D40, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor, which lens next...Please help

If by "close up" photos, you mean macro, and from a distance, you'll probably want to look at the AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED.

If you meant that you want a nice telephoto zoom, then you will want to pick up the AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED -- it's said to be one of the best for what you are looking for and will be a good investment when you eventually upgrade your camera body.

Here's the Nikon official pages on them:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-N...F-S-VR-Micro-NIKKOR-105mm-f%2F2.8G-IF-ED.html

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-N...S-VR-Zoom-NIKKOR-70-200mm-f%2F2.8G-IF-ED.html

Alex

If you have about $1700 burning a hole in your pocket (probably not, since you got a D40), you could look into Nikon's 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. Otherwise, it sort of depends on your budget. Probably your best bet would be one of the 55-200mm lenses, which are fairly cheap but have decent optics, though not a great max aperture - f/5.6 - for telephoto, especially if you're shooting action. There's a reason good lenses are expensive.