associated with mirrorless and I'm still not sure why... but hey, it's a free market. Good luck to your daughter.
You are erring on the side of buying too much at first. As you note, she has to tell you the lens mount system she prefers (nikon, canon, sony, 4/3rds)She actually has no idea based on the camera she uses now. I would advise Nikon, but Canon is fine too.This is where you go to read on camera and reviews on them, etc.http://www.dpreview.com/Budget plays a huge role, here is a roundup of $800-1200 backshttp://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2016-roundup-interchangeable-lens-cameras-800-1200Each company has a prosumer digital back that will suit your needs.Glass is most important, you know this. Good glass lasts a lifetime. The pro zooms you mention are GREAT glass, BUT, she may not use them. Why? Unlike the lenses she is used to, those weigh almost 2 pounds! It is like balancing a can of beans at the end of a lever arm on your wrist.The grip on pro bodies is designed to help balance this, and pro bodies weigh 3X as much to balance this also.So - in one or two years she probably will want those pro zooms and at that time she should get one,But to start, I think you are onto something better- fast primes. A small set of fast prime lenses will allow for light weight, portability that will have her taking more photos in my opinion (at least to start). Since your back will have a digital crop, look at 30mm, 50mm, LEarning to frame with a prime lens is part of photography, as is carrying a few light lenses and swapping as required. I think a kit of a budget back and some really nice fast light primes (f/1.8 is the sweet spot most often for price performance) would be better than a professional 2.8 zoom.Each company has a "travel zoom" with built in image stabilization that you should eventually get her for taking on trips where she needs those features. This is a lighter weight, f/4-5.6 lens usually with IS or VR (depends on the company what they call it).SLR please, not mirrorless.
