Ok guys I have played with my D40 for a little bit now and tomorrow I am going to be taking some pictures of Boats that will be racing. I am planning to use the 55-200mm lens and I have the camera setup in P-Mode. The Iso is set to auto. Any idea where I should start with the F number? I imagine I will have to have it set to a lower number if I want to have a higher shutter speed. I don't plan on using a tripod, I think it will be harder with one.

Can you set the aperture in P mode? I think you need Aperture priority to do that.

No I think the Aperture is set by the camera but the dial can be changed (flexible program) to change the aperture size. Should I shoot in aperture mode instead?

I haven't shot any racing boats but If I did I would put it on shutter priority. I would think that DOF wouldn't matter if you weren't shooting fast enough to stop the action. With having the combination of a fast moving boat and being zoomed in I would be more concerned about motion blur than DOF. I would also think about the time of day you will be shooting and where you will be in relation to the sun and pick a shooting position accordingly. Also make sure and use a lens hood and a polarizing filter if you have one, Jeff

Ok thx for the help, hopefully I will get some good pics ;)

Well here are some of the pics I took yesterday. I still have a lot to learn.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll35/Raydee32/Boat%20pics/DSC_0055.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll35/Raydee32/Nikon%20Pics/Gull.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll35/Raydee32/Whiplash%2021%20FE/DSC_0107.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll35/Raydee32/Whiplash%2021%20FE/DSC_0044.jpg

Look pretty dang good to me!

Thanks, Next time I think i will try a tripod and see if they turn out a little better.

Looks like you did a very good job! I don't think a tripod would not work very well with a fast moving subject. Keep up the good work, Jeff

Try the speed mode. I'm told its great for motion.

Well I just got done playing with the Nikon Picture Project program that came with the Camera and what a difference in pictures it makes. Nice Program!

"I still have a lot to learn."

Well don't rush it too quickly. Your natural ability look like it is well worth preserving.

Warren.

Guys could using a cheaper UV filter cause problems with blurry pictures? I added a UV filter to my D-40 and now it seems the pics aren't as clear and focused as they were before. It is very possible that I may have changed a setting but I just wonder if the cheap filter could be the cause?

A cheap UV filter is never a good idea. They cause flare and ghosting, which can seriously impact contrast and even perceived sharpness. Truly low quality filters can also impact the overall maximum potential image quality. I only suggest using an UV or NC filter when in a dangerous environment that requires protecting the front element from dust, dirt, sand, or impacts, and then a reasonably high quality multicoated one. You should also use a lens hood at all times.

What brand would you recommend? I like the idea of having one installed all the time just in case something happens, something always seems to happen. THe one I bought is made by Hoya and it was supposed to be High Quality but I have heard that before.

Hoya makes some good filters, but you are going to want their absolute best filters for best results.In some cases the effects are simply unavoidable.

Ok thanks, I think I will ditch the filter and just use the Lens hood. My Lens isn't a very expensive one so even if something happens I won't be out a ton. I would rather have better looking pictures anyway.

Well I got rid of the filter and my pics are back to where they were. Next time I will try the tripod.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll35/Raydee32/Nikon%20Pics/duck.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll35/Raydee32/Nikon%20Pics/duck2.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll35/Raydee32/Nikon%20Pics/herring.jpg