Exposure Calculator
Compute aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure value (EV). Use the Sunny 16 preset or find equivalent exposures.
Calculate EV
Find Settings
f
Lighting Presets
Exposure Value (EV)
12.0
f/5.6, 1/125 s, ISO 100
Formula
EV = log₂(N² / t)
EV at ISO 100
12.0
Equivalent Exposure
f/8 @ 1/60
Exposure Formulas
EV = log₂(N² / t)
EVISO = EV100 + log₂(ISO/100)
N² / t = 2EV × (ISO/100) (for scene luminance)
N – f‑number (aperture)
t – shutter speed in seconds
ISO – film/sensor sensitivity
EV – exposure value (at ISO 100)
t – shutter speed in seconds
ISO – film/sensor sensitivity
EV – exposure value (at ISO 100)
People Also Ask
📷 What is exposure value (EV) in photography?
☀️ How does the Sunny 16 rule work?
🔄 How to calculate equivalent exposure?
📊 What is the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO?
🌙 What are typical EV values for different lighting?
⚙️ How to use this calculator for manual mode?
Understanding Exposure
Exposure is the amount of light reaching the camera sensor, determined by aperture (f‑stop), shutter speed, and ISO. These three settings work together: changing one requires adjusting another to maintain the same exposure (reciprocity).
The Exposure Triangle
Aperture controls depth of field and light intensity. Shutter speed controls motion blur and light duration. ISO controls sensor sensitivity (but adds noise). Balancing these gives creative control.
Typical Exposure Values (ISO 100)
| Lighting Condition | EV | Example (f/stop, shutter) |
|---|---|---|
| Bright sun (distinct shadows) | 15 | f/16 @ 1/125 |
| Hazy sun (soft shadows) | 14 | f/11 @ 1/125 |
| Cloudy bright (no shadows) | 13 | f/8 @ 1/125 |
| Heavy overcast | 12 | f/5.6 @ 1/125 |
| Open shade | 11 | f/4 @ 1/125 |
| Indoor (well-lit) | 7-9 | f/2.8 @ 1/60 |
| Night (city lights) | 3-5 | f/2 @ 1/30 |
Detailed FAQs
What does EV mean in photography?
Exposure Value (EV) is a number that represents a combination of aperture and shutter speed at ISO 100. Higher EV means brighter scene or more light. EV 0 corresponds to f/1.0 @ 1 second.
How do I use the Sunny 16 rule?
On a sunny day, set aperture to f/16 and shutter speed to the reciprocal of ISO (e.g., ISO 100 → 1/100 s). Then adjust for other conditions: f/11 for hazy, f/8 for cloudy, etc. Our presets help.