Sunny 16 exposure calculator
Pick your light and film speed to get a starting exposure.
About this tool
This tool applies the Sunny 16 rule to suggest working shutter and aperture pairs for a given lighting condition and film speed. You pick the light (bright sun, hazy, cloudy, shade) and your ISO, and it returns equivalent exposure combinations. It is essential when your camera has no meter or the battery is dead.
How to use it
- Choose the lighting condition that matches your scene, such as bright sun, hazy sun, or overcast.
- Select the ISO of the film loaded in your camera.
- Read the suggested shutter and aperture pairs the tool produces.
- Pick the pair that fits your desired depth of field or motion, then set it on your camera.
FAQ
What is the basic Sunny 16 rule?
In bright sunlight, set your aperture to f/16 and your shutter speed to roughly one over the ISO. For ISO 100 that means f/16 at about 1/125s.
Do I still need a light meter if I use this?
Not for typical daylight scenes, but the rule assumes front-lit outdoor subjects. For indoor, night, or tricky mixed light a meter is still more reliable.