D3000

[PhotoXopher]

Even an SB-400 ($100) would be a huge help.

 

[FlickerLight]

A tripod would also help tremendously, or even a bean bag to set your camera on that you can place put on a chair, stair or a banister. It would be especially helpful if you got an infrared remote too (those are around $20).

 

[PhotoXopher]

Remotes are $5 shipped on eBay (and yes, they work awesome).

 

[Fisheye83]

1/5000???? Ye Gods... WAY too fast. Especially indoors without a flash. Even 1/500 is probably too fast. Do you know how to use the light meter? Set your ISO and aperture then press the shutter halfway down, then adjust the dial until the meter in the viewfinder centers. That is the correct shutter speed for that shot... it'll probably be between 1/60 and 1/125.

agreed. for inanimate objects i dont go lower than 1/40th shutter speed, with people i try not to go slower than 1/120 i mostly stay on M but also fond of A. you can also check your flash settings they have different power levels so if the flash is too bright you can bring it down or a neat trick i used when i started out is grap a peice of wax or printer paper and tape it over the flash to diffuse it

 

[NikonD40x@Denver]

how much are light meters? I really would like to use them.

 

[DennyCrane]

Besides the one built into your camera?