Aperture rings, yes or no?

The FA-J mount lenses and the DA lenses both do not have the aperture ring. To me, this is a fundamental aspect of camera ergonomics, especially the way I hold the camera ( with left hand cradling the lens and the camera, with easy access to the aperture)
It seems that lots of people are getting rid of aperture rings, due to the availability of apertures on the wheel on the camera.

The 2 new D-FA lenses are a godsend due to the fact they have aperture rings, and large focus grips.

What are your opinions on the aperture wheel? Considering the *IST ds has 1 dial, I'd like to reserve this to shutter speed.

When I get my IST* ds soon, i'll be buying lenses with an aperture dial , not important as that may be.

I used to be firmly in favour of aperture rings, but having used both the Fuji S7000 and the pentax *istDS I haven't found any problem without them. It's a very slightly different way of working, but just as efficient.

It's a bit late to tell you now... but the *ist-D has two wheels - one thumb and one finger. That way there's no issue whatsoever.

In fact, even with the *ist-DS you have full information inside the viewfinder so you can achieve the same result by adjusting the shutter speed but checking the aperture.

More to the point, if you use an aperture ring you will have to manually meter. The cameras cannot read the aperture from the ring so you have to stop down to meter.

So, as John says, it takes a bit of practice, and then it becomes natural

Matt

Acliff: I agree with you entirely about the ergonomics of the aperture ring. Apart from anything else, it splits up tasks between your hands.

As Matt says, you're restricted to manual metering if you want to use an aperture ring on the istD(S). Depending on your point of view this is either a "feature", a bug in the firmware, or an intentional ploy to cripple old lenses. I can't see any technical reason why the camera can't read the position of the aperture ring without closing the diaphragm: it has all the necessary electrical contacts and then some.

You may not think this sounds like a drawback but it can be a real pain, not least because it really eats up batteries to be forever stopping the diaphragm down. Added to which you don't have a continuous readout of exposure value in the viewfinder when using manual metering with the aperture ring at a setting other than A. Again, this is either poor firmware or intentional crippling.

All in all, manual metering works much better on my K1000. That's progress for you, I guess.

Apart from that, the big drawback of buying a lens without an aperture ring is that you might not be able to use it on your old camera, depending on the model.

I find the size, and position, of the focus ring is a much more important factor in use. Some of the more recent lenses, such as the FAJ 18-35, have very small rings, and I find the autofocus lenses generally have much less of a good "feel" to the focus movement. Haven't used either of the D-FA lenses, but looks like they're a step (back) in the right direction.

Steve

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I was really tired when I wrote the post, so I don't think I made myself clear.
I would prefer the aperture ring, due to its compatability with my MX.
Now you're saying that the aperture ring doesn't register with the digital SLRs at all? Even the A, F, FA, and FAD ones? Even with the aperture ring enabled mode on?
hmmm... thats disappointing...

To be honest though, I use aperture priority most, so the above wouldn't be too big an issue, because I assume the dial would become a aperture dial exclusively?

In any case, heres to hoping that they produce a firmware which enables full aperture ring use, at least on the more modern lenses. Will make my lens buying decisions for both the soon to be bought DS and my MX easier.

You can use the aperture ring on the *istD with a firmware update and with the *istDS as it is. This enables the aperture ring which can be used on the *istDS to give manual stop-down meter readings.

The problem is entirely avoided if you use "A" lenses or later, as you can use the aperture ring on your MX and the "A" setting on your DSLR.

In aperture priority mode the command dial changes the aperture, as you have deduced.

You are right - the body does not recognise the aperture at all if you adjust the aperture ring manually. The manual makes this clear.
Yes, it is a little disappointing, but at least the finger (and thumb on the *ist-D) dials are very sensible.

I suppose it just makes life a little more confusing when switching between film and digital.

Matt

The Pentax digitals have the "crippled" KAF mount, the mechanical link to sense the apeture setting of the lens is missing. This is a really stupid omission, it would add mabe a couple of US dollars to the cost of the camera, but Pentax thought they could slip it by and make us all buy lenses later than K or M.

Well the hue and cry from the public quickly disuaded them from that! The firmware update to the *st D allows the use of K or M lenses, some of which are unsurpassed.

I don't like a lens without an apeture ring. I may want to use it on my MX cameras, or even the old K1000 that's laying around here somewhere.

Pentax makes great equipement, and then makes really stupid marketing decisions. Go figure!

I'd have thought the DS or DA would have the full KAF mount, but they just don't get it.

Thus, lenses without apeture rings. Only usable on newer cameras, so what happens if your sooper-dooper electronic marvel dies, you have no more batteries, and you need to use an older manual camera? You're stuck!!

Just an interesting point regarding this issue...

The Z1, although it has the mechanical "finger" would only read from the electronic contacts. If the lens contacts couldn't be read (if they were dirty etc), it wouldn't report the aperture even when the lens had the mechanical parts.
That being the case, I find it puzzling that the *ist-D can't do the same.
Matt