Hi Rob, I'm struggling to find any documentation showing if this camera has it, the Sony A500 manual on the website doesnt seem to show an option on the published menu's. but looking on Dyxum.com for the camera spec's it's down as been able to use lenses without chips in the M (manual) mode of shooting. i would take a few minutes and look through the settings menu (menu button) of the camera and see if there is an option with something like 'release w/o lens' or something like that. I've just got a A500 which needs repairing so if i get it working anytime soon i'll have a play as i use a few manual m42 mount lenses on my Sony & Minolta Af camera's what lens have you got ? do you know which camera mount its for ? Hope that helps Mark,