Auto Focus I want to be able to take photos that are in focus from top to bottom side to side. not just in focus at the centre with a blurred background. Very professional looking as that is I don't like it. I don't seem to be able to do this on my F30 well possibly on landscape setting. I have only had the camera a month and finding it complicated. So probably just being thick. I know how to use the AF/AE lock but that still leaves the background smudgy Thanks

You should check to ensure the camera is set on Auto Focus. Might be a switch on the body.

Probably camera shake - use a faster shutter speed

Most digital cameras have an auto focus function, to activate the auto focus press the shutter button half way down until the you get a green light or indicator then press the shutter button the rest of the way down.

One of a few things might be happening
1. Photos being taken at high zoom (i.e. 200mm) are susceptible to camera shake, even though the lens is focusing properly. The solution here is use a tripod, zoom out, or steady yourself.
2. Photos being taken without flash when flash should really be used will result in motion blur (which is slightly different than camera shake). This is due to the camera using a longer shutter speed to let more light in, with the side effect being that objects will move while the shutter is open, blurring the picture. The solution here is to use a flash, or take pictures in better light.
3. The camera may be focusing on something other than what you intended.
3. If you are taking photos in good light with a steady hand, and the camera is choosing the correct subject to focus on, then yes, the lens could need readjusted, though this is not a very likely scenario.
If the lens is "hunting" for focus, that could be a sign that something is amiss.
A local camera shop can verify the accuracy of focus for your lens.

Have you try adjusting your focus/screen drive controls to Tube R/G/B you have a focus/screen drive control block to adjust each Tube 3 controls ontop 3under them top ones are for Focus bottom is for screen drive.Red/Green/Blue Tubes.You might need to replace convergence IC, what is your Model number printed on back of TV?

The letters you're referencing is the M/A (manual / auto) focus switch. The lens has this switch and operates in Auto Focus mode when set to "A" and manual focus mode when set to "M".

You have to manually focus on the subject when in letter "M". If you do not, the result will be out of focus. From your description, it sounds like the camera / lens combination is attempting to focus and operate the shutter in auto, and focusing in manual; but due to some type of damage resulting from possible mishandling, exposure to dust, dirt or even moisture is interfering with the successful completion of the process.

You could isolate the problem to determine if the cause is in the lens or camera by simply attaching the lens to another compatible Nikon camera or placing a different auto-focus lens on your D40. The problem will either stay with your D40 or follow the lens when attached to a different camera. It is also *possible* that due to numerous attempts of auto-focusing with your D40 & lens combination, that both the lens *and* the camera have been damaged. If the problem is severe enough, the problem in the failed device could cause failure in the otherwise normally working device, too.

You might be best served by contacting Nikon Service & Support below:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-And-Repair.page

You also said you lost your manual. You can download the manual for the D40 directly from Nikon in your choice of English, French or Spanish from the link below:

http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/14157/session/L3NpZC9YRTgxQVpKag%3D%3D/kw/D40%20manual/p/19%2C334/c/187/r_id/116678/sno/0

Good luck!

You probably have macro mode on (a flower symbol is visible in the config menu). That means the focus has been modified to take close ups. Disable the macro mode and your focus comes back.

use center fous mode dont keep multi focusing mode

Did you try hitting the small button on the front of the tv labled flash focus? Try pushing this button because this model only features auto focus for aligning the red/green/blue projectors.

So... there's poor focus, and there's shutter speed.

If the light is very low, the shutter has to stay open for longer to allow enough light in to make a bright picture. Suffice to say, if you move around while the shutter is recording, it will record you moving around, and it will look blurred. That covers the concert you went to. Just use the flash. The camera will know it can use a very fast shutter speed if the flash is going to go off.

As for the person in the background thing... if they are the only blurry thing, then it's the same as above. If not, try this:
Check your camera setup menu... you should have focus options. Most toy cameras have an auto-focus that can focus on multiple points in the shot, or one point only, or even by face recognition these days! Try using a "spot focus", one focus point in the dead-centre of the shot.

On this setting, it shouldn't matter what is going on around your subject, the focus spot will be in the centre, where you are aiming it. =-]