In low light with a tripod and a static distant subject, should I use the widest aperture?
Asked 2/16/2017
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If the subject is far away, not moving, and the camera is on a tripod, is there any advantage to using the widest aperture in low light? Assume depth of field is not a concern because the subject is distant, and there is no flash. If equivalent exposure can be achieved by using either a wider aperture with a shorter shutter speed or a narrower aperture with a longer shutter speed, what should determine the choice? Does low light itself change the answer?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
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As you hinted, the number of photons per pixel per exposure depends linearly on exposure time and also linearly on lens area, which goes as the square of the F-stop.
How you optimize depends on what you're willing to trade. Long exposure means risk of blurring as well as increased electronics noise. Wide aperture means somewhat reduced depth of field.
Further, in digital cameras, the pseudo-ISO setting affects the analog electronic gain, which can affect the electronic noise component.
That's pretty much your trade space. Shoot various combinations and pick the result you like.
Originally by user25396. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user25396
9y ago
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Not necessarily. If the subject and camera are truly static, you can trade aperture and shutter speed to get the same exposure.
What matters most is the trade-off:
- wider aperture: lets you use a shorter shutter speed, but may reduce optical sharpness and depth of field
- narrower aperture: may improve lens sharpness up to a point, but requires a longer exposure
- longer exposure: increases the risk of blur from any unnoticed movement and can increase electronic noise
If depth of field and bokeh do not matter, a good approach is:
- use the lowest ISO available for best image quality
- choose the aperture where your lens is sharpest rather than always shooting wide open
- use as long a shutter speed as needed, as long as nothing moves and focus is accurate
Low light does not by itself force you to use the widest aperture. It only means you need more total light, which you can get through a wider aperture, a longer exposure, or both. The best choice depends on your lens performance, acceptable exposure time, and noise tolerance.
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