Originally Posted by
D1andonlyDman
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).
Just a few points:
[1] Many [most] of Nikon's older extended range AF zooms
suck - big time. Being able to use most of Nikon's older non-f/2.8 AF zooms is no advantage IMHO, particularly on digital bodies with a high pixel count/density.
[2] Nikon currently produces about 30 AF-S lenses that will auto focus on the D40/D60 which cover a range from 16mm to 600mm. I have no doubt that the OP will have no trouble finding what he needs from this list, in terms of range, price, and quality.
[3] Nikon has recently introduced a 35mm f/1.8 AF-S for under $200 which is effectively a 50mm lens on APS-C cameras like the D40/D60.
[4] Pretty much every lens Nikon will make in the future will be AF-S.
[5] The D90 [while a great camera] is both significantly heavier and bulkier and much more expensive than is the D60 which would seem to violate two of the things the OP wanted most.