Aperture

Aperture is measured using F-Stops. F-Stop numbers represent a fractional formula representation of the amount of light allowed to pass through the aperture. In simpler terms, F-Stop numbers get bigger as the aperture gets smaller, just like shutter speed numbers get bigger as the time the shutter is open gets smaller. Each increasing F-Stop number roughly represents a halving of the light reaching the film.

F-Stop Relationship to Light

• Big F-Stop Number = More Light Needed
  
• Little F-Stop Number = Less Light Needed
  

While there is actually a huge range of F-Stops (aperture sizes) possible, depending on your lens, there is a common ground middle range that most consumer lenses are capable of operating within.

Common F-Stop Values

• f/4
  
• f/5.6
  
• f/8
  
• f/11
  
• f16
  
• f22