Focus using Manual Controls?

Manual focus on the D40 is hard because the screen doesn't "snap" into focus like the old manual focus film SLRs. This is because the D40 was designed to be primarily used as an autofocus camera. With today's variable aperture zoom lenses and a pentamirror system, the D40 viewfinder is also darker than cameras using wider aperture lenses ("faster lenses") and true pentaprisms.

First, make sure your AF assist lamp on the D40 is active. That should automatically come on and it's quite bright and will allow you to focus in dark rooms. Push menu, select the pencil and then menu option 9. Make sure AF assist is "ON".

Next, for right now, try AF focusing, rather than manual focusing. With the AF assist light, it should work for any sort of work that's reasonably close. In the custom menu setting (the pencil again), select single area focusing. Use the center focus point, which is usually the most sensitive. You can lock focusing by putting the center area where you want it focused, then pushing the release part-way and holding it when you hear the beep (and the image should look in focus (focus on the eyes!)), then recomposing while keeping the release pressed partway. This will lock the autofocus on where you had it aimed.

In your menu (pencil setting again), menu item 2, choose AF-A or AF-S. If the subject is moving AF-A or AF-C works. When stopped, AF-A or AF-S will both work. AF-S will lock the focus, which is really important for the single focus-point / recompose method.

For your monolights--use the modeling lights! You might need an additional light if the AF assist and modeling lights aren't enough.

Finally, if none of those things work, try a different lens with a wider aperture (example, the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8), which lets in more light making it easier for the AF system and for manual focusing.

And get your practice done now and iron out the kinks before August!

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