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City Center Plaza
10 E. College Avenue Appleton, WI
Downtown Appleton
920-733-5885
pmurraympv@aol.com
Store Hours:
Mon 9:30am - 5:00pm
Tue 9:30am - 3:00pm
Wed 9:30am - 5:00pm
Thu 9:30am - 5:00pm
Fri 9:30am - 5:00pm
Sat 10:00am - 2:00pm
Sun Closed
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F16 Sunny Rule For Exposure
The f16 Sunny Rule is a simple exposure guide for setting the correct exposure on your camera when photographing subjects lit by sunlight. The rule says when photographing at f16, the correct shutter speed is the reciprocal of the ISO setting. For example, when photographing at f16 and using an ISO of 100, the correct shutter speed is 1/100 (1/60 when using a mechanical camera). It's that simple.
Note:
When photographing in shade, use a 18% gray card or light meter.
Nikon D600 with 105mm lens f11 1/50 second and Polarizing filter and yes a good tripod. Remember to slow the shutter speed two stops when using a polarizing filter.
F16 Sunny Rule When Using 100 ISO
Lens Digital Camera Mechanical Camera
Aperture Shutter Speed Shutter Speed
f22 1/50 1/30
f16 1/100 1/60
f11 1/200 1/125
f8 1/400 1/250
f5.6 1/800 1/500
f4 1/1600 1/1000
f2.8 1/3200 1/2000
F16 Sunny Rule When Using 400 ISO
Lens Digital Camera Mechanical Camera
Aperture Shutter Speed Shutter Speed
f22 1/200 1/125
f16 1/400 1/250
f11 1/800 1/500
f8 1/1600 1/1000
Fine Tuning The f16 Sunny Rule
In most cases, the f16 sunny rule works perfectly. Some films and digital cameras are not accurate for the ISO that is selected.
For example, Kodak TMax 100 black and white film works best when set to ISO 64. Yes there can be variations on film developing but in general, 64 ISO is suggested.
For other films please call us.
I have also found that some digital cameras are not accurate. To find your own f16 rule, photograph a scene that is in full sunlight with lots of colors and tones in the photo. Try also to include a good white and black for reference.
Set your ISO to 100
Shoot a series of exposures:
f16 at 1/50
f16 at 1/60
f16 at 1/90
f16 at 1/100
f16 at 1/125
f16 at 1/160
Now look at the test photos on your computer monitor (assuming your monitor is not to old and worn out and has been warmed up a bit).
Pick the best looking photo to your taste. That selected shutter speed is your f16 rule.
Questions or comments?
Give us a call at 920-733-5885 or Email: pmurraympv@aol.com
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