Camera settings

Hi, this may sound daft but im looking for the best camera settings for photographing aircraft landing. I have a nikon d40 and have been using the green auto setting. But im finding my images are quite dark silloette against the blue sky. Do i need to alter the metering system to spot, or use exposure compensnation, if so how much. I noticed all the photos on dtv website are far better quality than i can acheive. My lens is a 55-200 nikon dx. any help appreciated thanks. Ps photos on the ground are very good quality, its just the flying ones,

Hi Ron, I to have recently got a new camera and had problems. I have the Canon Eos 40D, and like you I was getting dark images. I found that if I used the camera on the fully manual setting chose my shutter speed, then used the on board meter to set the F stop, it worked. Personally I prefer a slower shutter speed around 250, then it gives you a sence of movement on a background. Its up to you. You can email me of group if you have any problems.

Goodluck.

Awesome Stuart. What's an F stop? I've looked at my point and shoot camera and it makes no mention of this,although the red eye reduction is very effecitive.It's an Olympus digital and transfers the snaps onto the computer, although I find them in a different place everytime I do that.
I must take a course on computer stuff. I am self taught at the moment but I feel that there is much more to it.

Was this too hard a question Stuart? I am not a technophobe by any means but I do find instructions very difficult when they assume that I have a basic knowlege of the subject. That is why I used to find MFI units so easy to put together. Made For Idiots. That's me unfortunately. I do think that Microsoft should employ people like me to test their new systems. I have a knack of breaking everything I come into contact with.I am amazed that this computer is still working but that is down to the son in law who spends a couple of hours doing things to it every time he comes to visit. He dosen't suck his teeth and shake his head anymore now he is used to it.