Juanita asks:

Hi,

I have a question about this. My camera’s lowest ISO speed is 200 so I took several pictures set at that. Can I still submit photos?

Thanks.

Thanks for your question, Juanita!  I’ve already emailed you, but I figured that others may have the same question, so I thought I’d post my reply here, as well.  We’d love to see everyone’s photos, provided they fall within the guidelines and are appropriate for the tutorial.  My camera’s lowest ISO is 200, as well - I just compensate the rule to work within that setting.  So, instead of the rule settings of f/16 and 1/125 sec. for ISO 100, I shoot at f/16 and 1/250 sec. for ISO 200.  Hope that is helpful!

Jennifer asks:

Hi there. If I want to set my aperture to F2, then my shutter speed should be 1/8000, not 1/4000, right? Also, if I am shooting with 400 iso film, then at f2 my shutter speed would be 1/3200?

Thanks!

Thanks for your question, Jennifer.  You are correct – when calculating for the Sunny f/16 rule, if you are shooting at ISO 100 and want to use an aperture of f/2, then your shutter speed would be 1/8000.  If you are using an ISO of 400, you may not be able to use such a wide aperture, unless it is a very overcast day.  Here’s why:

The following settings would be equivalent to f/16, 1/500 s.*, at ISO 400 :

f/11 > 1/1000
f/8 > 1/2000
f/5.6 > 1/4000
f/4 > 1/8000

To date, I haven’t heard of a consumer camera with a shutter speed faster than 1/8000 s., so according to this, if you are using ISO 400, in a bright, sunny location, your widest aperture may be f/4.  This, of course, can change with lighting, as I mentioned.  If it’s overcast, you may be able to open up your aperture two more stops to f/2 and use 1/8000 s. and achieve proper exposure.

(*Please note that I use 1/500 s. for my shutter speed as it is the closest speed to 1/400, not including 1/2 and 1/3 stops)

Hope that helps!  Please leave me a comment with your questions, or send an email to sue(AT)canadianscrapbooker(DOT)ca.

Cheers!