What is wrong with my Nikon D40?
I'm facing several problems with my Nikon D40 camera. In scene mode, the auto-focussing does not work and the flash just pops up in response to the click button. This happens particularly after taking picture of a dark object in low light conditions.
Added (1). Perhaps the lack of time I faced when I was last filling in the details made me seem like some sort of a dumb newbie. Well, No, I'm well aware of at least the basics. I apologize if I were unclear earlier. I was not trying to point out the flash popping up as the problem ( I'm quite capable of figuring out why the flash pops up if and when it does). I was merely trying to convey the fact that the camera works fine but for the auto-focus. When I press the shutter-release button (thank you for pointing that out) halfway in auto mode, the focus should lock which does not happen in my camera. Now I wanna know why? Am I doing something wrong or is there something wrong with my D40?
Use your camera in the Shutter priority, Aperture priority or Manual modes.
The reason the flash automatically activates in low light is because there's not enough light to hand hold the camera and NOT get blurry photos.
Spend some time on this website and learn how to balance ISO, shutter speed and lens aperture.
As it is, you are using the camera as nothing more than a nice P&S camera
Do you have the user manual? If not, you can download one from Nikon's website.
The shutter release which you quaintly call the "click button" needs to be pressed slowly to prevent camera movement, especially when shooting at slow shutter speeds
Read the manual and and all will become clear. The camera is working - now learn to work it. As for the auto focus - which mode are you using? There are a number of scene modes - some of them specifically designed to limit depth of field. Unless you dropped it, the camera is probably working correctly. Read the directions carefully and figure out where you are making the wrong choice of mode for what you are shooting.
The flash will come out automatically if the camera is set on any scene mode other than No Flash. You have to turn off the flash if you don't want it.
There's nothing wrong with your camera. It's having difficulty focussing because there isn't enough light, that's why the flash is popping up too.
Dig out the user manual, and read it, if you lost it, get it here: http://www.nikonusa.com/...D40_en.pdf
The problem with your camera is the nut on the shutter release. You should probably get it replaced.
When using the D40 in scene mode, you are essentially turning it into a point and shoot. The camera is making its own determinations regarding autofocus and the need for flash.
LOL- 'nut' on the shutter release!
My Nikon d40 camera flash is not responding