Outdoor F8 rule for quick decent exposures
Outdoor F8 Rule
Get acceptable exposure without fuss!The Issues
Don't let complex metering issues get in the way of taking acceptable images without fuss. The 'F8’ rule is a method of getting reasonable daylight exposures without a light meter. The rule is based on incident light rather than reflected light so the intricacies of the 'zone system' and other systems invented to confuse things don't apply. Reflected light meters can lead to a black cat becoming grey and the white villages of Spain also becoming grey. You have to compensate for the nature of the subject. With incident light systems, this does not happen. The rule works well for negative film which has a lot of latitude, but not so well for colour slide film where more accurate exposure is desirable.
The Solution
"f/8 and be there" is an expression that indicates the importance of taking the opportunity for a picture rather than being too concerned about using the best settings.
There is no complicated photographic technique here. Just set the aperture to f/8 and the shutter speed to the reciprocal of the film ISO you are using, then "be there" in the right place at the right time. If you can adjust the focus, set it to the hyperfocal distance.
Aperture set at f/8 is considered in photography to be a general-purpose aperture. With the aperture set to f/8 it allows sufficient light to enter for exposure but not so much as to bleach the picture. Then set the focus of the lens to the hyperfocal distance. The hyperfocal distance gives the widest depth of field.
For example, if you are using ISO 100 film, then set your shutter speed to 1/100s (or as close as possible) and your aperture to f/8.
This works due to the latitude of negative film. In bright sunshine, your film will be 2 stops overexposed whereas in overcast weather your film will be exposed correctly. In heavy overcast conditions, your film will be 1 stop underexposed. Modern films can deal with this variation easily, even when developed normally.