What f stop do you use most often?

[Brian Atherton]

All of them, as and when needed. Depends on film speed, lighting, visual effect, DOF etc.

Prefer two or so stops from wide open (f4-f5.6).

Dislike going down to f11-16. But if needs must...

 

[Rodchenko]

I used to use smaller apertures, as I liked everything to be in focus, so f8 and upwards were most common.

Now, though, I often like to isolate the subject, so do sometimes use the lens wide open. That's anywhere between about f1.7 and f2.8 for primes and one zoom, and f4 or so for other zooms.

If I'm shooting street, I tend to work with the aperture somewhere around f5.6 as a starting point, and adjust from there. That gives me a decent depth of field to capture the subjects, without too much distraction.

 

[Hibbs]

I get told not to F-Stop when I hit the G-Spot.

I found the g-spot once and got sprayed in the face for my efforts.

~ hibbs

 

[Cyriljay]

I never shoot wide open unless it is necessary due to lack of light to balance the Shutter speed limit . Basically I am using between 5.6 -8F which gives me enough controls of my all shooting.

 

[Ronald M]

Can`t vote. 5.6 or 8 about even

 

[Rob-F]

I didn't vote because I usually use between f/4 to f/8 with 35mm, and didn't see that option to click. With the Hasselblad, I will go to f/11 or f/16 if I need to.

 

[Darthfeeble]

My range seems to transcend two choices, f5.6 to f11

 

[semilog]

4-5.6. That is where my favorite lens, the C-Biogon 35/2.8, is at its peak and renders most beautifully.

 

[besk]

11-16 with medium format.

 

[DougFord]

I use to like using a 35mm lens with a yellow filter, shooting in the mid day sun @ f4.

 

[zuiko85]

I use the one that conditions will permit or that gives me the dof that I want.

Usually those two constraints are not compatable.

 

[zauhar]

Usually f/8 or f/11 in daylight, f/2.8 - f/4 if using pushed film in low light.

I tend to use shutter speeds of 1/125 or slower.

Interesting question, looks like a majority on the thread could not or would not answer it.

Randy

 

[bsdunek]

F5.6
F5.6 That’s my favorite number,
I think about it every day,
And even when I slumber.

Some days the sun is out
and it’s very bright,
f16 is the right number,
Won’t let in too much light.

Other days are cloudy,
And really awfully dim,
That’s when I choose F2,
To let that light come in.

I always take all my numbers,
Where e’r I may roam.
Unfortunately, I found,
I left my film at home.

Nutz!

 

[rluka]

4-8 usually, or 11 when it's just too bright.
2.8-4 when it gets dim.

Seems like I use the lens wide open in mirrorless camera, and probably SLR if I have any.
But the lens are usually stopped down to 4 or 5.6 when using RF.

So I ask again why all the fuss about shooting wide open?

Object isolation is a generally pleasing effect ?

I personally choose stopping down partly because I often use lens wide open in mirrorless and want to try the different side.
The other part of the reason is like why photographers limit themselves to using one lens only. After seeing many pleasing pictures with those bokeh, won't you want to try getting something pleasing without it ? Or at least less of it (the bokeh)

 

[cosmonaut]

Most of my stuff is landscape so.....

 

[Roger Hicks]

Usually f/8 or f/11 in daylight, f/2.8 - f/4 if using pushed film in low light.

I tend to use shutter speeds of 1/125 or slower.

Interesting question, looks like a majority on the thread could not or would not answer it.

Randy

Dear Randy,

I am one of that majority. I seldom shoot at f/16, but f/11 is fine for d-o-f on on sunny days; f/5.6 or a little less is often useful; and so is f/1.5 or faster in poor light.The question struck me as next to meaningless.

Cheers,

R

 

[OurManInTangier]

I'm just pleased to have the choice. f11 when I need it down to 1.4 when I require it.

My biggest issue regarding aperture is the week of terrible photographs I take whenever I get a new lens that has a good reputation wide open. I can't seem to help myself for the first week until sense kicks in and I just get on with using it.

I do find it slightly odd that I will happily shoot widee open if I want the effect or need the extra speed but I never seem to stop a lens down beyond f11.

 

[John E Earley]

I use whatever I take with me.

 

[Rodchenko]

Choice is a wonderful thing.

I started photography when speed was the thing. My standard lens was f/1.8, and that was OK, but one should really aspire to faster and faster.

When I got my Minox, and shot so much with that, I became almost apologetic for the f/2.8 lens. Never mind that, with SLR or compact, I shot around f/8 or so, so the max speed was pretty irrelevant. Now, I feel that prejudice creeping in again as I value my f/1.7 G.Zuiko, and the f/1.9 on my Pen. It makes very little difference to my photography. Sometimes, I shoot wide open; often I don't. Sometimes I use extremes at each end; most often I'm somewhere in the middle. That doesn't mean I'm indifferent to the effects of different apertures, just that I make a variety of different images with my cameras, which dictate different settings.

Choice is a wonderful thing.