Excited By a TV???

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Artie, n the meantime, though, I can point you to this article which describes the effect and does include an image example:
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography...ound_blur.html

As explained in the referenced article, the "fuzzier" distant background comes from the fact that that a longer
lens at the same f/stop setting as a shorter lens will use a larger physical aperture opening at
time of capture. It is technically this larger physical opening which creates the effect rather than
the focal length itself but since for a given f/stop setting, the physical opening size increases with
focal length, you can state it either way. I'd also be interested to hear what others have to say about this.

P.S.
Sorry for getting into this technical sidetrack in your image critique thread.

Hey Mike, No problema with the technical info. I think that I understand now. To be honest, even in the sample images the differences are not at all obvious to me as in the wider view you are seeing more distracting stuff and it is difficult to judge the degree of fuzziness.

Heck, just another reason to love the 800.

While I will put this in the "Nice to Know" and "Glad That I Learned That" folders, I believe that it is perfect example of folks spending much too much time on fairly worthless info that will not make them better photographers. I do not think that I will be downloading Bob's calculator gizmo any time soon

[Mike Milicia]

While I will put this in the "Nice to Know" and "Glad That I Learned That" folders, I believe that it is perfect example of folks spending much too much time on fairly worthless info that will not make them better photographers. I do not think that I will be downloading Bob's calculator gizmo any time soon

Agree this has nothing to do with being a better photographer and I'll pass on the calculator as well
(and not just because it only works on Windows ;)). The only value I see in this knowledge is it's
another reason why just getting closer to your subject with a shorter lens is not a substitute for
a supertelephoto. I've heard individuals claim that they had no need to make the investment in a supertelephoto
lens because they can just get closer to the subjects. It's an unfortunate fact (financially speaking) that for
certain styles of bird photography, a supertelephoto lens is an invaluable and irreplaceable tool, and it's not just
about proximity to the subject. Then again, I take a look at images like this one :

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=39110

and wonder why I'm lugging around my 8 1/2 pound 500mm. :)