f/"x" simply put means f-stop. An f-stop is defined as the doubling or halfing of any value, be it exposure/shutter speed, film speeds, or apertures.

In terms of aperture:

f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22, f/32 and higher in some cases.

so....

1/60 @ f/8 is the same exposure as 1/125 @ f/5.6 is the same as is the same as 1/500 @ f/4 What does the actual letter "f" stand for.... I'm not sure, but I think it may stand for "focal"... maybe someone more into the technical history of photography can correct me if I'm wrong....

Message edited on: 06/28/2004 16:11

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