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Photography vocabulary · Exposure

F-stop

Meaning in photography, with examples

/ˈef stɑːp/nounCore term

In photography, f-stop means: A number such as f/2.8 or f/11 that describes the size of the lens opening. It is the focal length divided by the opening's diameter, so a smaller number means a wider opening.

In Turkish: f değeri, diyafram değeri, f-stop

How it is used

Photographers use f-stop and f-number almost interchangeably. Full stops run f/1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, and each step halves the light. You say “shoot at f/4” and talk about the f-stop where a lens is sharpest.

Example sentences

  1. What f-stop did you use for this shot? The background is beautifully soft.

  2. Most lenses are sharpest two or three f-stops down from their widest setting.

Common collocations

  • choose an f-stop
  • a lower f-stop
  • a higher f-stop
  • full f-stop
  • apertureThe adjustable opening inside a lens that lets light through. A wider opening lets in more light and gives a shallower depth of field.
  • stopA unit for changes in exposure. One stop more doubles the light and one stop less halves it, whether you change the aperture, shutter speed or ISO.
  • depth of fieldThe area in front of and behind the point of focus that still looks acceptably sharp. It can be shallow, with a blurry background, or deep, with almost everything sharp.
  • exposureThe amount of light that reaches the camera's sensor or film when you take a picture; it decides how bright or dark the final image looks.

More terms: Exposure

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