What is your go-to aperture?

[CarolineJensen]

I was always a person who shot wide open. I love my 1.2 lens, but this last year I tried something different. I shot at f14 nearly all year. I wanted to get more details. I grew to love it so much, even though it was starkly opposite of my past tendencies. 

What is your favorite aperture and why? 

[DonSmith]

As a landscape photographer, I begin every scene at f/11 (just a little mental reminder to myself to think about depth-of -field) then I adjust as the composition dictates...

[ccrafford]

Depends what I am photographing. If it is an event  like a wedding it will be wide open or maybe 1 or 2 stops down for group photos or details  where I need more depth of field.  I also do landscape where the starting point is F11 and then you adjust depending on the mood/feel I want.  For BIF with a long telephoto (200-600) I will try to get F8 so I have enough depth to get detail beyond the eye.

[pm-r]

I love wide open...  whatever the lens 🙂

[CarolineJensen]

As a landscape photographer, I begin every scene at f/11 (just a little mental reminder to myself to think about depth-of -field) then I adjust as the composition dictates...

Do you ever have to do focus stacking? 

[CarolineJensen]

I love wide open...  whatever the lens 🙂

Do you use a monopod with your 400 and 600 or tripod? I struggle wide open with my 400, but LOVE it when the stars align! I think the subjects I shoot are so fast. I can't wait to photograph baby ducks this spring as they are much slower. 🙂 

[tonygale]

It depends on the subject so much! I do love the magic of wide open, but there are plenty of time where "f/8 and be there" is the answer or even f/16. It is great how the modern Sony lenses are so sharp wide open!