Setting f-stop w/non-auto lens

[ramblinray]

I have a Meade 4" 1000mm OTA with an adapter that lets me use it as a manual focus lens. I use it on my Canon 20D. How do I set the camera to meter the shot for proper exposure? It is an f11 lens so the shutter speed will float to get proper exposure, but since it is not an electronically enabled lens, how do you set the camera up to work to meter proper exposures. Or is it a simple case of you just have to use a light meter to get the proper exposure? I know someone out there knows the answer, help a poor guy out.

[Spec A!]

What subjects are you going to shoot with it? You will need to set the meter to manual. I usually went by sunny 16 rule (shutter speed= 1/ISO at f16 in bright sunlight). Do you know what effective aperture it has?

Nice thing about having a DSLR is the instant feedback on exposure- I used to bracket like crazy with film! FWIW- typically shooting the moon I used to get great exposures at 1/125 at f8.

[johnastovall]

I shoot a manual Peleng fish eye and it's real simple in your case. Just set the camera to apeture priority and set the f stop on the body to 11 and shoot away. You won't even have to remember to stop down.

[ramblinray]

Thanks Stovall, the aperture priority thing worked. Just had to set the aperture before disconnecting a sync'd lens so I could see what the setting was. I also found that if you set the camera to manual, you can use the internal metering to set the proper exposure by setting the shutter speed while watching the exposure level indicator for midpoint. I guess it's true, there is more that one way to skin a cat.