burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

If I use a Canon, I can't have an MPASM?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

It is actually "ƒ/2.8", not "F2.8" or "f/2.8". The symbol, 'ƒ' is Option + f on Mac keyboards. I have no idea what it is on Windows, probably Alt + [some arcane number].

'ƒ' (in photography and related optical fields) is a symbol meaning FOCAL LENGTH. The expression, 'ƒ/2.8', is read in English as "focal length divided by 2.8," as expressed in the same dimension as the lens (usually mm). So it is the CALCULATED diameter of the aperture in the diaphragm of the lens... i.e.; on a 100mm lens, the aperture ƒ/8 is 100/8, or 12.5mm. As it turns out, the same aperture number on different lengths of lenses represents the opening size that lets in "the same" amount of light.

In practice, there are variables such as manufacturing tolerances and the transmission of light through all those various glass elements, So ƒ/2.8 on one lens might be ƒ/3.2 on another, or ƒ/2.5 on yet another. In the motion picture and video (film) industry, we call those ACTUAL values, 't/stops'. A 't/stop' is the actual number on the lens that represents a truly standard amount of light transmission.

On multiple-camera movie set assignments, using matched lenses with calibrated 't/stop' scales is important, so that the color and brightness of each camera's output is matched to the others. That makes intercutting clips from several cameras much more seamless, and reduces or eliminates the need for separate color grading of each clip. It was/is a lot harder to get a match with film than with video. These days, downloading lookup tables into cameras can match them, and using a ColorChecker Passport at each camera can balance several cameras' color and exposure quite closely.

williejoha

I think we need to start a research team that does in depth research on this subject and reports back to the rest. It’s a slow day today, so it sounds like a good idea. Ha
WJH

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

ALT+159 on a numeric keypad is ƒ.

SOL if one does not have a numeric keypad????

BebuLamar

So it's really the Nikon Zƒ?

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I think SOME Canon shooters know their camera's terminology. SOME Nikon shooters know the Nikon terminology. For those few people, either terminology works great. But for those who don't, they are not equal. There is absolutely nothing intuitive about the label Tv on a camera dial or LCD screen. Without some level of at least introductory learning, there is no reason to assume that a photographer would know what it meant or how it should be used.

Photography is a fascinating endeavor caught between the technical world and the artistic world. I know of a few people who have been able to successfully build a bridge between the two. Most choose a side and reside there. I have done some informal categorization which I will not share about which group chooses
which brand. There is a definite tendency.

L-Fox

x 10

epd1947

Correct - a perfect example is the Citric Acid cycle, aka the Kreb’s Cycle aka the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle. Photographic terminology is a walk in the park in comparison to the other fields you mentioned.

tgreenhaw

If you think cameras are bad - cars have gotten worse.

I'm sure the naming conventions for camera modes are rooted in the manufacturers Patent and Copyrights in various countries. Not a simple solution for we end user customers but I'm sure some lawyers are happy.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

ƒ this silly topic.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

If you look closely, there are only silly topics working right now...

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

No

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Feel better now?

W9OD Loc: Wisconsin

Now I am totally confused.