This will probably leave quite a few people smacking their heads - but is the aperture lens dependent?

I'm playing around with the Av setting on my Canon EOS 300D to change the depth of field - however it's going no lower than f/5. Is it because of the lens I'm using (standard 18-55 kit lens) or am I missing something?

Yep each lense has a minimum apature maked, pro lenses generally have a consistant apature eg f/2.8, amature and semi-pro lenses often have a variable apature such as f3.5-4.5. Essentialy the apature/ f stop rating of the lense is a measure of the maximum amount of light the lense will allow to get to the sensor/film. So the f stop is really say "with everything open, how much light will get to the recording surface"

Hope that helps.

D

Thanks Dave, it certainly does. I'll be investing in a new one shortly and this will be one of the most features of it :)

have a look at the pricing at www.d-d-photographics.com.au those are the guys I get most of my kit from.

Awesome - cheers!

For low light situations, you might want to consider a prime lens or two. I have a F1.8 50mm for my 350d that spends a lot of time on the camera. It is great for walking around. To get a fast zoom lens, you are up for some serious $$. Although I'm seriously considering the f4 70-200mm canon.