http://lazyobsession.blogspot.ie/2013/05/oasap-summer-giveaway.html

I suggest bloggers just getting started with the subject of aperture shoot on aperture priority on their cameras, and open that sucker all the way up. I only recently started adjusting the settings manually, and the “A” setting on the dial (Nikon) worked for me 90% of the time.

Keep it up! I think this post has some of my greatest pics yet and I know ifb deserves some of the credit! http://www.ajwearsclothes.com/2012/07/inspired-style-serena.html

Hey Teri,

I think you have the settings confused. Modern Nikon lens only go down to 1.8/1.4 and Canon 1.4/1.2 with leica going down to 0.95 for a $10000 price tag.

If you want to get technical the aperture number (1.8, 1.4 etc) is actually written out as f/1.4 and it’s the mathematical ratio of the focal length to the aperture diameter.

An average 50 mm prime lens has a range of f/1.8 to f/16. If you calculate the values, 50/1.8 is larger than 50/16 which means the opening is wider and more light is coming in.

All cameras, DSLRs or not have aperture priority modes labeled A or Av which basically tells the camera to set shutter speed, exposure and most times ISO while keeping the aperture at the value indicated for you.

A lot of newbie photographers buy a lens with a shallow DOF and are so in love with the great blurring effect that they shoot all their photos at the widest settings. This compromises the overall sharpness of your photos and it’s advised as a rule of thumb to take your photos at one or two “stops” from your lowest setting. If you have a 85 mm f/1.4 shoot it at f/1.8, f/2 or f/2.2 for great DOF and incredibly sharp photos.

If you’re interested in learning more about photography I suggest signing up to the Digital Photography School mailing list. I am in no way affiliated with the website. I just know it’s definitely helped me improve my technical and compositional skills in the past http://digital-photography-school.com/

All the best,
Campus Sartorialist

Thanks for the advice, Amber! It’s encouraging to hear that at my level I wouldn’t be making a mistake springing for the (comparatively) cheap DSLR. I’ve been reading some Consumer Reports, and while (of course) the $1000+ Nikons perform well, the more-affordable Canons aren’t too shabby either!

Hey!
I bought my first DSLR earlier this year. I love it. After using a point and shoot for so long, I fell head over heels for my new Canon. Buying a DSLR within the 500-600 range won’t disappoint, trust me! You might be actually doing yourself a favor buying within that range, instead of buying a $1000 camera. There is nothing more embarrassing than seeing a blogger with a $1,200 camera and her not knowing how to use it. I’ve seen this, and it makes me cringe. A camera within the $600 range is still an amazing machine. As you get more comfortable you can always upgrade your lens, etc.

Hope that helps as well!
Amber

Ellie