Ok let me continue the post I just sent, kitten jumped on the keyboard and sent it for me before I was finished.
So, what I did was just get a really good DSLR for an affordable price which my current lens work on.
So, right now, today, I have 'SOMETHING' to work with and learn with, while saving up and exploring the systems I have narrowed down too.
The 7200 mentioned by others is a great camera and you lenses AF will work on it too.
Any of the digitals today will be a good learning platform but what I did was what I did so I could use my existing lenses and jump in the pool to start learning to swim.
Good luck and welcome the the digital world.
bruce.

WOW !
5 pages of replies already, I will throw my two cents in here only because I was in your position 3 months ago.
I still have the Nikon N80 which I bought new back in the past with the Nikkor lenses AF/FX 70-300mm and the 28-80mm.
I have had a few cheap ass to half cheap ass point and shooters along the way as digitals started coming on.
Now that I am retired from work I too began looking to move into a full digital DSLR but the more I research I am leaning to the mirror-less platform.
I would like the video feature too.
So I became overwhelmed with all the really wonderful systems out there now. So, IN THE MEAN TIME; while learning and re-learning photography; especially in the digital world.
I bought a Nikon D200, yea it's a 2006 vintage oldie but still my lens fit right it and the auto focus works fine.
I paid 147. US dollars for this body from a Pro who bought it brand new originally. She had it serviced by Nikon yearly and it looks brand new. I got the battery and charger, lens opening cover and a couple of other little goodies. Again. My lens snap right on and work fine, the D200 being a DX, there is the 1.5 crop factor. R

You are so right, I noticed you have had quite some experience with printers too.
It can be a 'crap shoot' to find one to meet your needs.
The ink jet I have will be replaced soon when I run out of inks.
It is not worth the cost to keep buying ink for just regular printing.
Luckily there is a Cosco in the area, this is why I joined, for the printing services.
A good photo printer in reality is not going to be cheap if you want top quality photo prints.
I hope this works out for him,
b

Good move,
by reviewing the many posts on ink, I would stick with Canon ink and use good paper.
Let us know how the prints come out.
again,good catch.
b

My brother hogger, I hear you.
Ok here is my two cents worth on this.
UNLESS you are printing numerous prints on a daily/monthly/yearly output, I kinda read you are not. Just take it to Cosco.
I do and I know real Professional photographers who send there stuff there.
Here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, we have a couple of Coscos who have the fuji chemical printers and the prints are GREAT !
For 1.79 for an 8x10 the quality is unbeatable.
I have a color ink jet printer and a laser jet for regular stuff.
No matter what paper I use. Cosco beats the crap out of anything I want to print to either give away or sell.
Yea yea yea you will be slammed with replies about this and that printer. Which are are good advice, but, depending on your printing out put, consider just having it done somewhere else in the main time;
While doing this, you can research your needs and printers and narrow it down to one which will meet your needs.
There are a lot of good printers but the costs are ridiculous on the ink.
I will be where you are in a couple of months so I too will be reviewing my options.
For now, IF you want quality prints, just shoot them to Cosco and let them knock it for you.

Hey neighbor
Bruce here in Grand Prairie, a local of the area.
Welcome to the forum.
And yes we had a nice clear shot of the moon last night despite the cite lights.

I agree with cambriaman and nadelewitz, He is NOT being anal at all ! I see a guy who has his stuff organized. Period !

Looks like you have a good working system that is organized.
Six batteries, yea, looks like a working good common sense plan to me.
BTW what does the kid know anyway ? huh ?

Until they have a real life experiences of their own they they think they know more than us anyway.
I raised three boys and they come back to me and say they remember me telling them until they live it they will not know or understand it.
Ask you kid, 'do yo have a better plan ?'

There ya go buddy. I'll take that road trip with you.

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!! whatta great opportunity to have a gift like this.
Yea yea I know you said you want another another camera but may I ask you what is wrong with the Canon you currently have ?
Can you not use this one ? Just curious.

Ok, my thoughts are; depending on where you live of course; visit a good camera shop and just ask them. Tell them what you are interested in and see what their opinions are.
Do not tell them you have a shitload of money to spend.
Would it not help to contact a local camera club and chew this up with knowledgeable members ?
And of course this, what fits in your hand and controls you are comfortable with.
There are SO MANY great cameras out there now which can serve you so very well. Just find one that fits.
Me, I am left handed so I live on a backwards world and hand fit is probably more of a logistics factor with me, so I have to throw this in here.
I saw several comments on the Nikon D500, oh yea, it is nice indeed.
Again, so many good brands out there, I wish I had this blessing you have and I think many of us here would too.
Happy hunting,
this is my penny's worth of opinions from North Texas.
Bruce.

Welcome to the forum.
SharpShooter hit it right on the center of the target.
Excellent advise he gave and good practical sense too.
Lots of kit options for this model too.
I am left handed so I live in backwards world and have found the Nikons fit my hand well with access to the button's n bells.
Not all Nikons fit well but also Canon and other certain models in each brand fit well to me also.
As he said, you adapt to it but still find what feels good to you.

I am using an old 2006 model DSLR to get started with too.
The 3400, as you say, you can always sell when time to upgrade.
I think you will find that it will be a nice camera to work with.
Just find one and go for it. I know you will be glad you did and will enjoy the pics.
There is an abundance of help and guidance in this forum too.
Go shopping and get you the camera and let us all know how it goes.
Again, welcome to forum.
bruce.

Welcome to the forum, I too am new, I joined back in November or so.
This is a great watering hole for information and knowledge.
I cannot contribute anything because others have already fed you some great opinions.
But, I will say:
I live in the DFW area and so we have numerous Half Price book stores. I am kinda of a book junkie and so while on a visit this year selling back books, I checked out the Photography section and picked up a few books on basic and digital photography.
These really helped me.
Of course online, there is SOOOOOOO SOOOOO SOOOOO much information out there it is amazing.
There are also books and manuals which expand the features and make the camera easier to understand.
Just use Mr. Google and dive in.
Again, Welcome to the forum and just start having fun with the new toy.

Excellent info TriX;
There ya go. More great info from the members here. This is good to know for us travelers.
thanks for the post.
b

WOW !
Some very good advise from the members here. I too am curious about offline or cloud storage as an option while traveling especially out of the country.
Now my first thought is; and this is just me thinking Ok; IF ! you are somewhere that the cloud or whatever off location place your files are stored and you do not have access to the net, and believe me, I have seen this too.
You will not have access to them. I like the ideas presented by the members here with extra storage on the local laptop which gives you direct access to them, PLUS, having them safely offsite.
I know this deviates from you intentions of no backup but archiving instead.
I am just thinking about having access to your stuff if no internet is available.
Just a thought,
b

Post some pictures of it. This may help us id it.