How to adjust aperture on Canon camera
In photography, aperture is one of the important parameters that controls the amount of light and depth of field. Knowing how to adjust aperture can help you take more professional photos. This article will explain in detail how to adjust aperture on Canon cameras and provide some practical tips.
1. Basic concept of aperture

Aperture is an opening in the lens that controls light entering the camera, usually expressed by f-number, such as f/1.8, f/2.8, etc. The smaller the f-number, the larger the aperture, the more light that enters, and the shallower the depth of field; the larger the f-number, the smaller the aperture, the less light that enters, and the deeper the depth of field.
| Aperture value (f-number) | Aperture size | Depth of field effect |
|---|---|---|
| f/1.8 | Large aperture | Shallow depth of field (blurred background) |
| f/8 | medium aperture | medium depth of field |
| f/16 | small aperture | Deep depth of field (clear front and back) |
2. Steps to adjust aperture on Canon camera
The steps for adjusting aperture on Canon cameras vary slightly depending on the model, but the general steps are as follows:
1.Select shooting mode: Set the camera mode dial to "Av" (aperture priority mode) or "M" (manual mode). In Av mode, you only need to adjust the aperture value and the camera will automatically calculate the shutter speed; in M mode, you need to manually adjust the aperture and shutter speed.
2.Adjust aperture value: In Av or M mode, turn the main dial (usually located on the top or back of the camera) to adjust the aperture value. The current f-number will be displayed on the screen or in the viewfinder.
3.Check the effect: Observe changes in depth of field through the viewfinder or screen to ensure that the aperture value meets your shooting needs.
| Canon camera models | How to adjust aperture |
|---|---|
| EOS 5D Mark IV | Turn the main dial (top) |
| EOS R5 | Turn the control ring (lens or body) |
| EOS 80D | Turn the Quick Control Dial (back) |
3. Practical tips for aperture adjustment
1.portrait photography: Use a large aperture (such as f/1.8 or f/2.8) to blur the background and highlight the subject.
2.landscape photography: Use a small aperture (such as f/8 or f/16) to ensure that both the foreground and background are clear.
3.low light environment: When the light is insufficient, use a large aperture to increase the amount of light entering and prevent the photo from being too dark.
4.creative effects: Try different aperture values and explore the artistic effects brought about by changes in depth of field.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why can’t my Canon camera adjust the aperture?
A: It may be due to the following reasons:
- The camera is not set to Av or M mode;
- The lens used does not support manual aperture adjustment (such as some old-fashioned lenses);
- Camera or lens failure.
Q: Is the smaller the aperture value, the better?
A: Not really. The choice of aperture value depends on the shooting needs. A large aperture is suitable for blurring the background, but may result in a loss of image quality at the edges; a small aperture is suitable for landscape photography, but may require a slower shutter speed or higher ISO.
5. Summary
Adjusting aperture is one of the core skills in photography. By mastering the aperture adjustment method of Canon cameras, you can better control the depth of field and exposure and take more professional photos. Whether it is portraits, landscapes or creative photography, reasonable aperture settings can add a lot of color to your works.
I hope this article can help you quickly get started with aperture adjustment on Canon cameras. Welcome to continue exploring and trying it in practice!
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