1Sunny Day (f/8, 1/250, ISO 100)
Inputs
Aperturef/8
Shutter1/250
ISO100
Result
Exposure ValueEV 14
EV = log₂(64/0.004) = log₂(16000) = 13.97 ≈ 14. Bright daylight conditions.
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Exposure Calculator — Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO Triangle
Exposure Value
EV 10.9
Light
Overcast / Shade
EV100
10.9
Exposure Value
EV 10.9
Overcast / Shade
Aperture
f/5.6
Shutter
1/60
ISO
100
Current Settings
EV at ISO 10010.9
EV at ISO 10010.9
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Digital Illuminance Light Meter Tester 200,000Lux Meter (18,500FC) Luxmeter Lighting Intensity Brightness Measurement Tool for Indoor Outdoor Grow Plants Film Photography lumens LED Photometer
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Sekonic L-308X-U Flashmate Light Meter, Compact Digital Incident & Reflected Exposure Meter with Photo, Cine & HD Cine Modes, LCD Auto Backlight, Illuminance Measurement, Pocket-Sized Design
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View on AmazonLight Meter Digital Illuminance Meter Handheld Ambient Temperature Measurer, Range up to 200,000 Lux, Luxmeter with 4 Digit Color LCD Screen
$29.98
View on AmazonDigital Illuminance Light Meter Tester 200,000Lux Meter (18,500FC) Luxmeter Lighting Intensity Brightness Measurement Tool for Indoor Outdoor Grow Plants Film Photography lumens LED Photometer
$12.99
View on AmazonSekonic L-308X-U Flashmate Light Meter, Compact Digital Incident & Reflected Exposure Meter with Photo, Cine & HD Cine Modes, LCD Auto Backlight, Illuminance Measurement, Pocket-Sized Design
$269.00
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Price as of Jul 24, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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Example Calculations
2Indoor Scene (f/2.8, 1/60, ISO 800)
Inputs
Aperturef/2.8
Shutter1/60
ISO800
Result
Exposure ValueEV 5.9
EV100 = log₂(7.84/0.0167) = 8.9. With ISO 800: EV = 8.9 - 3 = 5.9. Indoor dim lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat is Exposure Value (EV)?
EV is a number representing a combination of aperture and shutter speed at ISO 100. EV 0 = f/1.0 at 1 second. Each +1 EV halves the light (one stop brighter scene). Sunny day = EV 15, indoor room = EV 7-8.
- EV 15: Bright sun, clear sky
- EV 12-14: Daylight, light overcast
- EV 9-11: Heavy overcast, shade
- EV 6-8: Well-lit interiors
- EV 3-5: Dim interiors
- EV 0-2: Night scenes
| EV | Scene | f/8 Shutter (ISO 100) | f/2.8 Shutter (ISO 100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EV 15 | Sunny | 1/500 | 1/4000 |
| EV 12 | Overcast | 1/60 | 1/500 |
| EV 8 | Indoor | 1/4 | 1/30 |
| EV 3 | Dim room | 4s | 1/2 |
QHow does the exposure triangle work?
Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO each control one stop of light. Changing one requires compensating with another to maintain exposure. f/4 to f/5.6 = -1 stop, so shutter 1/125 to 1/60 = +1 stop to compensate.
- Aperture: controls depth of field + light
- Shutter: controls motion blur + light
- ISO: controls noise + light sensitivity
- Each full stop = 2× or 0.5× light
- Reciprocity: changing one requires adjusting another
QWhat is ISO and how high can I go?
ISO controls sensor sensitivity. ISO 100 = cleanest. Each doubling (100→200→400) adds 1 stop of light but also noise. Modern cameras are usable to ISO 3200-6400. Full frame sensors handle higher ISO better than crop.
- ISO 100-400: Clean images, ideal for daylight
- ISO 800-1600: Indoor, some noise
- ISO 3200-6400: Low light, visible noise
- ISO 12800+: Emergency only, significant noise
- Full frame: ~1 stop better noise than APS-C
QWhat aperture should I use for landscapes?
f/8-f/11 gives the sharpest results on most lenses (sweet spot). f/16+ causes diffraction softening. Use f/11 for front-to-back sharpness and focus at hyperfocal distance. Wide apertures (f/2.8) only for astrophotography.
- f/8-f/11: Sharpest overall, ideal for landscapes
- f/16: Maximum depth of field but diffraction
- f/22: Avoid unless you need star-burst effects
- f/2.8-f/4: Astrophotography, night sky
- Focus at hyperfocal distance for max sharpness
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Last Updated: Jul 24, 2026
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.