Lens Diaphragm

In between the lens component of a camera is at

diaphragm which can be expanded or constricted by
moving a turning ring on the lens mount or barrel. The size of
the opening is indicated by markings of f-numbers. Each f-
number represents the ratio of the focal length of the lens
and the diameter of the opening. The common series of f-
numbers are 1.8, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16 and 22. There are
some cameras whose f-numbers starts at 1.4 or 1.2, or 1.1
and the lowest numerical f-number was the 1.09 fitted on a
Canon 7 camera.
These f-numbers indicate in succession decrease by
one-half in light intensity as the number increases. This
means that an aperture of f1.8 will admit twice more light
than f2 and so on. Conversely, light intensity will decrease
by one-half as the numerical value increases. This also
means that f8 will admit twice less light than f5.6.
The diaphragm serves as controller of speed, depth of field
and definitions.
1. Diaphragm as controller of speed.
By expanding or constricting the diaphragm, it is possible to
regulate the amount of light passing through the lens. The
diaphragm serves as a speed throttle. In the series of f-
numbers, the lowest number is the widest opening or the
one that give the most amount of light and conversely, the
highest number is the smallest opening or the one that give
the least amount of light.
2. Diaphragm as controller of depth of field.
In theory, it is not possible to focus a lens in more than
one distance at the same time. In actual practice however,
in any given lens objects that are nearer or Farther than the
object focused upon will be reasonably sharp
Depth of field is defined as the distance between the
nearest and the farthest object in apparent sharp focus
when the lens is set or focused on a given distance.
There are influencing factors of depth of field.
a. The size of the diaphragm opening.
The general rule governing this factor is: The smaller the
opening, the longer is the depth of field. Conversely, the
wider is the opening, the shorter is the depth of field.
The exception to this rule is the presence or the effect of
diffraction when a small opening is used.
b. The focal length of the lens.
The general rule is: the shorter the focal length, the
wider or longer is the depth of field and vice versa the
longer is the focal length the shorter is the depth of field.
C. Circle of confusion
Another factor that affects depth of field is the size of
the circle of confusion which is considered acceptable.
Circle of confusion refers to a small circle which is seen by
the eye, not as a circle but a dot or point
d. Hyperfocal distance
This is the nearest distance at which a lens is focused
with a given particular diaphragm opening which will give
the maximum depth of field.
3. Diaphragm as controller of definition
The term definition is the ability of the lens to form a
clear images of fine details. Not even a theoretically perfect
lens would be capable of imaging a point source of light as
a geometrical point. All practical lenses images such a point
as a small blur which changes in character with the change
of lens aperture. Decreasing the lens aperture improves
definition as it removes the small amount of haze caused by
residual aberrations.
J. Photographic Perspective and Correct Viewing Distance.
The human eye sees in three dimension but a lens
reproduces a view in two dimension. The missing dimension,
depth - is suggested mainly by the relative size and position
of various objects in the photograph. The relations of these
objects or perspective and therefore the naturalness of the
photograph is determined by the position of the camera. A
camera position too close to the subject results in an
exaggerated magnification of the parts nearer the lens.
Correct perspective in a final photograph depends
largely upon the distance upon which it is viewed. The
correct viewing distance which likewise gives the correct
perspective corresponds to the focal length of the lens of
the camera when a contact print of the negative is made.
Frequently, this distance is too short for the eye to be able to
see it clearly and comfortably so there is a need of
enlargement. Enlarged photographs require a viewing
distance equal to the camera focal length times or
multiplied by the number of diameter or degree of
enlargement of the photograph.
K. Focusing
When light passes through a convergent lens, these
light rays are bended toward each other meeting at a point
which is the point of focus. When the subject distance to the
lens is short or near the converging point of the light rays
behind the lens increases and vice-versa. Since the light
bending power of a lens is fixed, it is necessary to adjust the
lens so the point of focus will be on the film plane.
Focusing is defined as the setting of the proper
distance in order to form a sharp image. Focusing is the
main factor that will determine the sharpness of the images
on a photograph. Of course, there are other factors to be
considered, like camera movement or motion of the subject
when the photograph is actually being taken. Though the
focus is accurate, yet these factors will blur image of the
subject being photographed
L. Methods of Focusing
1. Scale-bed or focusing scale.
On the mount or barrel of the camera lens there are
two sets of pre-setted distance expressed in feet (ft) and in
meters (m). This is the scale bed or focusing scale. These
distances corresponds to the distance from the camera lens
to the subject.
To focus with this method, one has to use a measuring
device (tape measure, yardstick, ruler, etc.) and actually
measure the distance from the lens of the camera to the
subject. Whatever distance was measured, will be the
setting of the marker or pointer of focus. If actual
measurement is not possible or undertaken, estimation,
calculation, or approximation of this particular distance can
be resorted to. However, the accuracy of the focus is
dependent upon the accuracy of estimation, calculation,
or approximation.
2. Rangefinders
A rangefinder is a mechanism used to measure the
angle of convergence of light as seen from two apertures or
opening but viewed at the same time. In modern cameras,
the rangefinder is coupled with the viewfinder. There are
two types of rangefinders.
a. Split-image
With this type, when one looks through the viewfinder of
a camera, there is a circle on the central part with a line
running across the circle. To determine focus with this type,
pick a straight line in the subject and view it on the circle. If
the straight line is cut and separated from each other, the
focusing is not correct. Rotate the barrel of the lens until the
said straight line is viewed as straight and the lens are in
focus.
This method of focusing is standard in single lens reflex
camera. Since the viewing and focusing
b. Co-incident image.
This method of focusing is usually used on compact
cameras with a fixed lens. With this type, when you look into
the viewfinder, you'll notice a rectangle - in other cameras,
it's circle - on the upper left portion of the viewfinder. For
emphasis, manufacturer of the camera usually add color to
it, generally a tint of yellow or green.
To focus with this method, pick a single detail in the
subject for viewing in the view finder. If the single detail
chosen appears with double image, the distance or focus is
incorrect. Rotate the lens barrel until the two images viewed
will coincide with each other and you are "in" focus.
3. Groundglass
This method of focusing is accomplished by direct
observation of the image of the subject on a glass with
finely grounded surface known as groundglass. This ground
glass is found at the back of a camera or in the case of
modern cameras, also couple with the viewfinder. The point
of focus is where the image is sharpest. If the image
appears to be blurred, fuzzy or not sharp, it is out of focus.
Some single-lens-reflex cameras use a small central
circle, a microprism on this groundglass viewfinder for easier
focusing. The microprism will usually shatter an out of focus
image. When the image is exactly in focus the prisms seems
to disappear.
M. Depth of Focus or Focal Range
When a lens is focused on any given subject, there is one
lens-to-film distance where the image is sharpest, as the
lens is moved close to the film or farther away from the film
the sharpness decreases. There is a small range of
movement on either side of the position of the best focus in
which the degree of unsharpness is acceptable, and the
total range is called the depth of focus.
N. Parallax
Parallax is the change of appearance and orientation
of objects when seen from two viewpoints. It is also used to
refer to the distance between the viewpoints themselves.
Human vision of depth depends on parallax. Each eye see
objects from two viewpoint about 65mm (2-1/2 inches)
apart. The left and right eye images on the retina have
parallax – that is they are not identical. The spacing
between various parts of the subject being viewed, varies
according to the angular difference. These difference are
interpreted by the brain as difference in distance and three
dimensional depth is perceived
O. Shutters
A shutter is a device that opens to uncover the film to make
an exposure for an accurately timed intervals then closes
automatically. Most shutters are spring-powered and are

Shutter Speed Dial controlled by mechanical linkages.

However, an ever increasing number of modern cameras,
now uses a shutter with electrical circuits to energize
electromagnets for the control of the speeds.
The action of the shutter is expressed in the different
shutter speeds which corresponds to the length of time or
duration of the opening to the closing of the shutter.
The different shutter speeds are:
B - for bulb or brief
1
2
4
8
15
30
60
125
250
500
1000
The B setting is an exposure setting for more than one
second. 1 - is for one second, 2 - is for one-half second, 4 - is
for one-fourth of a second, and all succeeding numbers are
also fractions of a second. Since except for B, and no.1, all
numbers are fractions of second, the higher the number, the
faster is the shutter speed and will admit less light and the
lower the number, the slower is the shutter speed and will
admit more light. The series of shutter speeds will show that
one shutter speed is twice faster or slower than the next
shutter speed.