Best kind of nikon for portrait photography?

I was using a NIKON d40 and someone told me it wasn't a good camera to use, it actually recently got stolen so I'm looking to buy a new one, maybe even 1 a little cheaper for now. Any ideas? I never had a problem with the d40 I actually really loved it. But suggestions would be awesome

There's no reason why you wouldn't be able to take great portraits with a D40.It's not the camera that takes good photos, it's you and your skill/knowledge. And if it was perfect for you, don't listen to anyone telling you it's a rubbish camera. You're using it, not them.

If you loved the D40, i'd suggest going for something similar in the D3100 (the most current Nikon entry level DSLR) and saving up for a 50mm f/1.8 lens, which would be great for portraits.

Any DSLR is capable of great portraits. The lens you use and your abilities are more important than the camera. D40 was the most basic Nikon entry level DSLR of it's day. If you enjoyed it, you'll be fine with a D3100 or D5100 that's out now.

Be sure to get AF-S lenses, and the 50mm f1.8 would be a great starting lens for portraits.

That "someone" is wrong.

The D40 is fully capable of producing excellent portraits. All you need besides the lighting system and skill at shooting portraits is a nice AF-S 50 mm f/1.8 lens.

The D40 is still a viable camera and is one of the only dSLR's that can shoot at flash sync speeds at 1/1000th second, something only the original Canon 1D can do

A colleague of mine has used the D40 to shoot NBA games attached to a 300 mm f/2.8 lens. Those photos are used in sports magazines and newspapers nation wide.

It really depends on what your knowledge is of editing software, composition and being able to shoot on full manual.

It comes down to the lens you use tho id say you want to shoot i'd say an 85mm for above sholders, 50mm for above waist or 35mm for full body (or at least that's my list of lenses i would use, all being prime and nonzoom)

if you want to learn how to take better photographs read sites like http://www.digital-photography-school.com/ or http://www.lighting-essentials.com/

You need to listen to better informed people. Look at these portraits, all taken with a Nikon D40 and see for yourself.

That being said, you could, with the right lenses and enough experience, match those images yourself. Consider the new D3100, the most recent entry-level Nikon DSLR.