Here's a new tip -- at least for me -- regarding buying A-mount lenses. If you have additional ones -- other than "Buy e-mount lenses instead", etc. -- please join in.
When an a-mount lens is not on the camera, it should be stopped down all the way. If you happen to have the lens in hand, this is easy to check out. It should also be easy to check the operation of the aperture-setting lever using your finger nail or pencil tip. You should be able to slide the lever all the way to the end closest to the electrical contacts -- and it should snap back, away from the contacts. If not, the aperture is "sticky" -- see the lens on the right.
But, if you are buying on-line, you won't have this option. Here is a way to check it out remotely. In the photo below are two lenses (both, the same). On the one on the left, the aperture-setting lever is in the correct position -- away from the electrical contacts. It is not all the way, because this lens only stops down to f16. A lens that stops down farther will have the lever farther to the left. On the right is a lens with the aperture-setting lever stuck in the open setting -- closest to the contacts.
When buying an a-mount lens on-line, if you are able to get a good picture of the lens mount, showing the position of the aperture-setting lever, you an easily determine if it is stuck.
When an a-mount lens is not on the camera, it should be stopped down all the way. If you happen to have the lens in hand, this is easy to check out. It should also be easy to check the operation of the aperture-setting lever using your finger nail or pencil tip. You should be able to slide the lever all the way to the end closest to the electrical contacts -- and it should snap back, away from the contacts. If not, the aperture is "sticky" -- see the lens on the right.
But, if you are buying on-line, you won't have this option. Here is a way to check it out remotely. In the photo below are two lenses (both, the same). On the one on the left, the aperture-setting lever is in the correct position -- away from the electrical contacts. It is not all the way, because this lens only stops down to f16. A lens that stops down farther will have the lever farther to the left. On the right is a lens with the aperture-setting lever stuck in the open setting -- closest to the contacts.
When buying an a-mount lens on-line, if you are able to get a good picture of the lens mount, showing the position of the aperture-setting lever, you an easily determine if it is stuck.
