Sunny 16 onwards

[Don Mills]

Suggest you check ebay for a black cat exposure guide. It's based on the sunny 16 principle, and covers a huge range of lighting conditions [fireworks, moonlit scenes, etc.]. I love it, and it cost less than $10!

 

[Stephen Benskin]

try http://www.opticsinfobase.org/abstract.cfm?id=77557

God, I love the internet, but $22.00. For that price, though, I still love university libraries and Xerox.

 

[rhys]

Yes. $22 is a bit steep when the Kodak guide (which should contain everything) is just $3 on ebay!

 

[Bill Mitchell]

"Sunny 16" doesn't apply everywhere. Here is South Florida it is "Sunny 22." YMMV, depending on where you are shooting.

 

[Dave Miller]

Hi,

I used the sunny 16 (or even 22) rule a lot in South Africa (using a meterless Praktica) , but since moving to England my meters seem to suggest that, especially in winter (even mid day), a sunny 11 rule is probably more realistic. I did not follow all the links, so apologies if this was covered elsewhere; just interested if others have had similar experience.

You are quite right Erwin. Sunny 11 is generally much more appropriate here in England unless you are on the coast in summertime. I'm not sure why, it may be the high level of water vapour reducing solar gain.

 

[Stephen Benskin]

The Sunny 16 rule doesn't state that it applies to all situations at all times. It's concerns average conditions. So, the whole "not in my neck of the woods" exception argument is kind of superfluous.

One problem with rules of thumb, Kodaks Exposure Guide, or the Black Cat Guide is that they don't give any reasoning. The ANSI Exposure Guide gives charts showing the change of light conditions at different latitudes, at different times for day, and at different times of year. It also offers the variations do to weather conditions. It's said that if you use that guide correctly and your light meter disagrees with it, your light meter is wrong.

Most Sunny 16 discussions just dance around the concept, which at its heart is exposure theory, instead of delving into what it's about and where it comes from. Let's not forget, Sunny 16 rule has more assumptions to it than just Sunny. What is considered the average daylight illuminance? At what solar altitude? Under what sun, subject, camera interrelationship? What is the intended camera illuminance? Where on the film's curve should exposure fall? Among other questions.

 

[rhys]

Yes. I agree. It's obvious that Sunny 16 would be different in the Sahara from Sunderland and different again in Fairbanks.

I've had a quick look on the ANSI site for mention of the ANSI exposure guide but haven't found it yet.

 

[DBP]

If you hunt around a bit, you can find vintage photo slide rules, though almost all seem to include the safety factor in the initial ASA standard.