camera's aperature range

[winterstar]

So, my first assignment was the shallow depth of field. And it got me thinking... with my next camera (besides at least 20 optical zoom) I want a better aperature range.

Which means, what range would you say is a usefull range?

If I got a DSLR, does that range change with lenses?

Thanks!

[candleman]

Originally Posted by winterstar

If I got a DSLR, does that range change with lenses?

!

heck yes,
the price increase will be pretty darn close to exponential as you get wider apertures too.

say for example the 18-135mm (f/3.5 - f/5.6) lens
at 18mm the widest you can go is f/3.5.. at 135mm the widest you can go is f/5.6

the expensive lenses have constant apertures over the entire focal range. like the infamous f/2.8 glass.

EG

a 50mm f/1.8 is $100
a 50mm f/1.4 is $200
only a part od a stop wider, but double the price.

an 18-135mm (f/3.5-5.6) will go for about US$400
a wider aperture lens with a pretty similar focal length..
70-200 (f/2.8 ~ constant) will go for US$1500 (guestimate head conversion from the NZ$ price i know)

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by winterstar

with my next camera (besides at least 20 optical zoom) I want a better aperature range.

You cant look at dSLRs as having a ZOOM range. the 20x business canon is touting on the SX1IS and SX10is is total rubbish in the slr world.

If youre looking at P&S cameras like the above mentionned, the bigger issue isnt the aperture, but the sensor. The SX10is has an aperture of f/2.8... but to scale thats something like f/5.6-f/8. You'll NEVER get shallow depth of field with an aperture that small.

The only way to truly get DoF control is to get a larger sensor, which automatically means a dSLR

[winterstar]

Originally Posted by candleman

heck yes,
the price increase will be pretty darn close to exponential as you get wider apertures too.

say for example the 18-135mm (f/3.5 - f/5.6) lens
at 18mm the widest you can go is f/3.5.. at 135mm the widest you can go is f/5.6

the expensive lenses have constant apertures over the entire focal range. like the infamous f/2.8 glass.

EG

a 50mm f/1.8 is $100
a 50mm f/1.4 is $200
only a part od a stop wider, but double the price.

an 18-135mm (f/3.5-5.6) will go for about US$400
a wider aperture lens with a pretty similar focal length..
70-200 (f/2.8 ~ constant) will go for US$1500 (guestimate head conversion from the NZ$ price i know)

ok. (now to research what photo's taken at f/2.8 look like. It would be awesome if someone showed me the same photo shot in various aperature settings. )

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

You cant look at dSLRs as having a ZOOM range. the 20x business canon is touting on the SX1IS and SX10is is total rubbish in the slr world.

If youre looking at P&S cameras like the above mentionned, the bigger issue isnt the aperture, but the sensor. The SX10is has an aperture of f/2.8... but to scale thats something like f/5.6-f/8. You'll NEVER get shallow depth of field with an aperture that small.

The only way to truly get DoF control is to get a larger sensor, which automatically means a dSLR

I read on the sensors being larger on DSLR's. I only mention optical zoom as I'm familiar with that with my camera. (while it's on auto mode or semi auto. Still haven't figured out the manual settings.)

I don't know if I agree with you'll never get a shallow depth of field on a P&S's smaller aperature. Tricky, not as shallow (blurry in the background) but possible. In fact, it was here that i read on using semi auto mode such as portrait to create a shallow depth of field.

[winterstar]

I do understand that DSLR is better if you know how to use it.

But, for the penny pinched, a $200 lense after a $800 plus camera isn't possible. Why not find a good middle ground P&S while saving?

Which is a reason I'd like to discuss what aperature ranges should I be looking for.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by winterstar

I do understand that DSLR is better if you know how to use it.

But, for the penny pinched, a $200 lense after a $800 plus camera isn't possible. Why not find a good middle ground P&S while saving?

Which is a reason I'd like to discuss what aperature ranges should I be looking for.

the aperture range will depend on what you want to shoot.
portraits.. you want wide open apertures.. very seldom use closed down apertures like f/11 or smaller.
landscape.. you generally want smaller apertures with use of a tripod.

its impossible to say without knowing what you want to "major" on

go for something like a Nikon P80 or Canon G10 (research it at least)
those are about the best "total packages" you'll currently get in one lump.

try
www.stevesdigicams.com
or
www.dpreview.com

both have good reviews