Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/12/05

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Subject: Re: [Leica] 35mm color vs. the tyranny of the masses
From: Eric Welch <eric@jphotog.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2003 06:49:12 -0800
References: <E99B16C4-26E7-11D8-9384-0003938C439E@btinternet.com> <11FDD418-26EF-11D8-90AA-003065D6E648@umich.edu> <DB6E1160-26F5-11D8-B6ED-000A958F513A@jphotog.com> <B8F767AC-2717-11D8-90AA-003065D6E648@umich.edu> <3FD08DFA.9E552729@rabinergroup.com>

No, there are not ten or eleven zones. Zones are just a description of 
a certain specific range of tones. Go back and read the Zone system 
again. It's not an absolute process. Especially read something by 
Ansel's assistant John Sexton. With his special processing techniques, 
such as using TMax developer 1:9 or 1:15 and very long processing 
times, he can get way more range of light intensity on film in 
printable densities. In one power plant he has a photo that shows a 
beautiful range of tones and the highlights are so under control you 
can actually the the form if the filament in the light bulbs. That's 
way more than the traditional 12 zones that most Zone System 
Practitioners will allow for.

It's not voodoo, it's sensitometry.

On Dec 5, 2003, at 5:54 AM, Mark Rabiner wrote:

> There are ten stops or "zones" in the zone system. Eleven if you count
> zone 0 which is film base fog and exists only in the neg not in the
> print. (Big deal)
> So I'm curious where they pulled they extra 4 stops out of!?!

Eric Welch
Carlsbad, CA
http://www.jphotog.com

"There exists a limit to the force even the most powerful may apply 
without destroying themselves. Judging this limit is the true artistry 
of government. Misuse of power is the fatal sin. The law cannot be a 
tool of vengeance, never a hostage, nor a mortification against the 
martyrs it has created. You cannot threaten any individual and escape 
the consequences."
- --  Frank Herbert

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Replies: Reply from Mark Rabiner <mark@rabinergroup.com> (Re: [Leica] 35mm color vs. the tyranny of the masses)
In reply to: Message from Frank Dernie <Frank.Dernie@btinternet.com> (Re: [Leica] Thom Hogan's photo predictions for 2004)
Message from Dante Stella <dante@umich.edu> ([Leica] 35mm color vs. the tyranny of the masses)
Message from Eric Welch <eric@jphotog.com> (Re: [Leica] 35mm color vs. the tyranny of the masses)
Message from Dante Stella <dante@umich.edu> (Re: [Leica] 35mm color vs. the tyranny of the masses)
Message from Mark Rabiner <mark@rabinergroup.com> (Re: [Leica] 35mm color vs. the tyranny of the masses)