D80 and preset lens

klausman

New member
I purchased a Bower 500mm preset telephoto lens. I have been unsuccessful in using it. I cannot get the aperture setting to work, so I am unable to view through this lens. What am I doing wrong? Thank you in advance for your help on this.:)
 

nickt

Senior Member
T-mount lens, right? Is camera in manual mode and focus switch set to manual? I'm not familiar with the lens, but I think those two things need to be set on the camera for a lens with no communication to work. I'm not sure what you mean by 'unable to view through...' If the lens mounts you should be able to view through it. It will be darker though through the viewfinder, because it's a fixed aperture.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
It may need opening to maximum aperture (smallest number) for viewing then closing down for taking the picture,never used one on a modern camera though.

mike
 

nickt

Senior Member
It may need opening to maximum aperture (smallest number) for viewing then closing down for taking the picture,never used one on a modern camera though.

mike
You may be right. I assumed it was fixed aperture, but I just looked up the lens, it looks like the lens can be stopped down from f8, the maximum. That would make it even darker. So that info to adjust the diaphragm should be in the lens documentation.
From a description I found:
"The Bower 500mm f/8 Manual Focus Lens is a classic refractor-style T-mount lens, with an aperture diaphragm in the middle of the lens body to stop down the aperture when necessary. However, it is assumed that much of the shooting with such a lens will be at its maximum f/8.0 aperture, with a tripod, monopod, or other such support."
 

klausman

New member
Yes, it is a T mount lens. After reading the comments, I tried the lens again. I found that I was actually following the instructions correctly, but could not see the results of my shots because of lighting issues. I then waited for a brighter lit day and that worked. It def requires the aperture setting to be at maximum or the shots are dark. Bottom line, this lens has a very limited use maybe for bird watching in Florida, lol. Live and learn. Next time I'll come in here before I buy. I appreciate all the effort the five of you put into answering my question. Take care:chuncky:
 

nickt

Senior Member
Yeh, its not a 'walking around' lens. More of a lens for the tripod. You should be able to get brighter normal looking shots with longer exposure time. Just lower your shutter speed until you get it right. Picture quality might be better stopped down some and of course even longer shutter speed to go with stopping down.
 

klausman

New member
It will take some getting used to, but I'm retired and have time, LOL. Thanks again to all who took time to help me on this, I appreciate that a lot.
 
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