Interactive Exposure Triangle & ND Filter Calculator
Enter your metered baseline exposure, choose whether to solve for shutter speed, ISO, or aperture, and optionally add an ND filter (2 to 10 stops) for long-exposure waterfalls or 180° cinema shutter speeds.
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Stops down to f/8 and adds an ND64 (6-stop) filter to turn 1/1000s into a smooth 0.5s waterfall exposure.
1. Baseline (Metered) Exposure Settings
Light Level: 12.9 EV₁₀₀4. Your Target Creative Settings
Equivalent New Shutter Speed
1/122 sec
This setting keeps the exact same total light hitting your camera sensor as your baseline exposure (`ISO 100 · f/2.8 · 1/1000`).
The exposure triangle & ND filter math
Every camera exposure balances three variables—plus any optical filtration on the front of your lens:
- ISO — sensor gain. Higher ISO lets you shoot in dim gyms or clubs, while base ISO (100) maximizes dynamic range.
- Aperture (f-number) — lens opening diameter. Moving from f/4 to f/2.8 doubles the light hitting the sensor; moving from f/4 to f/1.4 multiplies light by 8×.
- Shutter speed — exposure duration. Use 1/1000s+ for sports, 1/125s for 60fps video, or 0.5s–30s with an ND filter for silky water and light trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate shutter speed with a 6-stop (ND64) or 10-stop (ND1000) ND filter?
Each stop of neutral density doubles your required exposure time ($2^n$). A 6-stop ND64 filter multiplies your shutter time by 64× (turning 1/125s into 0.5 seconds), while a 10-stop ND1000 filter multiplies your shutter time by 1,024× (turning 1/125s into 8 seconds).
What is the 180-degree shutter speed rule for 4K video?
To keep motion blur natural in video, set your shutter speed denominator to double your frame rate: 1/50s for 24fps and 1/125s for 60fps. In daylight, use an ND8 to ND64 filter so you can keep your lens at f/1.8–f/2.8 without overexposing.