Originally posted by reh321 At the top of the chart is the notation 'FA and F "soft" lenses behave like M lenses in terms of metering'. I'm not sure what this is trying to say, but I have a FA 28-105, which does have an aperture ring, just like my "A" lenses do. And just like my "A" lenses, the aperture ring has an "A" position which causes the lens to behave just like a "DA" lens does. Are other "FA" lenses different?
The F and FA "soft" lenses have an aperture ring, but do not have an "A" setting. This is because they operate in partial stop-down mode. Between f2.8-f4.5 (FA) and f2.8-f5.6 (F) on the 85mm lenses the aperture closes as you turn it so you can assess the soft-effect in the viewfinder as you compose your picture. Beyond this stop-down zone the aperture will stop-down as you take the picture.
So on a modern DSLR you need to use stop-down metering in Manual mode. I don't own one so cannot be sure but imagine you can use them in Av mode up to the limit of the soft zone (4.5-5.6).
Hopefully an owner can chime in here with a definitive answer.
ps. I have the "K" 85mm 2.2 Soft. It will work in Av mode throughout the aperture range as there is no partial stop-down range and the aperture will close down to any set f stop
Last edited by pschlute; 11-19-2018 at 08:59 AM.