Noob question (What does f/2.8 mean?)

[Perry Wilson]

What does the f/2.8 stand for?
Zoom Super Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens

 

[ydgmdlu]

That's the widest aperture available.

 

[Perry Wilson]

thank you kindly good sir

 

[USLatin]

This should explain it well: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-number

 

[Zim]

it means that it is not cheap!