Novice Lens Question

jwebberfb · 04-21-2009, 04:43 PM

I am sure this is a simple "stupid user" question, but I have come into some lenses that mount up nicely to my K20. Those that have an "A" setting for the f stops I am having no problem with as I can control all the functions from the dials in terms of aperture and focus manually. On those without that setting though, even though they mount up, I am unable to shoot the shots even once I get focused because it is blinking "F - -" and its like it doesn't know what the aperture is and therefore will not go forward. What am I missing or is this common? It seems others are able to use the "M" series which seem to be the same?

**Ash** · 04-21-2009, 04:48 PM

Go into your menu and look for the item that says something like "Using lens on A setting" and set to "Permit non-A setting", and you'll find you can then set your lens to the aperture you want and the camera will meter when using the green button in M mode.

**Canada_Rockies** · 04-21-2009, 05:06 PM

The precise wording is [Enable Aperture Ring] and set it to [Permitted]. I have no idea whatsoever why it is disabled in the first place.

aleonx3 · 04-21-2009, 05:10 PM

I believe the default on "use aperture ring" is set to "prohibited"; just change it to "permitted", then you should be able to use MF lens.

OregonJim · 04-21-2009, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

The precise wording is [Enable Aperture Ring] and set it to [Permitted]. I have no idea whatsoever why it is disabled in the first place.

Good point, Albert - so why the heck is it disabled by default, and who would ever want to disable it on purpose?

**Canada_Rockies** · 04-21-2009, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by OregonJim

Good point, Albert - so why the heck is it disabled by default, and who would ever want to disable it on purpose?

Jim, I don't know why Mr. Pentax did this at all. It makes no sense to me, but I did read somewhere that it might be so that newbies using A and FA lenses don't move the aperture ring off the A position and foul up their exposure. I just enabled it on my K10 and never move it.

jwebberfb · 04-21-2009, 05:23 PM

Many thanks folks.....worked like a charm. Guess I would have eventually figured that out but you all saved me another evening of frustration.

04-21-2009, 04:43 PM	#1
jwebberfb New Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 12	Novice Lens Question I am sure this is a simple "stupid user" question, but I have come into some lenses that mount up nicely to my K20. Those that have an "A" setting for the f stops I am having no problem with as I can control all the functions from the dials in terms of aperture and focus manually. On those without that setting though, even though they mount up, I am unable to shoot the shots even once I get focused because it is blinking "F - -" and its like it doesn't know what the aperture is and therefore will not go forward. What am I missing or is this common? It seems others are able to use the "M" series which seem to be the same?

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04-21-2009, 04:48 PM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Go into your menu and look for the item that says something like "Using lens on A setting" and set to "Permit non-A setting", and you'll find you can then set your lens to the aperture you want and the camera will meter when using the green button in M mode.

04-21-2009, 05:06 PM	#3
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	The precise wording is [Enable Aperture Ring] and set it to [Permitted]. I have no idea whatsoever why it is disabled in the first place.

04-21-2009, 05:10 PM	#4
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	I believe the default on "use aperture ring" is set to "prohibited"; just change it to "permitted", then you should be able to use MF lens.

04-21-2009, 05:11 PM	#5
OregonJim Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 1,327	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies The precise wording is [Enable Aperture Ring] and set it to [Permitted]. I have no idea whatsoever why it is disabled in the first place. Good point, Albert - so why the heck is it disabled by default, and who would ever want to disable it on purpose?

04-21-2009, 05:14 PM	#6
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by OregonJim Good point, Albert - so why the heck is it disabled by default, and who would ever want to disable it on purpose? Jim, I don't know why Mr. Pentax did this at all. It makes no sense to me, but I did read somewhere that it might be so that newbies using A and FA lenses don't move the aperture ring off the A position and foul up their exposure. I just enabled it on my K10 and never move it.

04-21-2009, 05:23 PM	#7
jwebberfb New Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 12 Original Poster	Many thanks folks.....worked like a charm. Guess I would have eventually figured that out but you all saved me another evening of frustration.