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Using Small Apertures
I have seen a difference in centre sharpness between using some lenses at full aperture and stopping down to, say, f5.6 but how about small apertures? Between F11 and F22 I can't see any difference in a 10x 8 print. I am talking centre sharpness rather than depth of field. Is it just with very large prints that this is a worry? I suppose it is to do with refraction. I use 35mm and medium format.
thanks
Dave
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Ralph Gibson (early 35mm work) and Joel Meyrowitz (Cape Light) both used an aperture around 3mm. A little fuzzy for me, but certainly an 'artist intented' effect.
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Most if not all lens manufactures do not put apertures that show strong diffraction.
Warning!! Handling a Hasselblad can be harmful to your financial well being!
Nothing beats a great piece of glass!
I leave the digital work for the urologists and proctologists.
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Thanks for those replies. Diffraction is what I meant! Just curious if anyone had noticed this phenomenon.
Dave
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Because lens design is a compromise between several optical effects, lenses have an optimal resolution at only a single aperture. This information can be obtained from the maker. Resolution will fall off on either side of the optimal stop. The further you differ from this stop the poorer the resolution.
A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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 Originally Posted by Sirius Glass
Most if not all lens manufactures do not put apertures that show strong diffraction.
I think nearly every lens I own with an adjustable aperture will stop down to fuzz. Most notable, a 5mm Bolex lens with a minimum aperture of f22!
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The rule of thumb is that best resolution is two stops down from wide open. Consider, however, that on an f/1.4 50mm lens on a 35mm camera, your sharpest aperture would be f/2.8. If you go by the rule of thumb, you have a whole lot of stops left over that would give poorer quality images. Hogwash. Use the aperture you need to get the depth-of-field and exposure you need. Just be aware that f/16 or f/22 may give you the depth of focus you need at the expense of some sharpness in some circumstances.
I've really noticed diffraction effects only on extreme close-up photographs. A photographer in a studio I used to work in was having trouble getting a good, sharp image of an ornate ring. He was using an RZ67 with a macro lens stopped down as far as it would go, bellows racked way out. I suggested he open the aperture a stop or so to reduce diffraction and that did the trick. Use what you need to get what you want. Also, the more you enlarge an image, the more any defects, including diffraction effects, will show.
Peter Gomena
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Originally Posted by pgomena
The rule of thumb is that best resolution is two stops down from wide open. Consider, however, that on an f/1.4 50mm lens on a 35mm camera, your sharpest aperture would be f/2.8. If you go by the rule of thumb, you have a whole lot of stops left over that would give poorer quality images. Hogwash. Use the aperture you need to get the depth-of-field and exposure you need. Just be aware that f/16 or f/22 may give you the depth of focus you need at the expense of some sharpness in some circumstances.
I've really noticed diffraction effects only on extreme close-up photographs. A photographer in a studio I used to work in was having trouble getting a good, sharp image of an ornate ring. He was using an RZ67 with a macro lens stopped down as far as it would go, bellows racked way out. I suggested he open the aperture a stop or so to reduce diffraction and that did the trick. Use what you need to get what you want. Also, the more you enlarge an image, the more any defects, including diffraction effects, will show.
Peter Gomena
The minimum aperture for maximum DOF and low diffusion varies with the format.
35mm ~ f/11
120 ~ f/16
4x5 ~ f/22
This is a rule of thumb, YMMV as some lenses are better than others. You can use this as a starting point, test it if you want or ignore it. This is not an invitation to start a religious flame war. Please note the use of "~" before you start to blather.
Steve
Warning!! Handling a Hasselblad can be harmful to your financial well being!
Nothing beats a great piece of glass!
I leave the digital work for the urologists and proctologists.
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Originally Posted by Sirius Glass
The minimum aperture for maximum DOF and low diffusion varies with the format.
35mm ~ f/11
120 ~ f/16
4x5 ~ f/22
This is a rule of thumb, YMMV as some lenses are better than others. You can use this as a starting point, test it if you want or ignore it. This is not an invitation to start a religious flame war. Please note the use of "~" before you start to blather.
Steve
Agreement and simplification:
linear aperture around 4 to 5mm for all formats
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