Why do Wide-Angle Lenses have smaller fStops, when Landscapes need like f11?

[Snacko]

Noob question...

Why do Wide-Angle Lenses have smaller fStops,... when Landscapes need like f11 or higher?

I am new and have taken a photography class last winter. I recently upgraded my D40 to a D5100 and like doing Landscape photography. So, I am looking into getting a Wide-Angle lense. From what I've read and from my class I have learned that you want a larger depth of field for Landscapes so everything is in focus, like a f11 or higher... But Wide-Angle Lenses that you would use for Landscapes, only come in around f3.5-f4.5. Why is that??

Thanks,
Snacko

 

[480sparky]

Because not everything in the world is miles away.

Smaller apertures are also used to allow long exposures (to blur water, create light streaks of cars at night).

 

[Geaux]

Umm, that's the largest the aperture can go, you can change the aperture to f/11 if you want to. Most lenses f/stops are marketed with the largest (lowest #) it can go to.

 

[ann]

Something is not right here, which wide angle lens are you looking for. As Geaux is saying the number fstop number on the barrel or edge of the lens is the lowest not the highest.

 

[Big Mike]

As mentioned, the F stop in the name of the lens, is the Maximum aperture, not the only aperture. When they show a range like F3.5-4.5, that is a range of maximum that changes with the zoom of the lens.

You can still use smaller apertures like F11, F16, F22 etc.

 

[Jarrod268]

To quote "spinal tap", these go to 11.

Really, the number on the lens is the largest aperture. Its not the range. They all stop down.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

[KmH]

Why do Wide-Angle Lenses have smaller fStops,... when Landscapes need like f11 or higher?

This statement indicates you don't yet understand depth-of-field (DOF).

If you're using a crop sensor camera with a lens set to 12 mm and f/4 and the focal point is just 10 feet from the image sensor, the near limit of the DOF is only 3.72 feet in front of the image sensor, while the far limit is at infinity.

If you change the focus point distance to 50 feet from the image sensor the near limit of the DOF moves out to 5.29 feet from the image sensor, while the far limit stays at infinity.

Lens aperture isn't the only factor that determines the DOF. Lens focal length and focus point distance do to.

At f/11, 12 mm, focus distance 50 feet - the near limt of the DOF is now 2.01 feet.

Online Depth of Field Calculator

 

[Village Idiot]

And why does a wide angle lens have to be used for landscapes?

 

[Snacko]

Sorry for any confusion..

I am looking at getting one of these Wide-Angle lenses for doing landscape photography:

• Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
• Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6D EX DC HSM
• Tokina 12-24mm f/4.0 ATX PRO DX II

I assume the first two, the Nikon has a aperture 'range' of f3.5 to 4.5, and the Sigma from f4 to 5.6? And the last one, the Tokina is called a Prime lenses, which is fixed at f4? Is this correct?

Is it true that you want a large depth of field when doing landscapes, so you get more in focus? This is what I was told in my Photography class, my books say the same thing.. And I read it on many sites on the web. You should have at least f8 or f11 or even higher if possible?

I am sure I am missing some understanding here. I am just trying to understand why lenses used for landscape photography don't seem to have the ability to use the fStops recommended for landscape photography. That's all...

Snacko

PS: @VIdiot... Who said it did? I didn't say WA lenses had to be used for landscape photography... I said that is what I want to do.. And that seems to be the best lense for that..

@KmH
So, the further my focus point is from the camera, the larger my DoF is? So, with a landsape with the focus point say about 1/2 mile would be really huge?

 

[Big Mike]

I assume the first two, the Nikon has a aperture 'range' of f3.5 to 4.5, and the Sigma from f4 to 5.6? And the last one, the Tokina is called a Prime lenses, which is fixed at f4? Is this correct?

Is it true that you want a large depth of field when doing landscapes, so you get more in focus? This is what I was told in my Photography class, my books say the same thing.. And I read it on many sites on the web. You should have at least f8 or f11 or even higher if possible?

I am sure I am missing some understanding here. I am just trying to understand why lenses used for landscape photography don't seem to have the ability to use the fStops recommended for landscape photography. That's all...

Read through the posts in this thread.

 

[480sparky]

Those are the maximum apertures. They all will probably stop down to f/22 or so. Check the specifications of each lens for the minimum aperture.

 

[Aze]

You are still incorrect. The range of aperture numbers you see listed are the widest apertures the lens has over the span of the zoom. You will not find a "normal" lens with a fixed aperture

 

[ann]

Please read all the responses above as they address the very question your asking.

 

[Snacko]

Ok, thanks all... Now I remember that those numbers are the min!! Sorry, sometimes I am stupid. :er: And the first two lenses are the mins for the zoom range.. Argg.... Should have known this.

 

[480sparky]

• Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens Aperture range is 3.5-4.5 to f/22
• Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6D EX DC HSM Aperture range is f/4-5.6 to f/22
• Tokina 12-24mm f/4.0 ATX PRO DX II Aperture range is f/4 to f/22