Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/02/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I disagree with Mike to a degree.... There are 2 parts of the Zone System: Metering and film development. Most heavy duty Zone users ( Zonies?) lock the 2 together. WIth roll film, unless you have different bodies for each development compression or expansion, you will be lost. Expensive and reaslitically impractical. However the Zone System has a wonderful learning curve to deal with placing values of your subject in your final print. This part is valuable to all photographers. Learning how and where to take the picture tonal values and place them on the limited zonal range of film and paper. Yes, I am a Zonie. Yes I use it with 35mm and 4x5. Yes I use differing parts or degrees of it with each. and finally, Yes, I feel it is very important to know how your equipment works, and its limitations, including film and paper. Study and use the Zone system, your pictures will be better for it. Frank Hopefully, no one, at least not with their Leicas. The Zone System and more sophisticated variants such as BTZS are really only sensible to use with sheet film. - --Mike Johnston