Appendix 1: Measuring Light Levels with a Camera

Equipment Required

• 35 millimetre camera with a built-in light meter; and
• white cardboard (about 30 - 40 square centimetres).

Method

• place the cardboard in the same position and at the same angle as the object or area that is being measured;
• set the camera to 800 ASA and without casting a shadow on the white cardboard, take an f-stop and shutter speed reading with the camera;
• the cardboard should fill the frame in the viewfinder of the camera; and
• use the coordinates obtained to determine the light level using the table shown below (for example, f8 at 1/30 sec = 700 lux).

The values quoted in the table were obtained using a Gossen Lunasix 3 light meter, cross referenced with a range of Nikon cameras. Regard the readings as approximations only.