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Why is aperture backwards??

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  • Why is aperture backwards??

    So, I get that larger f numbers like f/22 actually mean that it's a smaller opening and that smaller f number like f/2 is a big opening. I learned that thanks to a really helpful beginner video I just watched - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpdxMUWF0k0. But my question is this...WHY is the size of the aperture backwards from the numbers. Shouldn't f/22 be a big aperture since it's a big number and f/2 should be a small aperture since it's a small number???

  • #2
    Originally posted by RobertCarter56 View Post
    So, I get that larger f numbers like f/22 actually mean that it's a smaller opening and that smaller f number like f/2 is a big opening. I learned that thanks to a really helpful beginner video I just watched - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpdxMUWF0k0. But my question is this...WHY is the size of the aperture backwards from the numbers. Shouldn't f/22 be a big aperture since it's a big number and f/2 should be a small aperture since it's a small number???
    It's the ratio of the aperture size to the focal length of the lens, so it's not 'backwards'. An aperture set at f/22 has its diameter 22x smaller than its focal length.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by RobertCarter56 View Post
      So, I get that larger f numbers like f/22 actually mean that it's a smaller opening and that smaller f number like f/2 is a big opening. I learned that thanks to a really helpful beginner video I just watched - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpdxMUWF0k0. But my question is this...WHY is the size of the aperture backwards from the numbers. Shouldn't f/22 be a big aperture since it's a big number and f/2 should be a small aperture since it's a small number???
      Aperture number is a Fraction and not a whole number and Bigger the denominator in the fraction, smaller the number and vice versa.. Simpler way to put it I guess?...

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      • #4
        Originally posted by Aproop View Post

        Aperture number is a Fraction and not a whole number and Bigger the denominator in the fraction, smaller the number and vice versa.. Simpler way to put it I guess?...
        Thats perfect! That is simply why we write f/22 or 1:22, Both "/" and ":" are used to determine the division operation.



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