 BetterPhoto Member |
Sunny 16 Settings I just learned about the Sunny 16 rule. If you are to use an aperture of 16, while shooting at a shutter speed of 1/film speed, which settings work best when using 400 speed film? Would it be better to use a shutter speed of 350 or 500? I've never tried the Sunny 16 rule, and I'll be using the technique for action shots. The faster shutter speed I realize is probably better for the action, but was just curious if it would hinder the quality.
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John A. Lind |
Lyle, 1/500th is only 1/3 stop less exposure and usually isn't enough to make a difference. I haven't seen a camera body with 1/350th on it! Usually it runs from 1/125th to 1/250th to 1/500th to 1/1000th second. Was this a "typo" in your question? 1/250th would be 2/3 stop overexposure, therefore 1/500th is closer. If you are using ISO 400 film, you can trade f-stops for faster shutter speeds: f/16 @ 1/500th This rule presumes a bright sunny day with the subject directly lit by direct sun between about an hour after dawn and about an hour before sunset. This gets modified for additional exposure if there is overcast or if the subject is in shade. -- John
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Jeff S. Kennedy |
Most modern electronic cameras have goofy shutter speeds like 1/350th some may even have 1/400th. Of course my old RB67 has a top speed of 1/400th but I digress. Unless you are shooting slide film though, whether you shoot at 1/350th or 1/500th you probably won't see much difference. On older cameras the speeds went from 1/250th to 1/500th and the choice was easier. But when its all said and done if you are using negative film it is best to err on the side of overexposure so I would recommend 1/350th in that instance.
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Frank Greer |
there is an old exposure guide that is credited to the Weston brothers that takes the sunny 16 rule to the next step. The last time I saw the guide was in the Signal Corps Photographers Manual of 1960 it basicly set up the lighting conditions across the top from bright sun .cloudy bright, average(with shadow) open shade. on the left side in colum were the followig as I recall Beach sceans (to include water),bright sceans (light color clothing,and other highly reflective surfaces,average sceans(people and the everyday things),and last was listed as dull(military vehicles cars with basis paint and such. You next started with your max F/stop example F/32 in the upper laft hand corner and as you went l to R you went down in F/stops or as you went stright down the left side you also went down in F/stops. The shutter speed was the ASA or ISO of the film. Over the years since I learned this I have many times in the heat of taking pictures in combat and as a news photographer relied on the as a quick check of what my lightmeter was telling me and have at times saved the photo as the light meter can be folled but the eye see's all
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