Is there a 'B' setting on a Nikon D40x that can be used with a manual lens?

I have a Nikon D40x, but only have a manual lens, which means that I can only use the camera on the 'M' setting.
Is there any way I can set the camera to take long exposure shots (in the same way that the 'B' setting on Nikon film cameras works)?

Added (1). Thanks for your quick answer!

Do I have to have a remote to be able to do this, or is it possible to achieve it without one?

As long as you can calculate the exposure, bulb can be used.

Usually it is easier to use a remote shutter release to you can hold the shutter open for as long as you want without touching the camera, posibly causing camera movement. Camera movement = blur

M for manual focus and M for manual exposure are two separate things. The manual focus switch (it's usually a switch on the camera body or the lens) is on camera bodies than have a focus motor to disengage it when a manual lens is mounted. Your D40x may not have a manual focus switch on the body, if it doesn't have a focus motor.

The manual exposure mode (M on the dial where you select A, S, etc) is what determines exposure - it hasn't nothing to do with focus.whether or not a manual lens is mounted. To select 'bulb', you need to be in Manual exposure mode and dial the shutter speed down, past 30" (seconds) and bulb will appear. The shutter will stay open as long as you keep the shutter button pressed. However, this will cause camera shake, so as well as a tripod, you'll need a remote release, which allows you to lock the shutter open and then close it again when you want. The Nikon ML-L3 remote (IR) costs around £10 and works with the D40x - you can get it from Amazon.

To the best of my knowledge every Nikon D40x sold came with an auto focus lens, the AF-S 18-55mm zoom. There's a switch marked M/A on the lens, M being for Manual focus and A being for Auto focus. When shooting in low-light or at night you'll probably want to use Manual focus.

On the camera, M is for Manual Mode which requires you to set both aperture and shutter speed based on the camera's light meter. Manual Mode also allows you to select the B (Bulb) setting on the shutter speed selector so you can hold the shutter open as long as you want.

This site will help you learn more about your D40x:
http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d40x/index.html

When using any shutter speed below 1/60 sec.a tripod is required. For exposures up to 30 seconds you can use the camera's self-timer. For longer exposures a remote like the Nikon ML-L3 will be needed. If your lens has Nikon's VR (Vibration Reduction) it should be turned OFF when your camera is on a tripod.

I use and recommend this site for night/low-light exposures:
http://www.calculator.org/...osure.aspx I chose the Scene 'Distant view of city skyline, floodlit buildings' and ISO 200 for these pictures:

100mm @ f11, exposure for 30 seconds.

200mm @ f11, exposure for 30 seconds.

If your goal is to shoot star trails this site will help:
http://www.danheller.com/star-trails

Manual Mode on the camera and Manual on the lens mean two different things, on the camera it means the camera will ignore the metering system and allow you to set both shutter speed and aperture.

Manual on the lens means that you have to set the aperture on the lens, on a lens Auto means auto aperture, selectable by the camera.

A remote release is necessary as you can then lock the shutter open without disturbing the camera and causing camera shake.

Nikon cripple their entry level cameras, on other makes you can use Aperture Priority with manual lenses and still get metering, with your D40 you can't.