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Photography F.A.Q (Last Updated: 2024 Nov 26 6:56 am)




Subject: The f word.

aangus opened this issue on Jun 28, 2004 · 5 posts
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aangus ( ) posted Mon, 28 June 2004 at 3:48 PM · edited Mon, 02 December 2024 at 4:29 AM

I'm showing my ignorance now, but does anyone know what the "f" stands for in relation to appature size? i.e f8?

Michelle A. ( ) posted Mon, 28 June 2004 at 4:10 PM · edited Mon, 28 June 2004 at 4:11 PM

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

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com

DHolman ( ) posted Mon, 28 June 2004 at 6:14 PM

'chelley 'chelle 'chelle 'chelle. :) Can you tell I missed you? hugz If I had to guess, I'd guess you were right about it standing for "focal". Since the f/stop, mathematically, is a ratio between the diameter of the aperture diaphram and the focal length of the lens. -=>Donald

sabretalon ( ) posted Tue, 29 June 2004 at 4:11 AM

some suggest that it stands for "finestra", the Italian word for window. The Italians are reportedly responsible for inventing the series of numbers we have come to know as f stops.

aangus ( ) posted Tue, 29 June 2004 at 12:54 PM

Interesting, many thanks.

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