Canon 18-55 3.5 - 5.6

[Mav2006]

Hi, apologies for the basic question. However my Canon display 3.5 but then goes up to 56 - no decimal place. I assume this is 5.6.

Also can members confirm that a lower number is better for "blurring" the background.

I did have a quick search on here but didn't find anything. If anyone knows any good posts on this, would welcome the links

 

[Eric Mc]

Yep..3.5 @ 18mm and 5.6 @ 55mm

Yep...the lower the f-stop number the more out of focus the background will be compared to the main subject

 

[marky_h]

Yes indeed - the lower the number, the larger the aperture (which is why it's expressed as f/2.8 for example), and the shallower the depth of field, which, as you say, can be very effective for blurring the background in portraits particularly.

 

[Mav2006]

thanks for the replies, really helpful stuff

 

[englandshottest2]

Yea, you got it! I used to get really confused when I first started reading up on the apertures/f's etc... as it will be referred to as 'small aperture' = higher F-number, and 'wider aperture' = lower F-number.