F Stops And Aperture

[endure]

Is there any logical explanation why a big aperture has a small F stop number and vice versa?

[cdnvic]

The math behind it can be a bit numbing but it is not actually tied directly to the size of the aperture but to the ratio of focal length to aperture diameter. It's one of those things that you can understand perfectly until you dig too deep, at which time it becomes mind-boggling and alien (unless you actually like algebra).

If you think about it in terms of larger numbers meaning wider depths of field, it's easier to rationalize.

[endure]

Cheers. Are there any websites that explain the optics of cameras - bearing in mind that I left school some considerable time ago and my algebra is a little rusty.

[cdnvic]

Cambridge in Colour has great tutorials on all subjects relating to photography.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-lenses.htm

[cdnvic]