Aperture

The Aperture

On a camera the aperture determines the amount of light the camera lets in. In most modern cameras this is accomplished by an iris that open and closes in the lens. The most common apertures are 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32. The larger the number the less light is admitted into the camera. The speed of the lens is measured by the smallest aperture number. A very fast lens would be 2.8 or even 1.4. Most consumer zoom lenses are around 4 to 5.6. So, how can you use the aperture to improve you photography.