What the F-Stop!!! Part I: Aperture

I am finally diving into one of the more complicated parts of photography the F-STOP!!! My whole goal is not to over complicate the situation and to get you up and running ASAP.  Remember I am REALLY SIMPLIFYING THINGS.

So lets start with math, in specific, fractions!

The only thing we need to do is to learn how to multiply and divide a fraction by 2.

Here's my waffle:

I am going to share it so I cut it into two peices:

I have two halves of my waffle and I want to divide them by 2. If I did I  would end up with 4 pieces or fourth pieces (1/4) of my waffle (1 half of my half) . This is great because now I can share it with 4 people!

 1/2 divided by 2 = 1/4

Since dividing fractions is just like multiplying to make it a little simpler. If I need a half of my 1/4 I would end up with 1/8 of a pieces.

Quick cheat: Multiply denominator by two


If I were to continue it would go as follows:

1/16, 32, 64, 128 ,256.

Now the opposite: If I wanted to increase my pieces by 2 then I would multiply.

So if I had an 1/8 x 2 = 2/8 or 1/4

If I then decided to do it again my 1/4 x 2= 2/4 or 1/2 (right back to the beginning)

Quick cheat: divide the dominator by two.

The same would happen if we were multiplying and dividing by 3's. Heres a quick example but all we are concerned about to day is 2's !

What if I were to decrease by 3 then: 1/2 / 3 = 1/6
What if I were to  increase by 3 then: 1/6 x 3 = 1/2

THATS IT WITH THE MATH LETS MOVE ON TO PHOTOGRAPHY!!!

If you have ever been around photographers or watched a you tube video they always talk about adjusting by "stops" or how lenses offers you "stops" (image stabilization and aperture) . When I first was interested in photography I would talk to a guy, and he would be bombarded with his "stops" talk. I understood  .01% of what he was talking about most of the time we talked . However, I still listened because I knew one day I would understand.

"STOPS" EXPLAINED(only full stops):

Just understand this, if you go up or down by 2 you are moving 1 Full Stop. That's it! Up and down changes in respect to what we are talking about but I'll explain in future post!


If you must know the technical side of things CLICK HERE!!

Here is a list of how full stops relates to different camera settings(aperture, shutter speed, and ISO)

Aperture (Lens) 

1.4 - 2.8 - 5.6 - 11- 22
1 - 2 - 4- 8- 16

Normally seen: 1 - 1.4 - 2 - 2.8 - 4 - 5.6 - 8 - 11 - 16 - 22 

Shutter speed (Camera Shutter) 

1/2 - 1/4 - 1/8 - 1/16 - 1/32 - 1/64 (<---look familiar)

ISO (Sensor/Film) 

3200 - 1600 - 800 - 400 - 200- 100 - 50

The numbers listed above are from brightest to darkest setting. We will go into this later.  But enough with the talking lets test it out.

Aperture 

We will just be working on Aperture. Aperture is determined by your lens. Normal kit lenses come with an max aperture setting of f5.6 or lower.  Lower?  In the camera world the bigger aperture number is the lower and slower the lens is.  They are usually not good for low light settings. If you look at the professional series for your camera lenses,  they start at f/4 and go to f/1.2.  The are also called "faster " because they allow more light into the camera which uses a faster shutter speed. These lenses are great in low light situations, but have two draw backs. Do you know what they are?  Below is the difference between f/2.8 and f/1.8.

Picture can be found here

TERMS TO LEARN (Aperture) 

-Stop down: from high to low aperture or large(f2.8) to small (f5.6)
-Stop up: Just the opposite

PRACTICE FOR THE WEEK

For the next week or so play around with this setting, and tell me what you find out!

The Setup:

1) Put your camera in AV mode aka aperture priority! (LEAVE IT THERE FOR THE WEEK)
2) Set your ISO to AUTO ( for now)
3) Start shooting. Go outside, inside, shoot at night, or anything else that tickles your fancy.
4) Be sure to say out loud what you are doing. if you are are f5.6 and go to f/11 say out loud, "I'm going up a full stop of light"
5) Repeat this to yourself and write it down so you under stand whats happening

Questions to ask yourself?

What is happening to my background as I change stops?
What is happening to the foreground?
How does you camera sound when you take a shot?  Slow or Fast?
How has my ISO or Shutter speed changed when I take each shot?
Are any pictures blurry or grainy?

Here are all my practice shots below:

f/1.4


f/2.8



f/5.6



f/11

MY PEFERED WAY TO BUY PHOTO GEAR ( Part II: Craiglsit)

CRAIGSLIST

I saved this post for last because this is my favorite way to get great deals! If you take your time, and use some of my strategies (they aren't profound) you can get stuff for a lot cheaper. I am not responsible for any harm or danger that is cause by my opinion and use everything at your discretion! 

Lets get started:

1- Find a deal within you price range. 

I usually try to search something that is roughly 20% above your price range. So, Im looking to spend about $200 on a 50mm f/1.4.  20% above my price range would be  $240-$250 So my options are Logan or Chicago, if I want to stay within my range. 

I also look at those to good to be true post as well. Sometimes you might get a great deal. ALWAYS STAY AWAY from those "email me at :  B R E N D A 4  &  @ G M A I L . C O M"   They are usually a scam and waste of time. 

2: Examine

I generally just try to look at the pictures. Since the Chicago post had none, I went with the Logan Square option. 

His/Her picture looks great and equipment looks clean. The next step would be to contact them and set up a meeting.

3: Setting Up the Meeting (most important) 

This is where the savings actually start.  Never name you actual price. Heck don't say a price at all. Tell the seller you want to see the product in person, you will be bringing cash., And express how motivated you are to buy the item asap.  If they ask price, and  pushing you  to name price, tell them you can't without seeing the item. (Also, this is a sign of how they might be in public) 

If you do all the negotiating before you see the item its harder to get a lower price once in person. The other option is you name this low price and they instantly accept. Ex: On an 270 item, you offer 200, they instantly say yes. Who says you couldn't have offered $180 and they'd have accepted!!! 

So leave the money out of the equation until necessary. 

Always pick somewhere safe with a lot of people. A restaurant, police station, or library for example. Never do a deal in a parking lot or at someone's house! Always try to do deals in the daytime. This way you can see who you are interacting with

Lets not forget to be honest, courteous, and on time! 

4: The meeting

On the day/time of the meeting take the amount of cash you want to spend. I personally take $20 dollar bills (you'll see why later). Leave all other forms of money/payment in the car or home.  After the introductions,  make sure you throughly examine what you are buying. I like to use the list that is provided here for all my camera purchases.  Its also useful for when you are trying to buy your own camera gear.  EXAMINE, EXAMINE, EXAMINE!!! Make sure everything seem right and if it doesn't walk! At this point you don't even have to bring up money. You can walk away with no harm or foul. 

5: Your Offer

If you've made it this far you like the product and you are ready to buy. This where I uses a little visual stimulation.

                     VS

I don't know what it is, but $200 worth of 20's alway gets a buyer better than 2, $100 bills.  You probably think I am crazy, but try it out!  Depending on condition I go in low.  My offer would be  $180, Why because it NEVER hurts to ask!!I f its a "no",  would go to $200 (my max). If they aren't having it reiterate to them its all you have (the truth) and show it to them ( he selling point). I take it a step further and count it in front of them. 

At that point most people cave in. Give them time to look at the money and think about it. It starts to look like this....

 

If the answers "no", go to the restroom (hide the money in a new pocket/shoe) then exit safely. I promise you that there will be a better deal  If its a L series lens for 50% off then BUY IT!!!!

6: Enjoy your new lens!!!

Nothing better than getting something new and saving a lot of money!!!! In the process you might meet someone is a great photographer and make a new friend!!! 

7: Other Info

They are other tips and tricks that I use to help me get the best deal. This is just the one that that anyone can use to save on Craigslist. One day I'll reveal all of my secrets!

As a warning I always advice against seeing a stranger in public. I alway let someone know I am going out, where the meeting is, time of meeting, length of time I expect to take, when I arrive, and when I leave. I know I take a lot of precautions but I only have one life to live! If you can always take someone with you! Setup a call during the meeting to make sure you are okay. Heck have a code word you must say! 

I am not responsible for any harm or danger that is cause by my opinion and use everything at your discretion! 

Thank you for reading

Comment below and tell us about your great finds/deals!!!!