I got an AE-1P from a shop, that came with a 50mm 1.8 lens. Which for some reason, has the words "Canon" blacked out with something like nail polish. I can see the indentation underneath so I'm sure it says Canon. It has the big, chrome breech mount, with markings from 1.8 to 16, and a green dot instead of an "A."

Also, when it's on auto and the meter calls for f/22, the display doesn't give me an out of range warning. Is it really stopping down to 22, even though it isn't marked?

-- Kevin Smith (photonet@ksmix.com), August 31, 2001

Answers

The lens will not stop down past f/16 as that is as far as the diaphragm mechanism will go. I believe that a warning was given only when the maximum aperture was exceeded.

I've seen a couple of lenses and bodies that had 'Canon' blacked out. I'd like to think it's done for the same reason that the Leica red dot is covered up - to make it less of a target for thieves. But it's more'n likely an inferiority complex. :o)

Cheers,

Duane

-- Duane k (dkucheran@creo.com), August 31, 2001.

Well, my experience is that if the cmaera doesn't say out of range, then the lens is delivering whatever is indicated. This is with an A- 1, but it does occur even with apertures that 'on paper' the lens doesn't deliver. Can't swear to have done it with a standard lens, as don't often use one, but worth taking pix and seeing what the results tell you!

Cheers JIM

-- Jim Cross (iamacamera@hotmail.com), August 31, 2001.

Kevin,

I believe Duane is right. An AE-1P will not warn you if it wants f/22 but your lens only delivers f/16. It will set shutter speed for f/22 and your image will be one step overexposed.

-- Alan Swartz (swartz@tyler.net), August 31, 2001.

Kevin, The manufacturers name being blacked out ususally indicates the product was bought overseas then brought into the United States. I believe this was done to avoid paying import duties. I have two pieces of equipment, purchases second hand that have the Canon name blacked out.

Bill

-- Bill Salati (wsalati@hotmail.com), September 02, 2001.