Some Often-Used and Confused Numbers in Cinematography:

F/T stops: 1, 1.4 ,2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32,

Frames per Sec.:FPS 24,30,48,64,80,96,120,128,250,360,500,1000,2500

Slower Movie Frames per Sec.: FPS 24, 20, 16, 12, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2

Movie Camera Shutter Angles: 234,210,180,144,90,73,45,22.5

Feet per Minute: 90' per min for 35 mm at 24 fps. 36' per min for 16 mm

Shutter Speeds for Still Cameras: 1,1/2,1/4,1/8,1/16,1/30,1/60,1/125,1/250,1/500,1/1000

Foot Candles: (Used on stage) 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400,

Film Speed:ASA: 50,100,125,160,200,250,320,400,500,800,1000

Exposure Value (EV) Absolute measure of reflected light : 1 to 20

Zones: 0 to XI (I to X) ZoneV is middle of scale and neutral 18% gray

Neutral Density Filters: .30, .60, .90, 1.20, 1.50, (1.60), 1.80, (2.00)

Filter Factor: (a still photo term) 2, 4, 8, 16 etc.

Reflectance of Incident Light on Objects that Becomes Reflected Light: 0% to 100%

A logarithmic scale with 18% in the middle.

Color Temperature in Kelvin Degrees 2000 for candle, 3200 for studio lights, 5600 for sunlight

Decamired Filters: MIRED = 1,000,000 / Color Temperature in Degrees Kelvin

Focal Lengths for 16 mm: 5.9, 8, 9, 10, 16, 25, 35, 50, 75, 100

For 35 mm: 6,9.8,12,14,16,18,20,24,25,32,35,40,50,75,80,90, 100,150,200,300,400,500,600,800

2, 3, 4, 6, inch lenses. 2" = 50 mm, 3" = 75 mm etc.

Video Gain: -3, 0, +3, +6, +9, +12, +15, +18

Video IRE: 0 to 120

Compass Angles (azimuth): O/360=North, 90=East, 180=South and 270=West

Sun Height (altitude): 0 for sunrise/sunset at horizon. 90 straight overhead

Motion Picture Film Printing Lights: 1 to 50

Incandescent Lamp Sizes: 50, 100, 200, 420, 500, 800, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000

1K, 2,K 5,K 10K (K = 1000 watts)

HMI / DCI Lamp Sizes: 125, 200, 250, 400, 575, 750, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2500, 5000, 6000, 10,000, 12,000

Amps = Current / Resistance Watts= amps x volts. Volts AC: 120, 120-0-120, 220 single phase 208, 220, 440, 3 phase delta and wye Volts DC: 8,12,14,24,30 volts for most film cameras and 12/14 for TV portable equipt.

Watts Generator Size. 250, 500, 800, 1000, 1500, 2500, 5000, 6500 Usually smaller units.

Amps Generator Size: 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1200 (A 250 amp generator will light 30ea 1000 watt lights.) Usually large truck or trailor units

Amp Hours: Battery capacity: Theoretically the number amps a battery will supply in one hour at a specified discharge rate, but is often less in practice.

Pipe Size 1-1/4" IPS./1.625" OD, 1-1/2" IPS/1.900" OD (often mistakenly called 2 inch), and 2" tube for camera cars (See Pipe, Tube and Conduit)

Grip and Light Stand Sizes: Flags = 3/8", Baby and Grip Stand= 5/8", Junior 1-1/8",

Hourly Pay Scale: Straight time, overtime, double time, golden time, unemployed line time.

© Copyright 1999-2004 Ron Dexter. All Rights Reserved.