Hi Kate,
For what it's worth, most of the cameras mentioned have video capacity in some form, if you are not interested in movies and don't mind spending a relatively small amount of money on a learning curve, have you considered a used D50, D70 or D80 ? All these have internal motors so you will be able to auto-focus with any Nikon lens, and then perhaps when you have had time to decide what type of photography interests you more, then trade up to a D90 or whatever. I use a D50 which are available for about £200 or less with a 18-55 lens, and I would think the D70 would be about the same, although the D80 is probably about £350. I use a D50 and to be honest were it not for the small LCD requiring me to put my reading glasses on to review each shot it more than does everything I want.
I don't need video and the guides that come with the newer models, and if I could get a similar spec model to the D50 with a 3.00" screen it would suit me, but I can't as they aren't available. Anyway, enough about my needs, this thread was supposed to be about yours, and a suggestion for a "cheapish" way of finding out what suits you. I hope this has helped.
For what it's worth, most of the cameras mentioned have video capacity in some form, if you are not interested in movies and don't mind spending a relatively small amount of money on a learning curve, have you considered a used D50, D70 or D80 ? All these have internal motors so you will be able to auto-focus with any Nikon lens, and then perhaps when you have had time to decide what type of photography interests you more, then trade up to a D90 or whatever. I use a D50 which are available for about £200 or less with a 18-55 lens, and I would think the D70 would be about the same, although the D80 is probably about £350. I use a D50 and to be honest were it not for the small LCD requiring me to put my reading glasses on to review each shot it more than does everything I want.
I don't need video and the guides that come with the newer models, and if I could get a similar spec model to the D50 with a 3.00" screen it would suit me, but I can't as they aren't available. Anyway, enough about my needs, this thread was supposed to be about yours, and a suggestion for a "cheapish" way of finding out what suits you. I hope this has helped.

got a long way to go lots and lots of learning 
