Revolutionize Your Photography: How to Change Aperture on Canon 80D

The Canon 80D is a powerful DSLR, offering a range of creative options for photographers. One of the most fundamental aspects of photography is controlling depth of field, and the aperture is the key to achieving this. Understanding how to change aperture on your Canon 80D is crucial for capturing stunning images with just the right amount of blur and sharpness. This blog post will guide you through the process, explaining the basics of aperture and how to adjust it on your camera.

What is Aperture?

Aperture refers to the size of the opening in your lens through which light passes to reach the camera sensor. It’s measured in f-stops, and a smaller f-number (like f/2.8) indicates a wider aperture, while a larger f-number (like f/16) indicates a narrower aperture.

Why is Aperture Important?

Controlling aperture is essential for a number of reasons:

• Depth of Field: Aperture directly affects the depth of field, which is the area in your image that appears sharp. A wider aperture (smaller f-number) creates a shallower depth of field, blurring the background and making your subject stand out. A narrower aperture (larger f-number) creates a deeper depth of field, keeping more of the scene in focus.
• Light Control: Aperture also influences the amount of light that enters the camera. A wider aperture allows more light in, which is useful in low-light situations. Conversely, a narrower aperture restricts the amount of light, making it suitable for bright conditions.
• Creative Expression: Aperture plays a crucial role in shaping the overall look and feel of your photos. By manipulating depth of field, you can create different moods and emphasize specific elements within your images.

How to Change Aperture on Your Canon 80D: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Select Aperture-Priority Mode (Av): This mode allows you to choose the aperture while the camera automatically sets the shutter speed to achieve the correct exposure. You can find the Av mode on your mode dial.
2. Use the Aperture Ring (if applicable): Some Canon lenses have an aperture ring that allows you to directly adjust the aperture. If your lens has this feature, simply rotate the ring to your desired f-stop.
3. Use the Control Dial or Buttons: If your lens doesn‘t have an aperture ring, you can change the aperture using the control dial or buttons on your Canon 80D.

• Control Dial: Rotate the control dial to adjust the aperture value displayed in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.
• Buttons: Some Canon 80Ds have dedicated buttons for aperture adjustment. Check your camera’s manual for specific instructions.

4. Observe the Effects: As you change the aperture, observe the changes in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen. Notice how the depth of field shifts and the amount of light entering the camera changes.

Understanding Aperture Values and Their Impact

• Wide Apertures (Smaller f-numbers): f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6. These settings create shallow depth of field, ideal for isolating subjects and blurring backgrounds. They also allow more light in, making them suitable for low-light photography.
• Medium Apertures: f/8, f/11. These settings offer a balanced depth of field, keeping a good portion of the scene in focus. They are versatile for various subjects and lighting conditions.
• Narrow Apertures (Larger f-numbers): f/16, f/22. These settings create deep depth of field, keeping nearly everything in focus. They are useful for landscapes and architectural photography where you want to capture maximum detail.

Tips for Using Aperture Effectively

• Experiment: The best way to learn about aperture is to experiment. Try different settings and see how they affect your images.
• Consider the Subject: The choice of aperture depends on your subject and the desired effect. For portraits, a wide aperture can help isolate the subject and create a pleasing blur. For landscapes, a narrower aperture can ensure sharpness across the entire scene.
• Use Aperture Priority Mode: This mode gives you control over aperture while the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed to achieve correct exposure, simplifying the process.
• Pay Attention to the Depth of Field Preview Button: Your Canon 80D likely has a Depth of Field Preview button. Pressing this button stops down the lens to show you the actual depth of field at your chosen aperture, allowing you to visualize the effect before taking the shot.

Beyond Aperture: Other Camera Settings

While aperture is crucial for depth of field, remember that other camera settings also play a role in image quality. These include:

• Shutter Speed: Controls how long the shutter stays open, affecting motion blur and light exposure.
• ISO: Determines the camera’s sensitivity to light, impacting image noise.
• White Balance: Adjusts the color temperature of your image to ensure accurate colors.

Mastering Aperture for Stunning Results

By understanding the fundamentals of aperture and how to adjust it on your Canon 80D, you’ll gain greater control over your photography. Experiment with different aperture settings, explore the effects of depth of field, and use this knowledge to create captivating images that truly express your vision.

The Final Word: Beyond the Basics

While this blog post has focused on the basics of aperture and its adjustment on your Canon 80D, there’s much more to explore. As you delve deeper into photography, you’ll discover advanced techniques like using aperture to create specific effects, understanding the relationship between aperture and shutter speed, and mastering the art of exposure.
Remember, practice is key! The more you experiment with aperture and other camera settings, the more confident you’ll become in your ability to capture stunning images.

What You Need to Learn

Q: What is the best aperture for portraits?
A: For portraits, a wide aperture (f/2.8 to f/5.6) is generally preferred. It creates a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and making the subject stand out.
Q: How can I achieve a sharp image with a wide aperture?
A: While wide apertures create shallow depth of field, you can still achieve sharp images by focusing carefully and ensuring your subject is stationary. Use a tripod or stabilize your camera to minimize camera shake.
Q: What aperture should I use for landscape photography?
A: For landscapes, a narrower aperture (f/8 to f/16) is often used to ensure that most of the scene is in focus, capturing detail from foreground to background.
Q: Can I change aperture while shooting in manual mode?
A: Yes, in manual mode (M), you have complete control over all camera settings, including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. You can adjust the aperture using the control dial or buttons as described earlier.