Aperture priority not working...HELP!!

Have you tried to see if you camera is running the latest firmware? If its not update it.

Could you confirm that this is a G lens (without an aperture ring)? If so, try cleaning the electrical contacts on the back of the lens and in the lens mount on the camera.

Lens mount Nikon F mount (with AF coupling & AF contacts)

Lens compatibility • D-type / G-type AF Nikkor (except IX-Nikkor): Autofocus and all functions possible
• PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D: Usable in Manual exposure mode
• AF Nikkor other than D-type (except AF Nikkor for F3AF): All functions except 3D Matrix Metering possible
• AI-P Nikkor: All functions except 3D Matrix Metering and autofocus possible
• IX-Nikkor: Cannot be used
• Non-CPU: Usable in Manual exposure mode (exposure meter cannot be used)
Electronic Rangefinder usable with lens with maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.

You need to turn the aperture ring to its smallest aperture (f/22) and lock it using the little orange slide. Control the aperture from the camera, just as you do with the kit lens.

The D60 camera sets and triggers the aperture that you have selected (or the camera has selected if in auto mode) and sets the aperture as you take the picture. Moving the aperture ring on the lens will not work, in fact once you move it from the f22 position the camera will stop or possible show and error. on my older Nikon AF lenses there is a small lock to lock the aperture ring in the lowest position when mounted on a digital camera, it is found near the f2.8 side of the aperture ring. when you want to set the apertures manually, you put the camera in aperture or manual mode and set the aperture you want by moving the the rotating wheel on the grip part of the camera. the aperture you select will show in the window, you do not have to move the ring on the lens,it must remain the f22(highest numerical) position.

Thanks for the additional info.

First, an apology: I misread the lens description, sorry. If you have the "AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 ED Nikkor" then the lens DOES have an aperture ring at the rear of the lens. If this is the case, then your D50 is compatible and all you need to do is turn the aperture ring on the lens until it's at the minimum f32 setting. The "FEE" message on your D50 should then vanish. When set this way, you control the aperture setting on the lens via the camera body controls. The command wheel alone adjusts the aperture when in Aperture Priority mode, and in Manual or Shutter Priority modes you need to first press the " /-" button behind and to the right of the shutter release before using the command wheel. There's even a handy little printed icon of a lens diaphragm to remind you of the secondary function of this button.

If your lens model is the "Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G" then like a G lenses it lacks an aperture ring and so can only be controlled by Nikon bodies which operate the aperture from the body alone, like yours. So if you're getting the FEE error with a G lens then there's most likely a common fault which occurs with Nikon bodies with a small switch beside the lens mount. In the picture (courtesy and copyright of Digital Photography Review), the switch is at the 8 o'clock position.


This switch is activated either when a non-G lens aperture ring is turned to the smallest setting or when a G lens is correctly mounted. It is possible for the G lens to be damaged in such a way that the switch doesn't get activated but it's rare. If the switch is broken the camera body will need a repair.

Hope this answers your question, but if not add further comments. If it has answered your problem then please let me know by rating my reply.

In all but aperture priority mode and manual modes you must set this lens to it's minimum aperture setting (i.e. highest number) to allow the camera body to fully control the aperture for you.

You'll also get this problem when using certain Nikon bodies which rely solely on electronic communication of the lens settings to the camera body (e.g. Nikon F75) as they lack the ability to read the mechanical linkages on the rear of the lens.

The blinking f usually means you are in program or aperture priority mode and the f-stop ring has been unlocked and moved from it's maximum aperture or the lens contacts are dirty and not making a good connection.

release the lens at smallest aperture then reattach....

Here is Nikon's specs of lens compatibility for the D40X:


Compatible Lenses*: Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts Type G or D AF Nikkor:
1) AF-S, AF-I: All functions supported;
2) Other Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus
3) PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D: Can only be used in mode M; all other functions supported except autofocus
4) Other AF Nikkor*â¹/AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
5) Non-CPU: Can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster
6) IX Nikkor lenses cannot be used
*â¹ Excluding lenses for F3AF

They do not recommend 3rd party lenses, ever