So, try using ISO 800 or 1600. If you're not happy with the level of noise such ISOs give rise to, you might need to think about using lenses with a larger maximum aperture, such as the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8.

Lenses with larger maximum apertures allow in more light so that the camera is able to use faster shutter speeds.

For new lenses that you buy, be sure to check beforehand that they will autofocus on your D40.

I don't think buying a bigger flash would help much as the subjects would be too far away even for an external flash.

Try using flash in a darkened room. I've gotten several good snaps of my daughters in mid-air while they were jumping. I was using an SB-400 with the kit lens. One thing though. You have to anticipate the peak of the jump. If you see it in the viewfinder, it's too late.

Go to: http://www.diyphotobits.com/2009/02/03/diyphotobitscom-camera-control-40-basic-bracketing/

This works perfectly for time lapse and HDR multi-exposure EV bracketing

JR

I just bought the Nikon D40 to take pictures of my 2 year old daughter. She moves very fast and I was missing alot of great shots with my old camera. The pictures would turn out blurry because of her fast movemet. I wanted to be able to take a picture of her frozen mid air if she was jumping and thought this camera could do it. I have been playing around with it and I am having the same problem as my old camera. Her hands or face are coming out blurry when she's moving. Anyone know what I should be doing diffrent? I also wanted to be able to take pictures with out the flash to get a more natural picture but it's not working.

Anyone have any helpful hints for me??

Thank you very very much!

My guess on Greg's problem is that the camera cannot lock focus and therefore refuses to take the photo. Your problem on the other hand is due to the camera having set a long (slow) shutter speed. When you point the camera to a lighter area partway through the exposure, the camera see more light, and having determined that the amount of light is now sufficient, it closes the shutter.

Hope this helps.

Yoon Lee

I have the same issues with my Nikon D40 and 55-200vr lens. But what I've always gathered, and it's just been a good hypothesis for me, as I'm fairly new to the photography world, that it's always done that b/c it wasn't getting enough light to capture the shot? If that makes sense at all. Because when I would point it at a fairly dark subject, it would click and sound like the shutter was about to close back, but it wouldn't until i pointed it to a lighter subject. And then for sure, the picture would turn out messed up and you could see the way I moved the camera with all of the "swirly lines" on the screen. I hope that made sense to you as it made sense in my head, but that's a far cry from actually making sense! haha

Amanda