F stop number, picture quality?
 

I mostly try to shoot at an f stop 1.8 or so, to have shallow depth of field.
But I read sometimes here that a cam films best or so, at an f stop of 4 to 8 or something like that?
Is that so? And why is that?
Is it because you have more detail? More color rendition?

Thanks for any information in advance.

Cam optics (lenses) are ''optimised'' for midrange F-numbers. However, F-setting doesn't make too much resolution difference for video unless you set to high F-numbers with small CCD chips(diffraction). Color rendition is not affected.

Thanks. So I don't have to worry so much about it?

In terms of quality, you probably mean the cleanest picture you can get. This may not pertain to quality per-se, but it does explain a lot about using the f-stop on a DV camera to maximize the looks of your shots concerning DOF.

http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=news;action=display;num=1083366247

I saw that no one else replied, so maybe this can provide you with a little more info.

Good luck!

Yeah, I just indeed wanted short DOF, but if there would be a difference in picture quality I would have to think about it. I knew about how to get the short DOP. But thanks a lot! It's great to play with your focus (well not like a lunatic, but if it fits the story)

Typically, any camera lens will be the sharpest edge to edge at one of the mid f- stop settings. With computer-aided design and significant improvements in lens manufacturing this distinction is harder and harder to see without magnification.
Also, if you choose a mid f-stop for correct exposure of a scene, you has all kinds of latitude for over or under exposing to get the look you want. It is always a compromise choosing the right condidtions for your shoot.