350xt kit lense question

[VinceN]

I got a quick question regarding the kit lense that come with the XT. How come there are times I can max out the aperature at 3.5 but there are times it won't let me go pass 5.0? I"m the board's biggest noob so dough laugh:lol:

[PaulEY]

The aperture is not constant on the kit lens so at 18 mm the max aperture will be 3.5 but zoomed to 55 it closes down to a max of 5.6, constant aperture lenses cost more to make.

[VinceN]

oh ok, thanks for the clarification.