Answer
If diffraction is the only consideration, you would use the smallest f-stop (largest aperture) to get the sharpest image.
Work Step by Step
The f-stop is defined as the ratio of the focal length of the lens to the diameter of the aperture. A large f-stop corresponds to a small aperture, and a small f-stop corresponds to a large aperture. The aperture controls the amount of light that enters the lens and also the depth of field of the image.
Diffraction is an optical phenomenon that occurs when light passes through a small aperture, causing the light to spread out and creating a decrease in the sharpness of the image. When the aperture is smaller, the light passing through is spread out more, increasing the effect of diffraction and reducing the sharpness of the image.
To minimize the effect of diffraction and achieve the sharpest image, it's best to use the largest aperture, or the smallest f-stop. This allows more light to pass through the lens without being spread out as much, resulting in a sharper image with less diffraction.
In summary, if diffraction is the only consideration, you should use the smallest f-stop (the largest aperture) to get the sharpest image. This allows more light to pass through the lens and minimize the diffraction, resulting in a sharper image.
