Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/07/25

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: RE: [Leica] Zone System in a Nutshell (again)
From: "B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 12:19:45 -0400

The amazing thing about all this incredibly complicated photo "science" and
use of trillion $ equipment, is that it can, indeed, be reduced to these
basics....and thanks to Jim B. for the latest reminder...:-)

B. D.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Jim Brick
> Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2000 11:59 AM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: [Leica] Zone System in a Nutshell (again)
>
>
> With all of the mis-information hitting my screen, you all obviously need
> "another" dose of simple photo basics. So here it is again...
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> "Zone system, for roll film, in a nutshell:"
> -----------------------------------------------------------
>
> by Jim Brick
> ------------------
>
> 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. Normal
> open contrast.
> Expose normal (eg; Tri-X @ 400,) develop normal.
>
> Zone bad:
> It is dismally overcast, no shadows. Perhaps even drizzle. No contrast.
> Underexpose one stop (eg; Tri-X @ 800,) over develop 20%
>
> Zone ugly:
> The sun is out, sky is clear, and there are blatant shadows. High
> contrast.
> Overexpose one stop (eg; Tri-X @ 200,) under develop 20%
>
> Zone butt ugly:
> The sun is squinty bright and the shadows really deep. Really
> high contrast.
> Go in and go back to bed.
>
> ...But if you are a die-hard...
> Overexpose two stops (eg; Tri-X @ 100,) under develop 30%
>
> Jim :-)
>
> ps... this is "not" a joke!!!
>
>