Find Your Settings
Recommended Settings
Select lighting and click calculate to see settings.
Saved Scenarios
No saved scenarios yet. Save your first calculation above.
How ExposureCalc Helps
Taking photos in manual mode means balancing three camera settings. This calculator shows you which combinations work together. Pick a lighting preset, tell us what matters most to you, and get specific numbers for your camera.
Using This Calculator
Start by choosing your lighting condition. The presets cover common situations from bright sun to night streets. If your light is unusual, enter a custom lux value. Next, tell us your creative goal. Want sharp backgrounds? Select depth of field. Want to freeze action? Choose motion. Need clean high-ISO shots? Pick low noise.
The calculator respects your limits. Set a maximum ISO to avoid grainy photos. Set a minimum shutter speed to prevent camera shake. These constraints help you get settings that actually work in the field.
Example Scenarios
For landscape photography on a partly cloudy day, you might want everything sharp from foreground to horizon. Set lighting to partly cloudy, priority to depth of field. The calculator gives you f/8 to f/11 with a moderate shutter speed.
For sports indoors under artificial light, motion matters most. Set lighting to indoors, priority to motion. You will see faster shutter speeds with higher ISO values. This keeps players sharp while accepting some noise.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many photographers forget that doubling ISO compensates for half the light. If your first shot is underexposed, try ISO 1600 instead of 800. The calculator shows these relationships clearly.
Also, check your camera's histogram after shooting. The calculator gives mathematically correct settings, but your scene might need exposure compensation for unusual lighting or subject reflectance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exposure triangle? Aperture controls how much light enters. Shutter speed controls how long light hits the sensor. ISO controls sensor sensitivity. All three affect exposure, so changing one means adjusting others.
How accurate are the lighting presets? They use typical lux values measured in real conditions. Actual light varies by exact location and time. Use presets as starting points and adjust based on your scene.
Can I use this for video? Yes. For video, prioritize shutter speeds around 1/50 or 1/60 second for natural motion blur at 24fps or 30fps. The calculator respects these constraints.