If you are a beginner trying to step into the world of photography, then understanding F stops on a camera may be challenging. However, finding the settings and learning how to operate the same is not so tough if you know the basics. In this article, you will discover f-stop explained in terms of their operational process. Besides, there are a few other basic instructions that will help you in the long run website.
Table of Contents
F stops on a camera-what does it mean?
The F stops on a camera are sub-parts of the three sections that combine the photography exposure triangle. Moreover, the f-stops also refer to the command, which controls the opening size and the aperture setting. The opening size that you see also allows light to enter the camera.
Are F stops on a camera and aperture the same concepts?
Yes, the F stops on a camera refer to the aperture only. While the function is called aperture, the f-stop list has the commands that constantly control the camera’s aperture size. Technically, it is the setting that determines the amount of light that enters through a hole or opening and reaches the lens.
Of course, the larger the opening, the more light will come through it and vice versa. You can fix the setting of this using the F stops on a camera. Now, the number of the f stops on the camera is determined by the lens you are using.
The total f-stop numbers depend on the type of lens that you are using. Generally, the higher you go up on the f-stop scale, the opening starts contracting, and vice versa. The hole of the camera that we are discussing here is a collection of blades that function simultaneously.
They are the tools that create the opening to let light inside, ultimately reaching the camera lens. These blades are in an almost perfect circle that you can operate to shut or open at your convenience.
Why is it essential to understand how a camera functions?
Earlier, when the advanced cameras came into existence with their auto-mode options, it was challenging to understand the functioning. Many photographers could not wrap their heads around the fact that there was no manual control over the exposure features.
Soon, shutter speed, ISO camera, aperture, and more became jargons that only professional photographers use. There is no disadvantage of using an advanced camera with auto-mode options. However, learning the terms such as f stops on a camera, shutter speed, aperture, etc., are a little difficult.
Once you are aware of the vocabulary, you will also gain a lot of knowledge about camera capabilities and functions. For your information, the f stops shutter speed and ISO camera work as a team.
There are situations in which it becomes essential for you to know your camera settings. Otherwise, the camera cannot read the environment properly, resulting in the auto fixing of wrong settings.
Sunsets and sunrises are the best examples of such situations. Moreover, if you are keen to learn the tips to excel in silhouette photography, it is essential that you first learn about f stops on a camera. That is the best trick to ensure that you are getting only the most spectacular shots.
What is an exposure triangle?
According to the f stop scale, you can determine the amount of light that enters through the opening. Apart from the light touching the scale, there is one more aspect. The same setting will also help you to determine the final depth of the field. The f stop scale is a figurative calculation. The lowest can come down to f/1.4 or f/1.2, and the highest can reach up to f/22. The latter may go higher for some advanced cameras.
Note: a smaller f-stop like the f/1.4 or f/1.2 means a bigger opening, and vice versa.
An exposure triangle refers to the conjunction of the three primary elements. These are critical when it comes to obtaining the best exposure for your photographs.
- Aperture
- ISO
- Shutter speed
How to change the f stops on a camera?
If the last camera you were using was on a complete auto-mode earlier on, the settings were mostly pre-determined. Therefore, you did not have much to do in terms of field depth and the light input through the camera opening to reach the lens. Besides, there was no reason that you would think of any modifications too.
When a DSLR functions in the auto-mode, it is most likely that the device can analyze the ambiance and environment. As a result, you also get the best quality exposure due to the utilization of the exposure triangle, which is mentioned above.
However, now that you want to switch devices and shift from the pro-auto mode, it is time to experiment. Besides, shifting base to manual camera settings means now there is quite some scope for creativity. The manual camera mode is better when it comes to learning opportunities than automatic or semi-automatic settings.
Technology is the coolest solution for all your problems
The control buttons and models of every camera are different. Therefore, you will most likely not find the same options in the same place on all devices. The best way is to go through the camera manual thoroughly. Only then will you be able to identify the basic aperture control settings. The manual is the small booklet that you will find inside the package in which the camera is when you purchase it.
Nowadays, technology is a solution to most of your issues, and learning camera settings is no exception. If you find yourself clueless turning pages of the booklet, there is a better and more practical idea. Log in to YouTube and search for a tutorial by specifying the model name of your camera.
That’s it, and you will get a long list of tutorials, from which you must choose one at a time. As a result, the learning process becomes more interesting. Moreover, seeing how things are done helps us pick up items quicker than reading them independently. Last but not least, following a YouTube tutorial means that you don’t have to wait for anyone to teach you everything.
What are the basic steps to follow when you want to alter the f-stop on your camera?
Changing f-stop on a Canon:
- Switch on the ‘manual mode’ on the camera
- You can also switch on to the AV (aperture priority mode) or the P (automatic program mode)
- Find the AV option that is most likely to be there on the top-right hand corner of the display
- Now you adjust the f-stop scale using the sliding option, which is there beside the shutter button on top.
Changing f-stop on a Nikon:
- Switch on your camera to the P (Program) mode. Then start depressing the shutter clip till you finally see the activated meter.
- Start turning the sub-dial left or right based on the setting that is more convenient for you at the moment. At this point, it will become clear that as you move the f-stop figure to the left, the wider the aperture will become. On the other hand, sliding it towards the right means a smaller aperture.
Changing f-stop on a Sony camera:
- Switch on your camera to the M (Manual) mode. Then start depressing the shutter release clip till you finally see the activated meter.
- Start turning the sub-dial left or right based on the setting that is more convenient for you at the moment. At this point, it will become clear that as you move the f-stop figure to the left, the wider the aperture will become. On the other hand, sliding it towards the right means a smaller aperture.
When is it time to change the f-stop of your gadget?
In focus background vs. blurred background
It will become very easy for you to set up the background mood once you know how you can modify the depth of the field. The same aspect will help you determine whether you want a focused background or a blurry one. All of the differences will majorly influence the warmth, feeling, and mood of the photographs.
If your camera is functioning at the automatic mode, the gadget will consider every possible parameter. The camera will not take into account your intentions. Instead, it will automatically choose what will derive the best only outcome.
Therefore, as a photographer, you must instruct the camera regarding the outcome you expect. Moreover, you are the one who has to decide the type of background that will go best with the photograph. We call gaining control over the creative features that will undoubtedly make your pictures look a lot more professional.
F stops on a camera affect the camera’s field depth: How?
The field depth of a camera is the most primary aspect you can control using the f stops. At times, you may want the field depth to be shallow and the total focus to be on the subject only. For example, if your desired outcome is a beautiful picture with a dreamy effect and lots of bokeh silhouette in the background, a large aperture looks perfect for fetching you the same. However, the lens that you are using will finally determine the quality parameters of the outcome.
Usually, a wider lens is costlier compared to the smaller ones. Still, you must try to go for the ones with the widest stops to fit your budget. It will help you to stay more creative to bring out the best outcome from all your projects. On the other hand, there are lenses with an f/1.4 or f/1.2 aperture that offer a shallower field depth despite being very expensive.
What are the basic types of camera lenses?
If you want to check out the market well, learning the knick-knacks is important. For example, do you know how many types of primary lenses exist? Well, there are two basic ones- the zoom lenses and the prime lenses. At the same time, the zoom lenses are capable of functioning with various focal lengths. The excellent variety often offers only a very shallow field depth.
A lot of professional photographers often tend to misunderstand the term ‘focal length’ in a camera. It is the figure in mm (millimeters) that you will find on the lens.
It surely does not mean that the camera lens focal length is also the physical dimension of the same. Besides, the focal length, in this case, is hardly associated with the gadget’s size overall.
Note: if you go for smaller f-stops on the camera lenses, the field depth will be shallow. As a result, you will get perfect results when looking for photographs with a dreamy, bokeh effect.
What are the best f-stops that you must use in different situations?
Portraits
If you are looking for the best portraits, you should try setting the aperture to anything between f/4 and f/2. However, anything below f/2, in this case, will spoil the effect. For example, focusing on the eyes may mean that you are blurring out the nose instead.
Some lenses are available already with a capacity of f/1.4 or f/1.2. However, it would be best if you were extra cautious while using such a wide aperture. The same goes for food photography too.
Groups
Of course, clicking pictures of a group requires using the widest aperture that you see in the previous point. Otherwise, you may end up having a few group members blurred out and out of focus. Moreover, suggesting them to line up in an alignment is also very important for a photographer to click the best picture. In this case, an f/4 or f/2 looks perfect for fetching the desirable outcome.
Landscape
Whenever you are photographing a landscape, it is preferable to go for a smaller aperture. This means the slider should go towards a higher number to click-in the maximum of the scenery. Higher figures such as f/22 or f/8 look good in such cases.
Final thoughts
This article is like a basic guide for all beginner photographers who want to learn the tricks. Keeping in mind, the information will help you become better in the long-run.
