Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/03

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Subject: [Leica] Re:Jim Brick's Zone System
From: "Paul T. Collura" <pcollura@epix.net>
Date: Mon, 03 Jan 2000 09:08:01 -0500

>

Hi Jim,

This has to be the best advice that I have read on the LUG in a long time. Well said and very
perceptive.  Bravo!

Paul




> There are four zones.
>
> Zone Good, Zone Bad, Zone Ugly, Zone Butt Ugly.
>
> To use the system:
>
> Wake up. Get out of bed. Go outside.
>
> Zone good:
> It is light overcast-ish, light shadows. But good light direction.
> Expose normal (eg; Tri-X @ 400,) develop normal.
>
> Zone bad:
> It is dismally overcast, no shadows. Perhaps even drizzle.
> Underexpose one stop (eg; Tri-X @ 800,) over develop 20%
>
> Zone ugly:
> The sun is out, sky is clear, and there are blatant shadows.
> Overexpose one stop (eg; Tri-X @ 200,) under develop 20%
>
> Zone butt ugly:
> The sun is squinty bright and the shadows really deep.
> Go in and go back to bed.
> Or sit with Ted, by the pool, ogling the babes, sipping on a single malt.
>
> Use this system with Tri-X and you will have wonderfully printable
> negatives every time. It works even for incompetent photographers. More
> competent folks can use that there Delta stuff. This zone system works for
> it too.
>
> Jim
>