three clicks this way, three clicks that way

Super short tip today. Most modern DSLRs have the aperture and shutter speed dials set to 1/3-stop increments. So remember this,

     "Three clicks is a stop."

When you turn that aperture dial three clicks, you're either opening up or stopping down the aperture by a stop, depending on which way you turn. In default settings, turn the dial to the left on a Nikon to open up. Canon people, turn to the right. Same goes for the shutter speed dial. Now if you're in manual exposure mode, turning either dial changes the exposure, depending on which direction you turn. To keep the exposure the same, simply turn one dial x clicks in one direction, and turn the other dial x clicks in the opposite direction.

Heck, we might even start talking about exposure in number of clicks, as in, "give me 5 clicks more exposure." (as opposed to one and two-thirds of a stop).

Try this: put your camera in manual exposure mode and set the aperture to f/8. Now turn the shutter speed dial so that the meter indicates proper exposure. See which way you turn to cause the indicator to move towards the "+" and "-" directions. Now turn the aperture dial three clicks towards the "+" direction, you should be at f/5.6, and the meter should indicate three "tick marks" from center. Now turn the shutter speed dial in the opposite direction by three clicks. The meter should once again indicate proper exposure as metered.

The good thing about manual exposure mode is that you're in control. The bad thing about it is, you're in control.

Why is it called a stop? Back when Pterosaurs flew in the sky, aperture dials and shutter speed dials had only full mechanical stops. Oh how I miss my aperture rings.

1/200 sec @ f/2.8, Nikon D700