---
title: Say NO to small f-stops!
description: Say NO to small f-stops!
---

[RedShark News - Video technology news and analysis ](https://www.redsharknews.com)

# [Say NO to small f-stops!](https://www.redsharknews.com/production/item/1877-say-no-to-small-f-stops)

 Written by [Barry Braverman](https://www.redsharknews.com/author/barry-braverman) | Aug 3, 2014 12:00:00 AM

**Do you think smaller apertures always lead to sharper images? Think again, as explained by Hollywood cinematographer Barry Braverman.**

The bending of light through a pinhole-size aperture produces a multitude of tiny light sources, which can create internal reflections and a concomitant increase in flare. Under such conditions, bright daylight scenes may appear washed out and lacking sharpness and resolution. One-third inch and smaller sensor cameras may exhibit severe diffraction at apertures smaller than f4 - f5.6. Larger sensor cameras and DSLRs may also exhibit a noticeable softening and lowering of contrast but not until f11 - f16.

It is important to maintain a proper f-stop because shooting at a narrow aperture with a 1/3-inch HD camcorder like the Panasonic PX270 or the Sony Z7 may yield images not much better than standard definition. With this in mind, some low-end camcorders with tiny sensors automatically apply neutral-density in bright conditions to avoid the narrow apertures that can lead to the loss of resolution and contrast.

*This scene recorded at minimum f-stop appears washed out due to severe diffraction. The use of a neutral density (ND) filter under such conditions is therefore imperative.*

*At tiny apertures the edges of the iris appear to glow and act as tiny light sources that scatter the light and lower contrast.  This is a good reason to shoot early or late in the day, when larger f-stops can be employed.*

*Shooting at so-called Magic Hour at dawn or dusk can dramatically improve the look and performance of any camera or lens system.*

*The neutral density switch at the side of your camcorder is there for a reason. Use it!*

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