Shutter Time Calculator

Calculate the optimal shutter speed for proper exposure based on aperture and ISO settings.

Input Parameters

EV = Exposure Value. 0 is normal exposure, positive values increase exposure, negative values decrease exposure.

Calculation Results

Calculation Formula

Shutter Speed = ISO × 2EV - Aperture

Where:
- ISO is your camera's sensor sensitivity
- EV is the desired exposure value
- Aperture is the f-number setting

Shutter Time Calculator Calculator Usage Guide

Learn how to use the Shutter Time Calculator to achieve proper exposure in your photography

How to Use the Calculator

  1. Enter your camera's ISO setting (typically 100, 200, 400, etc.)
  2. Set your desired exposure value (EV). A value of 0 represents normal exposure. Positive values will make the image brighter, while negative values will make it darker.
  3. Specify your current aperture setting (f-stop value)
  4. Click the "Calculate" button to determine the appropriate shutter speed
  5. The calculator will show you the calculated shutter speed and suggest optimal settings to achieve your desired exposure

Understanding Exposure Values (EV)

Exposure Value is a way to express how much light reaches your camera's sensor. It's based on three factors: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

Each increase of 1 EV doubles the amount of light, while each decrease of 1 EV halves it. This logarithmic scale allows photographers to easily calculate how changing one setting will affect the overall exposure when adjusting others.

Practical Examples

  • Low Light Photography: If you're shooting in low light and want to avoid motion blur, you might set a high ISO (like 1600) and aperture (f/2.8). The calculator will help determine how slow you can safely set your shutter speed without overexposing the image.
  • Action Photography: To freeze motion in sports photography, you'll want a fast shutter speed. The calculator can help you determine what aperture and ISO settings you'll need to achieve this while maintaining proper exposure.
  • Landscape Photography: For landscapes, you typically want a smaller aperture (higher f-number) to achieve deep depth of field. The calculator can help you determine the appropriate shutter speed and ISO to avoid underexposure.

Important Notes

The calculator provides theoretical calculations. In practice, other factors like lens diffraction limits (at very small apertures) and sensor capabilities may affect optimal settings.

Remember that faster shutter speeds will freeze motion but may require wider apertures or higher ISOs, while slower shutter speeds can create motion blur (which can be artistic in certain situations like long exposure photography).