f2.5?

[PnJpan]

So I grabbed some books from the library about exposure and understaning digital photography in general. There is one question I still have... When I venture on my favorite photography blogs they all have there setting usually with f2.5 or somewhere close. Yet when I am looking at which DSLR to purchase the starting range is usually f2.8. What gives, am I missing something I would understand if I actually had the camera in hand??? Am I looking at the wrong type of cameras? Would I need a macro lense? I know this may sound dumb to someone but please help me.

 

[480sparky67 66]

Lenses can have (virtually) any number for a maximum f/stop. 2.8 is 'common' because it's considered a 'full' stop.

 

[Scatterbrained]

f/2.5 is 1/3 stop faster than f/2.8. Most fast primes can be used at that aperture, excluding supertelephotos and tilt shifts.

 

[raphaelaaron]

you're looking at slower lenses, is why.

get something with a faster maximum aperture.

faster = smaller number.

however, that much of a difference in stops won't change your image too much. try and make a style of your own, if you cant afford the faster lenses.

 

[Kbarredo]

its not the camera its the lens thats attached to them that decides the widest aperture.

 

[ann]

a 2.8 lens cannot get to 2.5. It's widest aperture is just that 2.8. However an f2 lens can move up to 2.5 or 2.8, and of course anything higher.

 

[KmH]

faster = smaller number.

To be accurate, a faster maximum aperture = a bigger number, f/2 is a bigger number than f/8.