In a message dated 11/24/2002 5:41:56 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> F-stops aren't difficult to understand. It's the ratio of the aperture opening to >the focal length of the lens. 50mm lens with a 25mm aperture > is f 2.0. It's a mathematical equation, and makes perfect sense as a way to >calculate the aperture opening on any given focal length lens. > > If that isn't taught in the very first class of a photography course, something's >wrong. > > Even if one doesn't know or isn't taught that, as long as you know that bigger >number is smaller opening, and vice-versa, it all makes sense. > Since (it seems to me) exposure and focus are the two most important things that one >needs to know about the physical use of a camera, it's > pretty basic, and shouldn't be a big deal. > > The current f-stop designations have been around as long as lenses have been put on >boxes to take photographs. No need to change the standards > now, imho. T'would only lead to more confusion, methinks. > > cheers, > frank Thanks for the explanation. I do understand the basic concept, although I am lousy at math. I was being tongue-in-cheek, as I think Bob was. However, I bet someday that digital cameras (digital SLR equivalents) will not follow the conventions of current cameras, such as fstops, etc. Actually there is absolutely no reason for them to. It's a different medium. The only reason they do now is to reduce the learning curve for those familiar with film cameras. So I really am willing to bet that in 5-15 years digital cameras have their own conventions, new ones. > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > In a message dated 11/24/2002 4:54:23 PM Eastern Standard Time, >[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > > > > And while they're at it, why don't they get rid of those stupid f > > > numbers? Bigger opening, bigger number. Half the size? Half > > > the > > > number! > > > > > > --- > > > > > > Bob > > > > Now this actually makes sense. Be much easier for us camera novices. Hehehe. > > > > Doe aka Marnie (Who is still figuring out that f22 is "stopping down", while f3.5 >is "stopping up" -- at least she > think's that's right.) :-)
