Photography 101

[footfootfoot]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I understand those to be true facts. I just don't understand why the size of the opening doesn't affect the angle of view.

Let's say you are the retina or film plane and a window in your house is the aperture. Stand as far away from the window as possible and look outside. That is like a long focal length or telephoto lens. Now walk right up to the window and look out at the same thing you were looking at before. Your angle of view is much greater now. I'll make a little drawing.