The ratio of the focal length (F) of a mirror or lens to its diameter (D) expressed as a number (also called the f-number or f-stop), f/# = F/D; it is a measurement that describes the relative opening or aperture. For example, a lens with a 50mm focal length with the aperture set at f/2 indicates an aperture diameter of 25mm,whereas f/4 indicates an aperture of 12.5mm. Borrowing the language of photography, small focal ratios, below about f/6, are said to be fast and result in a brighter image for a given aperture. Large focal ratios, equal to or above about f/8, are said to be slow.
Related category OPTICS AND OPTICAL PHENOMENA
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