a little help please........

Aaron1971 · 10-04-2008, 12:54 AM

Okay, so here's my question.....I just recieved my K10D and my SMC A 50/1.7 is coming soon. I have been reading alot and am a bit confused on this whole aperture ring issue. My understanding is that because my lens is an 'A' that the camera should be able to set the aperture, is this true or do I have to do that with the lens' aperture ring, or is it even possible for me to use the ring? If this is the case then if it was an 'M' lens I would not be able to do either, right?

If the camera will not set the aperture then how do I use the "stop down" method to set up my shot? PLEASE HELP!!!! And as I have demonstrated my ignorance please reduce your answers to the most elementary level so it can sink into my thick skull.

And thanks in advance.

*Damn Brit* · 10-04-2008, 03:48 AM

As long as the lens has an A setting and you put it on that setting, it will work fine.

*Stratman* · 10-04-2008, 04:50 AM

To do "stop down" metering, you first need to go into your Custom menu, and look for "Using Aperture Ring" Set that to "enabled" and then you can use your old M lenses. Set the camera to M mode, set your aperture on the ring, then hit the "Green Button" and it will stop down the lens and set your shutter speed.

Marc Sabatella · 10-04-2008, 03:20 PM

Note that both both of the above answers are correct. But since it is less work to leave the lens in the "A" position and set aperture using the camera, that's what people do if the lens has an "A" position. A couple of other advantages: metering is generally more accurate when using the "A" position (and you can use multi-segment metering, I believe, which is not available with the aperture ring), and the flash works correctly (automatically) when using the "A" position, but not otherwise. So it's better all-round not to use the aperture ring to set aperture unless you have no choice - that is, only if your lens doesn't *have* an "A" position.

Coincidentally, as I typed this up, the doorbell rang, and it was the postwoman, delivering the M100/2.8 (no "A" position) I bought for my wife on Ebay. I've got one of these already - bought it a month or two ago - and she tried it and loved it. I can't speak highly enough about this lens. Not one of the more "glamorous" of the old lenses, but damn, it takes a good picture, and is amazingly compact and light for the focal length and aperture. I paid $120 for mine, and incredibly, only $70 for hers - both from Ebay auctions.