Originally Posted by mscadden

Refurb will probably be ok. I would make sure that it comes with some kind of guarantee....but if you get really into photography you will become a hound like the rest of us and have to have the newest/latest/greatest....so your D40 probably won't stick around that long.....it will always make a great back up though.

Nice thing about Nikon....is the lenses that work on the D40 also work all the way up the line.....right up to the new D3 (though that does lead to not using the whole sensor)... but if you decide to upgrade to a D200 or D300 you will not be disappointed with your glass. You will also find that you can usually fetch 70-80% of your purchase price when selling Nikon glass used. Just keep it in good condition and make sure to put on a protective filter.