F-Stops and Aperture?

United States
March 28, 2008 6:21am CST
I am an amatur photographer. I recenty bought this wonderful digital camera. Its set up to where I can change the F-stops and Aperture. What exactly are F-stops and Aperture? What do they do? Any help would be wonderful, thanks.
3 people like this
6 responses
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
29 Mar 08
After reading the comments and following the links you should have some understanding. My suggestion is now go out and play with your camera. Find a nice sight that begs to be photographed and try different F stops and Aperture and combinations. Keep a note book and write down the what you did on each shot. Don't forget to take the first photo on full Auto. Then go back and compair the different photos and see what you like and don't like. Most of all HAVE FUN
1 person likes this
@trickiwoo (2702)
• United States
29 Mar 08
Like the others said, it is how wide the lens opens. Adjusting the shutter speed will change the length the lens stays open for. One thing adjusting the f-stop will do is determine the Depth Of Field. For example, when shooting landscapes you will want to use a very large f-stop for a very deep DOF so that all of the image is in focus. On the other hand, when shooting flowers close-up, you'll want to use a lower f-stop so that flowers are in focus and the background is blurred so that a more shallow DOF will isolate the flowers and the background won't be distracting.
• United States
28 Mar 08
Like what was said before, they represent the size of the opening of the lens. Generally, in low light you want a wider aperture and in higher light a smaller one. But, that is not always the case and it often takes practice to know what f-stops to use in what situation as it also affects depths of field. If you aren't used to using manual settings, I suggest using the light meter already on the camera to practice using different settings.
• United States
28 Mar 08
The F-Stop is the size of Window on your camera lens. Its like changing it from a dime to a quarter. If you want to take apicture of a small object or scene then you use a lower F setting. A large picture ir scene you would use a large F-stop lile F-8. Usually just keep it set at f-7 or 8 and things will be fine. Other adjustmens is the speed of your shutter. About 1/20 is normal. If you want more light make it a higher number number. If its really dark you want to slow dow the sutter speed. The higher longer it takes the shutter to stop, the more steady hand you have to have or use a tripod. The other setting should be your film speed. Kep it at 400 most itmes andthings wil be fine. If it is bright and the obbjests or still then lower camera speeds (80, 200) will work.
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
28 Mar 08
Here's the site that kind'a gets what your asking for.. http://www.photosecrets.com/tips.p09.html Good luck!
@gojo23 (18)
28 Mar 08
you may like to read: http://www.uscoles.com/fstop.htm
1 person likes this