Originally posted by First Poster It shows the F stop as __.
What this means is that the camera does not detect a lens with electrical contacts on the base and is unable to control the aperture* as a result. The causes include:
- The lens does not have the required contacts for body-controlled aperture. With such lenses, one must set the aperture manually using the ring on the lens.
- The lens may have the contacts, but the aperture ring is not in the "A" position. On most, this means pushing a small button on the side of the aperture ring to allow it to slip into this position. (Lenses without aperture rings should always be detectable.)
- The contacts on lens and/or body might be fouled (dirty) and unable to properly conduct electricity. In that case a light buffing with a clean microfiber cloth is usually enough to get them clean.
As noted above, lenses without the "A" contacts on the base are still usable, but require special attention if one wants to use the built-in meter.
Steve
* The f-number on the LCD display is the setting to be applied, not the setting as detected.