(manual focus) Tokina Lens Problem!

Hey there, I bought two old lenses (RMC Tokina 80-200 4.5, RMC Tokina 28mm 2.8 ). The lenses themselves seem in fine condition. They are both old manual focus. However, the shutter just simply won't fire when I have them attached. I'm sure they have the right mount, but my camera doesn't work when they're connected. Any ideas?

Assuming you are using a modern dslr, have you given the camera permission to release the shutter when a lens is set to anything other than 'A'? (manual lenses don't have 'A' so they come in this category).

There is a specific menu item towards the end of the 'capture' or 'custom' series. It is set by default to 'NO!' You need to change this to 'YES'. The menu item is sometimes listed in a very cryptic style. On the K5 it is the next but last item under 'custom'.

Once you've fixed it, you will not have any control of the aperture - it can't be done - so you will be shooting wide open.

start here...

Thanks guys, problem solved! It is a shame that it's stuck wide open...I'm guessing there's no way around that?

Have you tried pressing the green button?

myles, to control aperture, or simply to shoot?

If they are 'A' variants then aperture control should work from the body.

Otherwise you have to select lenses with a manual aperture ring on the lens itself

I found this one whilst trawling around the web
quite comprehensive .... http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=1181

David

If there's no "A" setting on the aperture ring, the aperture will always be wide open unless using "M" (manual) mode on the camera.

I always shoot in M mode with my old lenses (and often with my new ones too, due to the K200D's erratic metering).

Also be aware that for the green button to perform stop down metering thare has to be an electrical connection between one of more of the contacts on the camera's mount and it's body.

Many old manual lenses are anodise or lacquered and you need to grind this off on a segment of the lens mount in order for stop down metering to work

...or put a piece of foil over the contacts.