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Home » Glossary » f-stop

f-stop

An f-stop is the ratio between the focal length of a lens and the diameter of the aperture.  Smaller numbers refer to a larger opening which lets in more light.  So an f/2.8 setting would have a larger opening and allow in more light than an f/22 setting. 

Smaller f-stop numbers, therefore bigger openings, will result in a smaller depth of field for the image.  This is often used to draw attention to the subject.   

Most lenses display an f-stop number on the lens.  This is the widest that particular lens will open.  Some zoom lenses show a range - eg: f/4.5-f/5.6.  This is the maximum opening on the short and long end of the zoom repspectively. 

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