Nikon D40 - Manual (Page 37)

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Focus 25
The D40 offers a choice of three focus areas. At default settings, the camera chooses the
focus area automatically or focuses on subject in the center focus area, but the focus area
can also be selected manually to compose photographs with the main subject positioned
at either side of the frame.
Focus Area Selection
Controls used Multi selector
1 At default settings, the focus area is selected automatically in
, , , , , , P, S, A, and M modes. To enable manual
focus selection in these modes, select Single area or
Dynamic area for AF-area mode in the shooting information
display ( 24).
2 Press the multi selector left or right to select the focus area in
the viewfinder or shooting information display
.