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I don't quite understand why most lenses seem to have approximately the same diameter aperture regardless of focal length.

F-stop is, by definition, a ratio of focal length to diameter, so a 20mm lens with a 40mm aperture should be f/0.5 and a 400mm lens with a 40mm aperture should be f/10.

However, what we actually see in lenses is roughly the same distribution of f-stops for both wide angles and teles, yet the actual diameters aren't largely different. So is my understanding of f-stop flawed?

Note: The question has been substantially reworded as the point I was trying to get at is not covered in the answers to the 'duplicated' question. I hope my reworded question will be reconsidered. Thanks.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Related: Why do wide angle prime lenses have relatively small apertures? \$\endgroup\$
    – coneslayer
    Mar 26, 2013 at 20:40
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    \$\begingroup\$ I voted to close it as a duplicate (which will keep it around and point to the other question). Other users with enough reputation can also vote to close, or I think a moderator could do it directly. That's probably better than deleting it. \$\endgroup\$
    – coneslayer
    Mar 26, 2013 at 20:54
  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks. I reworded the entire structure. I see someone actually modified the wording of the Question itself as well which I was concerned about. \$\endgroup\$
    – Octopus
    Mar 28, 2013 at 19:58
  • \$\begingroup\$ That was me, when I voted to reopen it I also changed the title since that really is what you are asking. If you aren't, please clarify it. \$\endgroup\$
    – Paul Cezanne
    Mar 28, 2013 at 20:28
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    \$\begingroup\$ Your understanding is basically correct. I'll add some more information that may help explain it once this is properly reopened. In the meantime, look at photo.stackexchange.com/questions/7365/…, about constant-aperture zoom lenses (and why they don't just have super-fast apertures at the wide end) — I think that clears up a lot of the puzzle. \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Mar 28, 2013 at 20:39

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Your reasoning is simply but incorrect since it is only based on the size of elements. What is easier to make is a bright normal lens.

Any lens wider than the flange distance of the camera requires more complex designs and the wide aperture has to be considered throughout all the elements.

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    \$\begingroup\$ Re your statement about flange distance versus focal length: It is true for SLR cameras, because you need to move the mirror out of the way before taking the photo and thus the mirror-box needs to be free of obstructions. For mirrorless systems it is not necessarily so; I have an old Russian, Zeiss-designed 35mm/2.8 for Leica that pokes so far into the camera body that it almost touches the film plane. (That said, on digital cameras retrofocal wide-angles generally seem to be the way to go, just as on SLR cameras, to avoid corner pixel shading and other problems.) \$\endgroup\$
    – Staale S
    Mar 27, 2013 at 12:20
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Itai, the entire wording of this question has changed dramatically (with guidance from admins) to more accurately address the gist of my misunderstandings. Just thought you should know, in case you want to alter your answer. \$\endgroup\$
    – Octopus
    Mar 28, 2013 at 20:03

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