This is correct. I have a MZ-5n and I understand it is normal behavior. It would theoretically be possible for the body to compute the aperture based on the stop down coupler and the A contacts (which give max/min aperture info). However, I believe this is not done because the stop down coupler only links into the metering system and not to the viewfinder. Also, top cameras of the day (mx, lx, kx and k2 before them) had an optical system to show the aperture in the viewfiner (as long as you aren't shooting at night).
-Scott On Mon, 2004-06-14 at 22:09, Nenad Djurdjevic wrote: > William Robb wrote: > > When the lens is off A, the electrical contacts are disabled, and the > > lens has no electrical communication at all with the camera. > > It's not just AF cameras. The Super Program is the same way. > > Having switched to digital and no longer having any film camera bodies I > can't check this - but I could have sworn that F and FA lenses on an AF body > gave an aperture readout on the camera at all times (but A lenses didn't). >
