Long range lens for Nikon D40?

Try this one

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/l...

I suggest you get a nikon d40 and either the nikon 18-200mm lens or the nikon 55-200mm with your kit lens. Basically this covers what you really want. short range with the 18mm and long range with the 200mm in just 1 or 2 lenses. The 55-200 + kit lens is the cheaper solution but you have to change lenses. I used to have the d40 with 18-200mm lens and I absolutely loved it. I learned that I usually took photos at 18mm or 200mm and hardly any in between.

The suggestions for the Nikon 70-300mm VR are excellent, and the 55-200mm VR would also be a great choice. The VR feature really helps to steady your camera.

That being said, I'd also recommend bringing along a monopod. I use one extensively for sports photography, and that can give you the extra edge when on the move. In those situations, you can turn off the VR and set the camera for a lower ISO. With the finer potential image from the lower ISO, you can crop each image afterwards in the computer.

I do that when shooting basketball or football, and that can yield results similar to a 400mm or longer lens.

I recommend Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

70-300 VR.

http://www.adorama.com/NK70300AFVRU.html%E2%80%A6

Otherwise, for less, 55-200 VR. Works perfectly on the D40, but you get less reach than the 70-300 VR. Also feels cheaper due to the cheap construction and plastic mount.

http://www.adorama.com/NK55200VRU.html

By the way, Ansell A's suggestion costs about $10,000, which isn't that good of an idea.