Beginner's Guide to Variable Aperture Lenses | Ask David Bergman

Today's question from Aditya S. is, "I have a Nikon 18-55mm DX lens that has 3.5-5.6 inscribed on it. The max aperture seems to be 3.5 at 18mm and 5.6 at 55mm. Why is that and how does this work? Thank you!"

Exposure Triangle Videos:

You might also be wondering: "What is the point in variable aperture lenses?" "What is a variable aperture lens?" - David answers those questions in this video!

Join David for an Italian Adventure!

Canon Explorer of Light David Bergman is a NYC-based tour photographer and educator with more than 30 years of experience. Currently the official tour photographer for Luke Combs, he has also traveled the world with artists including Bon Jovi, Barenaked Ladies, and Sarah McLachlan. As a sports photographer, he covered numerous Olympics, Super Bowls, and World Series games and has 13 Sports Illustrated covers to his credit. A passionate public speaker and photo educator, Bergman produces the bi-weekly show "Ask David Bergman" on the Adorama YouTube channel and hosts his unique "Shoot From the Pit" live concert photography workshops.

Timestamps and Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:31 Italy Trip Announcement
00:57 Aditya’s Question
01:29 Understanding Aperture
02:09 Prime vs. Zoom Lenses
03:33 Fixed vs. Variable Aperture Lenses
03:58 Examples of Canon 24-105mm Variable Aperture Lenses
05:04 What are the advantages of variable aperture lenses?
05:29 Dealing with Changing Aperture
05:47 Automatic Exposure Mode
06:13 Manual Exposure Adjustment
07:18 Canon Camera Settings for Same Exposure for New Aperture
08:34 Conclusion
08:51 Outro

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✘ GEAR USED:

Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens

Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM Lens

Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM Lens

Canon R3 Mirrorless Camera Body

Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body

✘ PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT USED:

Canon EOS R Mirrorless Full Frame Digital Camera Body

Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens

Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Black Aluminum Tripod with MVH502AH Pro Video Head

CLAR Illumi Max 500 High Power 5600K LED Light

Glow EZ Lock Octa Quick XL Softbox With Bowens Mount (48")

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#variableaperturelens #aperture #adorama

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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[rogermanning]

My Nikon Z9 also offers a setting to maintain exposure as aperture changes, by automatically adjusting either shutter speed or ISO. I love it. Cheers David!

[scrptwic]

David
My travel kit is two lenses a 16- 50 mm2.8 and a 55-300 4.6 -5.6 I found this setup works for me when I recently traveled to Chicago. I found variable Apature lenses are not a problem when my camera can take good pictures up to ISO 12800 and 5 stop of in camera image Stabilization

[photoquent]

I really was not expecting to learn anything from this video but I watch all of David’s videos as he will always pull out something unexpected. That simple menu change for Canon cameras is somewhat of a game changer - than you!

[maridethsandler]

Holy cow! Yes for the R6 and R6 Mark II. So it will automatically know that you mean you want to keep the widest aperture throughout the zoom length, rather than vice versa? Many thanks.

[brad_in_yyc]

I had no idea about the keep same exposure setting. That's brilliant!!

[amywright]

Oh how I would love to tour the Italian Riviera! 😍 especially with a pro like David!

[markkempton]

First I've heard of this setting! I haven't used a variable aperture lens since moving to the R series, so maybe I just never looked for it. Either way, it's a great option. Thank you!

[Elassyahmed]

I am here primarily to say that the thumbnail alone deserves an epic prize

[Weldon]

Regarding the "Same expo. for new aperture" menu option that you discused; would you consider the "Auto ISO" feature in many cameras (R5) to be somewhat of an equivalent capability? I often use manual mode to set my shutter speed and aperture and let Auto ISO "float" within its limitations.

[JR-rokv]

Nikon z9 custom (pencil) menu b7: Keep Exp. When f/ Changes

I always pickup something watching your videos. Thanks for sharing,

[Laiquatan]

I don't know if Aditya was asking about the physics of how the variable aperture works, but a simplified way of thinking about it is that when you zoom in, you have the light from a smaller portion of the image compared to zoomed out, and since that light gets spread out to cover the sensor you end up with a lower light density and hence a darker image if you use the same ISO and shutter speed, thus effectively giving a stopped-down aperture

[simonvail]

Hello David Thanks very much for the video. I have a Canon r6 ii, so have the 'same exposure for new aperture.' However, my problem is that it remain resolutely 'off'. I can't turn it to 'on' so that I can set it as you suggest. I suspect there is a conflict with another setting, but don't know which one that is. Thanks for your time.

[andrewelder]

It seems like an obvious miss that there's no setting that automatically closes down the aperture as you zoom back OUT with a variable lens. Combine that with the "same exposure" setting you pointed out toward the end, and you could optimal performance out of one of these without having to constantly adjust.

[sidneycohen]

A possible limitation to making the recommended change for the iso on my R5 with the 100-500 mm Canon lens is that it broke the ability to do exposure compensation using the control ring plus the metering button (I use back button focus). I had to reload camera settings from the saved file on the memory card to restore this function as turning the variable iso setting to off did not restore the control ring function.

[dunnymonster]

Like yourself I used to treat variable aperture zooms as fixed aperture by setting the max aperture at its longest zoom setting for the entire focal length. I shoot full manual so this meant I didn't have to account for exposure changes whenever I zoomed the lens. As " auto ISO " became a feature however I use that instead these days. Riding the ISO means less noise penalty when using the lens at its widest focal length where I can gain a stop or two utilising the bigger aperture. I'll only be getting the really high ISO's when I'm zoomed out where the closer detail tends to hide it better 😋

[vperalta]

I found the "Same exposure for new aperture" on my Canon R6 Mark II. Normally I use auto ISO. If I set my camera to same exposure for new aperture, should I continue to use auto ISO?

[camhitchcock]

Hi David, Like yourself, I have an R5 and the 100-500 zoom. Was also oblivious to the "Maintain Exposure" settings in the orange menu 🤪 Thanks for the tip. I always pick up a nugget or two from watching your video's.

[puneetgupta]

can you read this :~ I always want to buy one dslr but i can not trust internet for suggestions, you seems to be expert can you suggest one camera and one lens that can replace iphone, I don’t want to zoom into a bird in national forest, just street photography and portraits, ans some long exposure

[isoawe]

I thought I was going crazy using Z9 like that. My 35-150 f/2-2.8 is the first variable zoom I’ve owned in years. As light dimmed, I’d increase ISO, if I did that at 35 mm, it would change as I zoomed. Thought my camera was haunted. Made me crazy until I figured out to change my iSO at long range of zoom. 😂

[pattymattes]

Nikon Z7II and the Z8 have the auto iso. I use it quite frequently.