Now onto how to solve the basic problem of determining luminance range.
The interact quiz will present you with a theoretical subject that has been
metered in the shadow area and in the highlight area. The results are returned
as Fstop numbers. The lower f- number is the shadow reading. The higher f-number
is the highlight reading. The first level quiz assumes that the other variables of exposure
are constant between the two subject area (for instance: both shadow and highlight are
metered at the same shutter speed and filmspeed).

Here is a sample quiz:

Shadow Meters: F-5.6
Highlight Meters: F-32


What is the luminance range?
Start with a list of fstops: (memorize this list)
F1.4  f2  f2.8  f4  f5.6  f8  f11  f16  f22  f32  f45  f64  f90


Mentally mark the lower f-number (the shadow) as '0':
F1.4  f2  f2.8  f4  f5.6  f8  f11  f16  f22  f32  f45  f64  f90
                     0
                   Shadow


Count along the scale until you reach the higher f-number (the highlight):
F1.4  f2  f2.8  f4  f5.6  f8  f11  f16  f22  f32  f45  f64  f90
                     0     1   2    3     4    5
                   Shadow                  Highlight



This subject has a 5-stop luminance range.
                    

Got it? Great. Click the button below to start working with luminance range.
You can always return to this page if you need help remembering Fstops.