Abstract: A system for controlling a diaphragm aperture and shutter speed of an aerial camera involves computing maximum permissible exposure time as a function of permissible image motion, and flying speed and height. The shutter time is adjusted within a normal working range as a function of exposure conditions for a particular diaphragm value after evaluating the maximum permissible exposure time, mean brightness, status signals of the diaphragm and shutter control mechanism and process signals. The diaphragm is adjusted to a minimum diameter diaphragm aperture according to brightness conditions encountered at the minimum shutter time limit of the normal working range and to a maximum diameter diaphragm aperture at the maximum permissible exposure time. The aperture values are successively decreased and for each discrete aperture value the shutter time is adjusted as a function of terrain brightness within the normal working range.