Bracketing calculator
Shutter speeds for a bracketed set around your meter reading.
About this tool
Bracketing shoots the same scene at several exposures to guarantee one is right, which matters on film because you cannot check instantly. This tool takes your base exposure, a step size in stops, and the number of frames, then lists a bracketed set of shutter and aperture values. It is a safety net for high-contrast or once-only shots.
How to use it
- Enter your base exposure as a shutter and aperture pair.
- Choose the step size in stops between each frame, such as half or one stop.
- Enter how many frames you want in the bracket.
- Read the list of shutter and aperture values and shoot them in order.
FAQ
How many frames should I bracket?
Three is common: one metered, one over, and one under. Use five frames or wider steps for very high-contrast or critical scenes.
Should I vary shutter or aperture when bracketing?
Change shutter speed if you want depth of field to stay constant, and change aperture only when motion blur must not vary.