On Sun, 16 Mar 2003 18:37:16 -0500, "Dane Brickman" <6am@prodigy.net> wrote:

>It's generally accepted that the best results are obtained around 5.6 and

>f8.

>

>The way I read the material, that would apply regardless of the aperture

>"range" of the lens... like with the Sony, you'd shoot stopped down for max

>effect.

>

>Anyone have any experience with the Sony in this

>regard? Or know of any material that may take a contrary view with lenses in

>general?

????????????

As with most "rules of thumb", the numerous exceptions

make them nearly useless... As for the above, you do

not say what "Sony"... (camcorder, camera, CCD size,

etc.), and the rule of thumb varies with format, and

lens type. For 35mm, f8 is more often than not the

optimum aperture for center to corner optimization,

though there are many exceptions (WAs and zooms often

require more stopping down for corners; some lenses

perform optimally at f5.6 or even at f4). For other

formats and good gear, the optimum stop may often be

much smaller (large format), or wider (good video

lenses).