istDL with full format 80-300mm Pentax Lens

[JvL]

Hi there,
First post here on the forums.

According to my istDL manual the 80-300 lens is compatible with my camera but I have trouble using it in any other mode except for M.

In Av mode it shoots but I have no control over the aperture setting. The aperture ring is set to A.

Anyone else had experience with non digital Pentax lenses and DX format SLRs?

Regards,
Jason

[Mr Guy]

I'm not familiar with that particular model, and none of my older lenses even have A modes, but I figured I'd get the the first thing out of the way. Does your model of camera have the "Use Aperture Ring" setting in the Custom settings menu?

[JvL]

Mr. Guy, thanks for attempting to help even without familiarity

Yes..there is a menu item called "Using Aperture Ring". 1 Prohibited. 2. Permittted
When set it lets you take photos when the aperture ring is in a position other than A.
The lens will only work when this is set...but moving the ring has no effect on the aperture. It's strange. It will only work when in the mode.

[GEli]

So with the aperture ring in the A position:
1) You have full control in M mode
2) You have no aperture control in Av mode

Is this correct?

Regarding the "Using Aperture Ring" setting - you won't see an immediate shift in the aperture when stopping it down by manipulating the aperture ring on a modern (past A-series) lens. This is because the lens is designed to stay wide open until you trigger the shutter, at which point it stops down to the selected f-stop. This is to aid in focussing the lens.

[navcom]

Originally Posted by JvL

Hi there,
First post here on the forums.

According to my istDL manual the 80-300 lens is compatible with my camera but I have trouble using it in any other mode except for M.

In Av mode it shoots but I have no control over the aperture setting. The aperture ring is set to A.

Anyone else had experience with non digital Pentax lenses and DX format SLRs?

Regards,
Jason

In your menus (can't remember where but it's there), there is a setting for "aperture ring" usage. Toggle it opposite what you have it set to now and see if that fixes your problem.

I"m not that familiar with the lens you are talking about. If it's a manual focus lens, you may only be able to use it in manual (M) mode. When the manual says it will "work" with your camera, that means it will fit on the camera but it may be limited in function usage, such as metering or auto focus, etc.

If this is the case, you just set to "M" and adjust the aperture using the lens ring and the exposure on the camera body.

Nav

[GEli]

Another point: There is no such thing as a Pentax 80-300mm lens. Such a lens has never been produced. The nearest existent Pentax lens I can think of is an FA 80-320mm. Can you double check the type of lens we're talking about here, JvL?