Photography & Imaging
Intermediate

Exposure Value (EV)

Combines aperture and shutter speed into one exposure figure.

Formula

EV=log2 ⁣(N2t)EV = \log_2\!\left(\frac{N^2}{t}\right)

Variables

EVExposure value
NF-number
tShutter time (s)

Example

f/4, 1/60 s: EV = log2(16×60) ≈ 9.9

Did You Know?

EV 0 is defined as f/1.0 at 1 second — every whole EV step up halves the light reaching the sensor.

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