IMHO, buying a Nikon D40 or D60 locks you out of getting some really superbly priced used lenses. They are fine cameras, but I feel that the removal of the in-body focus motor will substantially limit your future lens choices. I personally bought a D80 for just a bit more than a D60 because of this, and I have more than made up the difference by getting several used lenses that would not autofocus on a D40 or D60. For example: Nikon's 28-200mm AF-D can be picked up for $200 or so 2nd hand. And the 50mm f1.8, which can be picked up for $100 and makes a great portrait lens and available light lens - and it might be the sharpest lens Nikon makes. Neither of these lenses will auto-focus on a D40 or D60, but work great on a D80 or D50 (as well as Nikon's higher end pro cameras).