Lentes de cámara Jupiter f/4

Jupiter

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Photographing with f/4 Camera Lenses

When it comes to fixed aperture lenses, you may be torn between f/2.8 and f/4, with the former offering an extra stop of light and shallower depth of field for creating beautiful bokeh effects. However, the bulkier nature of the f/2.8 sees many prefer an f/4, particularly when trekking long distance to photograph a subject or traveling on a regular basis. The Soviet-Union-designed Jupiter f/4 lenses are one vintage style still on the market today and offer compatibility with M42 (42mm) and M39 mount systems for 35mm cameras.

What Are the Advantages of an f/4 Lens?

An f/4 lens is a light and compact fixed-aperture lens that you can use for a wide variety of photographic applications. Unlike f/2.8 lenses, which are often heavy and bulky, they make a good addition to travel photography kits where weight is a significant factor.

  • You may favor the f/4 lens when you want to shoot film or video and prefer more depth of field, without compromising on image quality.
  • You can find f/4 lenses in wide-angle models (17-24 mm) through to longer telephoto lengths (100 mm and more), and those that are compatible with both full-frame and cropped APS-C camera bodies.
  • Despite their reduced weight, many f/4 boast ultra-low dispersion glass and aspheric lens elements for optimum image quality that is on par with their f/28 counterparts.

Why Should You Shoot with Fixed-Aperture Lenses?

While most modern DSLR kits come with variable-aperture lenses, there's a reason why you may favor fixed-aperture lenses.

  • You can zoom in or out with a fixed-aperture lens without affecting the exposure levels, which is particularly important when shooting in manual mode.
  • When shooting in auto-exposure modes, the aperture won't become smaller as you zoom in, which results in the camera selecting a slower shutter speed as compensation, which may not suit your purpose.

What Should You Look for When Buying f/4 Lenses?

The f/4 that's right for you depends on your photographic requirements and the mount system used on your camera.

  • When you have a 42mm mount system, you can find vintage Jupiter f/4s produced in the Soviet Union between 1950 and 1980 and renowned for their quality glass. While they may not offer the optical technology of modern lenses, they're popular with photography enthusiasts wanting to experiment with retro models and achieve unique aesthetics.
  • You can find fixed focal length f/4s, such as 50mm portraiture lenses and 90mm macros, as well as variable focal length options, such as 28-70mm and 70-200mm, for various mount systems.

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