The difference between F2.0 and F8.0

People who are not savvy with their cameras, might wonder what the '' A' function in their digital camera does. That isn't the 'Action!' function, nor is it an 'Activate!' function to release some hidden powers within. It is simply the aperture function, where one adjusts the aperture and hence, the diaphragm within.

But what use is this mode anyway? Well though it changes the amount of light entering, that is not its sole purpose. We have exposure settings for that. Or flash. Or even shutter speed. The purpose of the aperture function is to change the size of area of focus of the pictures.

At most digital cameras, with the diaphragm thrown open at F2.2, the area of focus is narrowest and tightest. Likewise the opposite, F8.0, where the diapragm is very narrow, only a fraction of a centimetre wide, even less, the focus area is huge, even infinite.

Here's a picture of something taken at F2.0 to show you what I mean.



the first dice is focused, but the rest are blurred. This is a pretty comon and cheapskate effect that is achieved through the aperture function and impresses the pants of laymen pretty much.


Here's one taken at F8.0



With a smaller opening for light to enter, the picture is significantly darker, and the shutter has to be opened longer to compensate. Hence one needs a steady hand to do it, or it'll turn out blurry should the hand shake while the shutter is open momentarily. I held the camera shutter open at 5 seconds, if I were to remember correctly.

All the die are focused now.


Now all you imaginary audience are a step closer to achieving easily done camera effects to impress the pants off laymen.