The aperture ring can be locked in and set by the camera through menus and command wheels, but I started on the Nikon F and I am used to doing it the old fashioned way.
The D model is as advanced as the G model and has auto focus, but since I have manual cameras, I like and use the aperture ring.
... The salesman at the shop, however, told me that although I could still use the D lenses on the D300s, it would not be functional and the aperture would essentially be locked wide open. At least that's what I remember him saying...so I'm hoping to get some confirmation that what he said (or what I heard) was incorrect.
That is absolutely NOT true. All Nikon F mount lenses (or almost) will give you the opportunity to focus with the lens wide open and will close down to the desired aperture as you take the shot. There must be something else he meant. I have D lenses and they all work very well with the D90, D7000 and D700.
I'm sure that I'll figure everything out once I have it in my hands, but just for curiosity's sake...does the body have to be set to aperture priority or manual in order to use the aperture ring? Also, is there an auto setting on the aperture ring? My wife won't touch any of my cameras unless it has full auto.
That is absolutely NOT true. All Nikon F mount lenses (or almost) will give you the opportunity to focus with the lens wide open and will close down to the desired aperture as you take the shot. There must be something else he meant. I have D lenses and they all work very well with the D90, D7000 and D700.
For Nikon D lenses, if you are using a Digital SLR, keep the aperture ring locked at f22. If you move the aperture ring, it will give you an error. If you want to adjust the aperture, use the camera command dial to lower or increase the aperture.
You have it right. Aperture works but is changed with the front dial unless modified.
he just didn't know what he was talking about.