What is your favorite F stop

[Grandpaw]

I have noticed looking at the EXIF data that the F stop that gives me the a blurred background that I like and makes my subject stand out on my zoom lens without totally making the background unrecognizable is F 5/6. This gives me a nice blur without going too far. I haven't tried my new F2.8 70-200VR but I do like the effect of my previous pictures with the 5.6 setting.

So what is your favorite F stop in situations like this? I guess I am wondering just how much of a blur you like, Jeff

Example of mine below at f 5.6

[draper]

5.7 is what I typically use.

[ksbryan0]

I am typically somewhere between 5.6 and 8, really depends on how far away from the subject the background elements are. I probably have more images with the bg blur where I want it that are shot at F8, than any other stop. This Golden Eagle is an example of one my F8 shots.

[CaraRose]

F/4, which is wide open on most of my lenses.

[Grandpaw]

I figured there would be a few that said 2.8 or the 1.8 f stops. I like it blurry but still able to tell a little of what the background might be. Enough to bake the subject stand out, Jeff

[armando_m]

For isolation I'll usually be at the widest aperture for the lens than I'm using , and the closest focus I can possibly have, without scaring my subject

[mjs1973]

When photographing wildlife, I'm typically shooting at f/9 for the simple fact that on my big zoom lens, f/9 gives me the sharpest photos. I would love to be able to shoot at a much wider aperture to help blur the background more, but it really isn't an option with my main wildlife lens.

As far as the amount of blur goes, I really like a nice smooth wash of color behind my subject if possible.





Shooting at f/9 can really make that a challenge, so I have to pay attention to where I set up and make sure anything in the background is a ways away to help blur it out the way I like.

At times I also like to show the environment of my subject so it really depends on what I'm going for.

[CaraRose]

I figured there would be a few that said 2.8 or the 1.8 f stops. I like it blurry but still able to tell a little of what the background might be. Enough to bake the subject stand out, Jeff

Oh dear, you want to *b*ake the subject! That's not nice to do to those birds :P

LOL, sorry

I'm with Mike for what I want, smooth wash of color. I don't mind if its uniform or non-uniform, but I prefer not to have enough distinction to tell what's behind.

[Grandpaw]

Oh dear, you want to *b*ake the subject! That's not nice to do to those birds :P

LOL, sorry

I'm with Mike for what I want, smooth wash of color. I don't mind if its uniform or non-uniform, but I prefer not to have enough distinction to tell what's behind.

I always read my posts before I send them but I sure missed that one. You haven't lived until you have tasted baked pelican! LOL Jeff

[Loupey]

My usual aperture is f/5.6 with my 300mm and 500mm lenses - not because of the quality of the blur at those apertures but because I'm typically looking for maximum resolution and those primes are exceptional stopped down one stop. And having the fastest possible shutter speed while hand-holding or monopod-mounted dictates that I can't stop down any further if I also want the lowest possible ISO.

So when I'm using my 2x teleconverter on these lenses, it's f/11.

[crusty]

Good point, I think I usually opt for the low end, but will definitely have to play with this higher settings to try and find a good balance.

[Sebastian]

As wide open as possible. Resolution be damned. :-)