What is your favorite f-stop in 35mm photography?

What is your favorite f-stop in 35mm photography?


  • Total voters
    410
It depends on focal length of the lens, the effect I'm trying to reach and also the particular lens.

For example my Jupiter-8 (50/2) and Jupiter-9 (85/2): f/2 in available darkness, 2.8 - 4 for portraits, 5.6 - 11 for street. I try to stop down at least one stop to improve contrast and sharpness. With CV 35/2.5 the only difference is that I don't have to stop down to improve quality so I can take portraits at 2.5.
 
I mostly shoot outdoors/landscape/things-that-don't-move-much and I'm usually looking for the most depth of field I can get when I'm on a tripod. Handheld, it's whatever aperture lets me get the shot at 1/30 or faster.
 
I said f5.6 as its a good "default" setting for street work ( ie its stopped down a couple of stops for better quality and depth of field but not so much as to unduly compromise shutter speed etc)

However in reality it depends on lighting, my need for shutter speed and my need for depth of field. Of course if its a portrait I will opt for a wider aperture in most cases so the image "pops." If its a landscape I will go for a smaller aperture (at least f8) to get the depth of field. But for general streetwork speed is needed and where a good compromise between DOF and shutter speed is also needed in situations where its necessary to preset the camera and zone focus f5.6 works in maybe 70% of cases.
 
Pherdinand said:
My fav f-stop is the one that allows for the most appropiate depth of field, and still allows for a proper shutter speed.
🙄

I am with you on this one, geeeezzzz.......
 
For me, it's f2.8 to isolate the subject or f8.0 to get the best balance between depth of field and diffraction.. I could live with just these two stops; 'all or nothing'
 
F/16. I find that I get the most DOF/sharpness this way.

BUT, with the 100mm zenzanon, wide open is the only way to go.

BUT, when shooting portraits, I am either wide open, or f/5.6, or f/8, or f/11...

you know...it really depends.

I voted for all of them.
 
I seem to use f5.6 a lot, when I can't its f2.8
I find f8 too restrictive (too much margin for
error on focusing as my eyesight is not as good
these days) and while I'd like to try more at f11
or f16 - the natural light or my film speed just
doesn't allow - with handheld shots.
Funny after saying all that, I voted for f4 - as some
of my best shots are acheived with f4 - though its
seldom used but gives me great latitude as I find I
really have to think harder when using f4.
But a good poll and interesting results so far.
 
What f-stop to use depends on several variables. If the light is cooperative, I like f/8 with a 35-50mm focal length to get a suitable DOF for landscapes. For other situations, whatever works is okay.

Richard
 
f4, but I hope that I'll try with 1.8 - 1.4 low light combo one day ... can someone post a photo with f:1.o - Am I right? - there are some people on RFF with Leica 5omm monster f:1 lenses ...
 
Depends on the focal length, small enough for decent DoF and big enough for fast shutter speed.
 
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