Sunny 16 Rule for Film Exposure

 

Normal sunny sky - f16 and the reciprocal of your films speed (asa/iso). Example: for 100 asa film set your exposure to f16 and 1/100 second or the closest speed on your camera to 1/100 second.

 

Adjust the above for changing light conditions as follows:

Snow, sand +1 stop
Light overcast -2 stops
Dark overcast -3 stops
Sunrise -2 stops
Sunset -3 stops
Twilight -4 stops
Interior, bright -7 stops
Interior, average -9 stops
Stage, spotlight -8 stops
Street, bright -7 stops
Night sports -7 stops

 

I usually make a little card that fits into the film tab holder on the back of my cameras with the above information on it.

 

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