michaelfarley

<p>The first step I would suggest would be cleaning the contacts in the lens mount. If that is not successful and everything else indicates that the D810 is working correctly, I would consider determining what it would cost to have the lens checked out and repaired. That said, you indicated "old and crappy" as traits of the lens which suggests that even if working, it would not be up to the capability of the D810 and a repair may not be cost effective. The best approach may be to sell/trade it (with full disclosure about its condition) for a lens more suited to your camera. </p>

<p>Please excuse me if this is a repeat of what I just posted but, it didn't look like it got sent. I have used Auto ISO with my D800e in situations where I wanted to have control over both shutter speed and aperture. It seems to work well. Last year on a photo safari to Africa, with the D800e and a Tamron 150-600 was the main experience. I wanted to use the lens stopped down a little bit and maintain a fairly high shutter speed to counter act the fact that I was shooting from a vehicle with others in it and with minimal support for the big lens. I used a monopod, vibration compensation turned on, auto ISO with a max of 3200, f8, and 1/1250 sec. and set the camera exposure mode at M. Exposure was adjusted by the floating ISO. There were situations when it was necessary to get out of that method of shooting but, overall, I was very pleased with the result.</p>

<p>I own one of the early (1932) uncoated, coupled f4.5 Elmars. I did a little lens test many years ago and I was startled by how contrasty and sharp it was. You should expect newer designs to be improvements, however, at the time these lenses were produced, they were close to as good as you could get.<br> I have a couple Hektors, one wartime and one in a short focus mount. I have not shot them.</p>