If you are shooting 60 frames per second, what is the exposure time?

• A. 1/120th second
• B. 1/60th second
• C. 1/240th second
• D. 1/30th second

Answer: (A)

Exposure time per frame is tied to how long the sensor is exposed during each frame, which depends on the frame rate and the shutter angle. At 60 frames per second, the frame interval is 1/60 second. Using the common 180-degree shutter, the sensor is open for half that time, so exposure time is 1/120 second. This gives a natural amount of motion blur that matches typical film aesthetics.

If you used a longer exposure like 1/60 second, you’d have more light per frame and more blur; a shorter exposure like 1/240 second would reduce motion blur and light per frame; a much longer exposure like 1/30 second would increase blur and brightness variations.