I own a Nikon D40, great DSLR camera for the price, but be warned the autofocus lenses are expensive.

Wow! This is a great deal!

Great camera; might be the one that does NOT have a gearing for lenses without internal AF motors. Those lenses will still work, but an AF lens with an internal AF motor becomes a manual lens.

Check out dpreview.com for info; see also kenrockwell.com

Adding gearing inside the body for older Nikon lenses would make the D40 heavier and bulkier. This DSLR is very small and light with the kit lens, which is not bad for starters. Save your pennies and get a nice VR lens later and you will not be disappointed.

Sony A200, A300 or one of the next step up Canons or Nikons might be better pick for beginners. A few bucks more but other models should always be looked at.

good deal! I just recently bought same set from 6Ave(Through Amazon.com) for $460....
Circuit City Tax is ~24.00
so 432 + 24 = 456.about the same

That's how they get you #1. They cripple the mount so you either have to buy more expensive, in-lens AF lenses or a more expensive body that has the in-body AF screw.

Nikon makes great semi-pro and pro equipment. They even make good amateur lenses too. But at the entry-level, they cripple the f' out of their equipment in the hope they upgrade.

#5 ... I agree. The D40 is for those that really want to test out DSLRs. Those who arent sure if they will stick with it.

But the step up models is really the way to go.