My lens is dim

[KmH]

Would there be a way to reset ALL of the options -- back to factory settings?

Yes, there is. RTFM (Read The Furnished Manual) Page 78.

All Nikon lenses have a mechanical connection to the camera body for controlling the aperture. That's why Nikon lenses cloase the aperture when removed from the body. The aperture blades can be opened and closed by hand by manipulating the aperture actuator lever on the lens mount.

The following image is from from Wikimedia Commons and has a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 genreric use license - You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credit its author, Marie-Lan Nguyen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Micro-Nikkor_AFS_VR_105_mm_lens_bayonet.jpg

 

[PJL]

Would there be a way to reset ALL of the options -- back to factory settings?

Yes, there is. RTFM (Read The Furnished Manual) Page 78.

I think you replaced a word in that acronym...

 

[PASM]

Maybe it's just turned up again... Open the camera (does it rattle?)

You're lens cap is still on.

Very funny (/sacasm)

I lost my lens cap a while ago.

 

[jleampark]

Update:

I took the camera and lens to Ritz and explained what was going on. The gentleman looked at the two lens, tried to take a photo, etc.

Then, he found the aperture actuation lever on my shorter lens and showed me how it would open the aperture by pushing/moving it. Then, he took the longer lens and tried the same thing. The aperture actuation lever wouldn't move.

So, I called Adorama where I bought it. They said that it's still under their year warranty as a gray market purchase. I'm sending it in for a repair/replacement.

Thanks for all of your help!