> Been reading through the archives, researching... What is an aperture
> simulator, anyway?
>
Since nobody has yet answered the question, I will attempt to do
so in a P.C. way:
Most agree that it's a topic of discussion best not pursued on
this list due to the prodigious amounts of arguments it incites. Put
simply, it is a part of the original K-mount lens system Pentax came up
with in 1975 that measures what the aperture of a manual lens is set to.
For any lenses newer than the original system (referred to as 'A' lenses
or later), this mechanical measurement coupling isn't necessary since the
camera body can control the lens aperture directly.
Starting with the last set of film bodies and all DSLR's Pentax
has made to date, they have made the decision to remove this mechanical
coupling. This is presumably a cost-saving measure, although the actual
cost saved per unit is widely speculated. The most rabid opponents of
this choice (myself included) are quick to point out that while it is
still possible to use the so-called "pre-A" lenses on these bodies sans
aperture simulators, there are a number of technical and ergonomic reasons
why using them without it is less than ideal.
(Psst!... how'd I do?)
-Cory
-
*************************************************************************
* Cory Papenfuss, Ph.D., PPSEL-IA *
* Electrical Engineering *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
*************************************************************************
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