Skip to main content

Choosing the sharpest aperture for your lens

Amazing architectural detail in Antwerpen-Centraal Station.

I think photographers tend to be slightly obsessive by nature, particularly when it comes to equipment.

One regular debate revolves around the sharpness of lenses and photographers spend a fortune on a particular brand’s most expensive, best quality lenses. Is it worth it? The short answer is ‘yes – in a laboratory. But in real life there are a number of other factors to consider.

What do you do if you can’t afford a full range of prime lenses; or if you travel a lot by air and need to travel light, or in environments where carrying a selection of heavy lenses is not practical?

The answer is to get the best quality possible out of your lens. This applies of course whether you’re using kit lenses or prime lenses.

A kit lens, when used at its sharpest aperture, can deliver excellent results that rival far more expensive lenses.

The next logical question is what is the sharpest aperture for my lens? Most photographers will tell you between f5.6 and f11. The logic is that at wide apertures (eg f1.4-1.8) and very small apertures (eg f16-f22) you’re pushing the limits of your lens. At small apertures diffraction can seriously affect lens sharpness. Received wisdom is that F8 is often the sharpest aperture as it sits nicely in the middle. However the only real proof for the sharpness of your lens is to test it out for yourself. It could be f5.6, f7.1, f8 or f11. Ask yourself what the manufacturer envisages the lens being used for. If it is for portraits then wider apertures (eg f5.6) are more likely to be the sharpest and if it is a wide angle for landscapes then logically the smaller apertures (eg f11) would be the sharpest. But this is just a generalisation.

The distance to your subject and focal length you use a zoom at will also affect which aperture is the sharpest. Take a photograph of a subject at your favourite working distance with your lens. Use a tripod, mirror lockup and a remote release to ensure that other factors such as mirror bounce do not affect your results. You’ll be amazed at the variation in sharpness that your lens produces at different focal lengths (if it is a zoom) and different apertures. Each lens has its sweet spots. Identifying them can help you get the most out of the quality your lens can produce.

Now I mentioned photographers’ obsessiveness in the first paragraph. Returning to this point I feel bound to emphasize that making a great image has very little to do with picking the sharpest aperture on your lens. It’s all about emotion and how you interpret the moment. You may need minimal depth of field to isolate your subject or maximum depth to keep foreground and background as sharp as possible.

It’s good to know where the ‘sweet spot’ is for your lens but you shouldn’t be a slave to any formulas. Just go out there and have fun and create. Few normal observers of your photographs are going to examine them obsessively for sharpness. What the image shows and how it communicates with the viewer is far more important.

However if you are able to choose an aperture, then knowing the sweet spot of your lens and being able to benefit from that extra bit of sharpness could give your image an extra edge.

Till soon.

Paul
www.indigo2photography.co.uk

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Beyond the Obvious: Lessons from the Masters of Photography

  In photography, there’s more than technical skill or gear; the real art is in connection, storytelling, and moments that matter. In this blog, I’ll explore what I have learned by taking master classes with photographers like Steve McCurry, Joel Meyerowitz, and Albert Watson. One of the surprising outcomes of learning from them was discovering just how closely my  thoughts and practice aligned with theirs although I've always carved my own path. There is something delightful about finding kindred spirits. I wanted to share what I've learnt and remind us of our true practice as photographers behind the lens. Storytelling Through Human Connection A photograph should convey more than just skill—it should capture a story that resonates. Steve McCurry’s iconic Afghan Girl does this beautifully, capturing strength and vulnerability in a single frame. Like McCurry, I believe photography should reveal the depth and uniqueness of our subjects. This requires empathy, patience, and a ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Story Behind the Stories in My Photography

 Thank you for taking the time to explore my work. Photography, to me, is a meditative act—an opportunity to be fully present and notice the smallest details. The interplay of colour and light, the textures and shapes, the shift of an expression, a gesture — these subtle moments bring me pure joy. They are why I love storytelling and creating visual poetry. Every image in my portfolio is born from a moment of connection or curiosity. Whether I’m in a bustling city street, a quiet room, or a remote location, I aim to create photographs that resonate with empathy. Take "The Cyclists," for example—what appears to be a simple scene of people pedalling along the pier transforms into a visual symphony of movement and stillness, the hurried energy balanced by the serene focus of the riders. This interplay between action and calm often draws me in. I’m drawn to capturing the essence of a person—their inner world, not just their outward appearance. My approach often dances between the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Curiosity

 Photography is more than just capturing moments; it's about telling stories, evoking emotions, and portraying the world through the lens's perspective. At the heart of our creative endeavour lies an essential trait: curiosity. This picture shows a man peering through a window cut in the wall of a hoarding around a construction site. He was fascinated by the activity, and I was fascinated by his curious gaze. Curiosity fuels the photographer's journey, propelling us to explore the world with fresh eyes and an insatiable appetite for discovery. Creativity:  Curiosity is the cornerstone of creativity. It compels photographers to push boundaries, experiment with new techniques, and step out of their comfort zones. Photographers can unlock their creative potential and produce remarkable work by embracing curiosity. Storytelling:  Every photograph has a story to tell, and curiosity is the key to uncovering these narratives. Whether delving into a location's history, connecti...
Post a Comment
Read more