Aperture stop for an optical system

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SUMMARY

The aperture stop (AS) in an optical system is the physical aperture that limits light from the object, determined by the on-axis object point. The discussion clarifies that while the AS is influenced by the position of the 3D object being imaged, it remains fixed at a set value, such as f2.8, regardless of the object's distance or position relative to the optical axis. This indicates that the AS does not change dynamically with the object's location, contradicting the initial assumption that it varies with the object's position.

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fog37
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Hello Forum,

The aperture stop (AS) of an optical system is that physical aperture in the system that limits the amount of light from the object.
Consider a 2D object formed by point objects. The AS is determined by considering the object point that is located on the optical axis. Will the AS for that on-axis point also represent the AS for all the other off-axis objet points forming the object?

If the same 2D object moves to a different position along the optical axis, the AS will change since it is determined by the on-axis object point and its location, correct?

If that is correct, it seems that the AS is not fixed aperture for the optical system but strongly depends on the position of the 3D object being imaged...

Thanks,
fog37
 
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fog37 said:
If the same 2D object moves to a different position along the optical axis, the AS will change since it is determined by the on-axis object point and its location, correct?

not sure how you come to that conclusion. If I set a f2.8 aperture on my camera lens. it stays at f2.8 regardless of how far or close an object is to the lens or whether it in the axis line of the lens or off to one side of that axis

fog37 said:
If that is correct, it seems that the AS is not fixed aperture for the optical system but strongly depends on the position of the 3D object being imaged...

refer to my previous comment

cheers
Dave
 

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