EXPOSURE VALUE what number for various subjects.
Feb 3, 2024 15:05:31 #
Tedcritch wrote:
Well there is the old sunny 16 rule. That’s as good as any for a sanity check or a starting point when in doubt. But why not just use the camera’s exposure meter for a starting place?Looking for advice on selecting EV values to use for different subjects, and is there a good middle of the road value for acceptable brightness when in doubt
Feb 3, 2024 15:08:15 #
JD750 wrote:
Well there is the old sunny 16 rule. That’s as good as any for a sanity check or a starting point when in doubt. But why not just use the camera’s exposure meter for a starting place?
Well that what I recommended at first but now I think the OP is using a Kowa medium format film camera and it has no meter.
Feb 3, 2024 22:25:35 #
RodeoMan
Loc: St Joseph, Missouri
BobHartung wrote:
Do you really have any concept of the variability of lighting conditions or subject reflectivity. This truly is an inane and unanswerable question!
This is for TedCrich, new user who just joined us on February 1, about three or four days ago and whom I suspect will read all the responses to his question.. Ted, I was about to reply directly to you that if you are new to photography don't expect to feel welcomed and included on this forum. Mr Hartung has been at this for such a long duration that he evidently feels he can make a snide remark to a newcomer who has the temerity to seek information. He is not the only person of such ilk on this forum, you will have a chance to meet them. I will say that there are people, some actual professionals, who will do their best to help you. I won't mention their names here because I don't want them mentioned with this reply.
Mr Hartung your response says so much more about you as a person than Ted's question will ever say about him.
Feb 4, 2024 01:41:05 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I wondered about that too. And for those cameras there is Sekonic. ;)Well that what I recommended at first but now I think the OP is using a Kowa medium format film camera and it has no meter.
Feb 4, 2024 01:44:10 #
Tedcritch has not replied to any of the posts leaving us to chat among ourselves. Not that I don't enjoy the company, I do, but for me it's time to unwatch this thread.
Feb 4, 2024 02:13:01 #
That’s like asking how fast to drive a car. Where? A school zone? Daytona? Freeway? Through town? It all depends.
Suggest you study the exposure triangle, proper use of histogram and a whole bunch more.
The idea is to make an exposure that captures the spectrum of colors, from black to white, but not over expose or “blow” the highlights making the pic unusable. Of course there’s more to it.
If you’re using a camera with no exposure meter I suggest you reconsider that and simplify to a camera that does. Take away the unnecessary complications to find the elegant solution.
Suggest you study the exposure triangle, proper use of histogram and a whole bunch more.
The idea is to make an exposure that captures the spectrum of colors, from black to white, but not over expose or “blow” the highlights making the pic unusable. Of course there’s more to it.
If you’re using a camera with no exposure meter I suggest you reconsider that and simplify to a camera that does. Take away the unnecessary complications to find the elegant solution.
Feb 4, 2024 08:18:17 #
F-stops for a medium format camera are not the same as the f-stops for a 35mm camera (what we call "full frame"). Any mention of aperture and shutter speed values that apply to 35mm cameras are not relevant to medium format cameras. For example, Sunny 16 is appropriate for 35mm (full frame) cameras but not for medium format cameras. Film speed is another factor that affects the relationship between scene brightness and the required Ev.
Scene brightness can vary hugely and there is no such thing as a general purpose Ev value. The best thing you can do is get a list of Lv values for different scenes (i.e. different light conditions) and then work out how Lv relates to Ev for that particular camera and film speed. The Lv values relate to just the scene brightness and are independent of the camera and film speed being used.
Scene brightness can vary hugely and there is no such thing as a general purpose Ev value. The best thing you can do is get a list of Lv values for different scenes (i.e. different light conditions) and then work out how Lv relates to Ev for that particular camera and film speed. The Lv values relate to just the scene brightness and are independent of the camera and film speed being used.
Feb 4, 2024 08:21:21 #
R.G. wrote:
F-stops for a medium format camera are not the sam... (show quote)
Sunny 16 is for all formats from 8x10 to 110. If you said the 1/ASA shutter speed and f/16 for sunny 16 only applies to 35mm then what is the setting for medium format in the same lighting condition?
Feb 4, 2024 08:33:47 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Sunny 16 is for all formats from 8x10 to 110. If you said the 1/ASA shutter speed and f/16 for sunny 16 only applies to 35mm then what is the setting for medium format in the same lighting condition?
Just checked and you're right, Sunny 16 does apply to MF. I guess I was thinking about the differences in f-stop between the two. A scene's DOF requirements indicate one f-stop value for 35mm and another f-stop value for MF.
Feb 4, 2024 09:29:52 #
R.G. wrote:
Just checked and you're right, Sunny 16 does apply to MF. I guess I was thinking about the differences in f-stop between the two. A scene's DOF requirements indicate one f-stop value for 35mm and another f-stop value for MF.
Take a look at Exposure value
It's universal, otherwise we would have had to replace all of our hand-held meters when digital came out.
Look at the References section and you will see, "Jones, Loyd A., and H. R. Condit. 1941. "The Brightness Scale of Exterior Scenes and the Computation of Correct Photographic Exposure". Journal of the Optical Society of America 31:11, Nov. 1941, 651–678."
That's long before anyone came up with "Sunny 16" or the "Exposure triangle".
It applies to all film and digital formats.
Feb 4, 2024 10:46:52 #
selmslie wrote:
... It's universal....
In that case it looks like all the OP needs is a simple table or list that equates Ev values to different lighting conditions.
Feb 4, 2024 10:48:51 #
R.G. wrote:
In that case it looks like all the OP needs is a simple table or list that equates Ev values to different lighting conditions.
I gave him a list already. I post it again
Using the Kodak daylight exposure table for ISO 400
* Bright or hazy sun on bright sand o snow EV18
* Bright or hazy sun (distinct shadows) EV17, EV16 for backlighted subject
* Cloudy bright (no shadows) EV15
* Heavy overcast EV14
* Open shade EV14
Good middle of the road would be an imitation of the instamatic camera with no exposure control EV16.
If you use ISO100 film subtract 2 from the ISO400 EV.
Feb 4, 2024 12:02:16 #
R.G. wrote:
In that case it looks like all the OP needs is a simple table or list that equates Ev values to different lighting conditions.
Or just an incident light meter.
Feb 4, 2024 12:03:54 #
selmslie wrote:
Or just an incident light meter.
I am making one but it's too big. I am working on making it's small enough.
Feb 4, 2024 12:10:22 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I am making one but it's too big. I am working on making it's small enough.
You can get a light meter app for your smartphone.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.