Any Such Guides As A "Photo Sensitometry For Dummies"?

[DF]

I still am unable to make heads or tails of "Characteristic Curves" - "MTF Curve" - "Spectral Dye Density...."RMS..."
Any recomendations?

 

[Sirius Glass]

The MTF [Modulations Transfer Function]curves relate how various locations in the lens' field of view handle sharpness and contrast. It takes some understanding of optics to interpret, however there are no standards so one cannot compare lenses from two different manufacturers. Since each manufacturer has its own standards, on can only compare lenses by a single lens manufacture such as Zeiss for Hasselblad and Leica lenses. See

Modern Optical Engineering by Warren J. Smith​

Optics Eugene Hecht​

Characteristic curves show the relationships between different color constituents in a color film and the sensitivities OR the film response to light. See Principles of Optics by Max Born and Emil Wolf

RMS [Root Mean Square] is used from converting from sinusoidal voltage to the equivalent dc voltage.

Courses in optical and or electrical engineering would be a good starting place.

 

[Todd Barlow]

Try the following from Kodak…

https://www.kodak.com/content/products-brochures/Film/Basic-Photographic-Sensitometry-Workbook.pdf

 

[Sirius Glass]

Try the following from Kodak…

https://www.kodak.com/content/products-brochures/Film/Basic-Photographic-Sensitometry-Workbook.pdf

Nice workbook, thank you.

 

[ic-racer]

In addition to the Kodak workbook, this book is very good and further explanation and more detail. I got my copy back in the 1980s, but it is still relevant; the physics has not changed.

 

[mshchem]

The MTF [Modulations Transfer Function]curves relate how various locations in the lens' field of view handle sharpness and contrast. It takes some understanding of optics to interpret, however there are no standards so one cannot compare lenses from two different manufacturers. Since each manufacturer has its own standards, on can only compare lenses by a single lens manufacture such as Zeiss for Hasselblad and Leica lenses. See

Modern Optical Engineering by Warren J. Smith​

Optics Eugene Hecht​

Characteristic curves show the relationships between different color constituents in a color film and the sensitivities OR the film response to light. See Principles of Optics by Max Born and Emil Wolf

RMS [Root Mean Square] is used from converting from sinusoidal voltage to the equivalent dc voltage.

Courses in optical and or electrical engineering would be a good starting place.

Starting with engineering courses would be a good place to start if you are proficient in calculus etc. I haven't used calculus in 30 years. I'm going to look at the Kodak workbook, until I get numb. Then I'll put up more shelves in my darkroom

 

[albada]

I still am unable to make heads or tails of "Characteristic Curves" - "MTF Curve" - "Spectral Dye Density...."RMS..."
Any recomendations?

If you have a question about a specific concept, we could explain it here. For example, I'm sure several people would happily explain what a characteristic curve is and why it's helpful. And that will start an argument about why it's not helpful.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

In addition to the Kodak workbook, this book is very good and further explanation and more detail. I got my copy back in the 1980s, but it is still relevant; the physics has not changed.
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I can second the recommendation that's the book I learned from.

 

[jonmon6691]

Try the following from Kodak…

https://www.kodak.com/content/products-brochures/Film/Basic-Photographic-Sensitometry-Workbook.pdf

This is fantastic, thank you!

 

[MattKing]

In addition to the Kodak workbook, this book is very good and further explanation and more detail. I got my copy back in the 1980s, but it is still relevant; the physics has not changed.
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Richard D. Zakia is also known as a co-author of some of the Minor White publications on the Zone System.
If nothing else, it is helpful to note the sub-title of that book. Practically speaking, it is all about "tone reproduction". Sometimes, when you are immersed in densitometer readings and plotted curves, it is easy to forget that all of this is about being in control of how the tones appear - particular in the final presentation.

 

[StrangestStranger]

In addition to the Kodak workbook, this book is very good and further explanation and more detail. I got my copy back in the 1980s, but it is still relevant; the physics has not changed.
View attachment 315729

This is the book that I learned from when I learned about photographic processes. A great book!

 

[Bill Burk]

In addition to the Kodak workbook, this book is very good and further explanation and more detail. I got my copy back in the 1980s, but it is still relevant; the physics has not changed.
View attachment 315729

That's the book I refer to as well. It's a book to absorb over time.