Manual Exposure a Challenge? Jiffy Calculator Can Help

[Mr. Pickles]

Need a take along device that could help you with MANUAL Exposure values when shooting in different conditions? If so, maybe the DIY device made from the link below will help.

It is called the Jiffy Calculator, and when the device is ready to go, you read the back of the Jiffy Calculator and find the Scene that is the closest to the scene you are attempting to shoot. Remember the number of the scene, and flip the Jiffy Calculator over. Line the ISO speed of your camera (100, 400, etc) up with the scene number. Now look on the right side. Find either the Shutter Speed or F/Stop (Aperture) you want to use and the other number is there. Set your camera's Manual controls to these values, and you are in business.

Note that you can use the EV values from the backside if you do not want to use Scenes.

Ready to play?

Jiffy Calculator PDF Image

Print the image from the link above (8.5" x 11" or if you want bigger (eyesight) then use larger paper) and then you can make your own sliding device. I would print it on heavy card stock (very heavy?). Either do it yourself or have a print shop do it for you.

Cut out the slider (rectangular portion on the left - approx 3" x 7") as one piece. The double rectangle/square on the right side is cut out as ONE piece (about 6.5" x 7"). That means do NOT cut it down the middle. You take a knife or x-acto blade and cut out the two little rectangles on the one side. One says Film Speed and one says Shutter Speed. Cut out the little half moons on the top and bottom too.

You fold this whole section down the middle (between the cut-out portion and the text backside. There is a angled tab on the left side, and you fold that over and glue the whole thing together, but the tab goes on the INSIDE.

Next you take the Slider piece and put it inside the "box" you just made. Slide it up and down accordingly and whammo, your good.

I did not make the Jiffy Calculator, so do not shoot the messenger as I'm just passing along the info, but it is a very cool device to have around in your camera bag...

[aam1234]

The Mods are spamming now? The write up looks like a spam, Mr.P.

[Mr. Pickles]

Then don't build your own.

But it is there to help photographers. After 2 years of being here helping, if I wanted to spam, I'd get you way better than this....

[johnnyjlopez]

Thanks!!

[jfrancho]

Sounds like the DIY version of the metering in old rangefinder cameras. I guess it would be useful if your meter failed. But then I'd think if that was gone, so would the camera. I might have time to try this anyway. Looks cool - thanks!

[Mr. Pickles]

Some don't trust their meter, or their metering mode or know what that is. Some like cool things. Some like things that help.

This fits a lot of those things....

[jfrancho]

I couldn't take a picture without trusting, doubting or knowing my camera's meterring system. But then again, I'm weird - I look for trout on stream banks

[Mr. Pickles]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

I couldn't take a picture without trusting, doubting or knowing my camera's meterring system. But then again, I'm weird - I look for trout on stream banks

I know all of that. But some can't even spell metering right , let alone know how it all works to their advantage....this can take some guess work out and invite some "fun"...?

[jfrancho]

LOL. Yes, I agree, which is why I'll play with it.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

But then again, I'm weird - I look for trout on stream banks

Why would trout be on stream banks? I look for them in the water...from stream banks.

[jfrancho]

You're wrong Brian, as Pickles has pointed out to me several times, they are on the banks:

http://plan-b.smugmug.com/photos/222407041_yDzou-M.jpg
http://plan-b.smugmug.com/photos/242590889_AST68-M.jpg
http://plan-b.smugmug.com/photos/224021817_rAPoX-M.jpg
http://plan-b.smugmug.com/photos/245019044_BptHc-M.jpg
http://plan-b.smugmug.com/photos/252900414_dmtJR-M.jpg
http://plan-b.smugmug.com/photos/252899874_k8fPT-M.jpg
http://plan-b.smugmug.com/photos/245018673_3xK7X-M.jpg

[aam1234]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

if I wanted to spam, I'd get you way better than this....

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

You're wrong Brian, as Pickles has pointed out to me several times, they are on the banks:

LOL...yeah, but if you're LOOKING for them there...you need to do something different with your technique.

[jfrancho]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

LOL...yeah, but if you're LOOKING for them there...you need to do something different with your technique.

As you can probably imagine, fishing for me is definitely not as simple as sitting on an overturned bucket tossing a baited hook into the water and waiting