Film Density Tests With Digital Camera Scans

[KidA]

I was wondering if anyone out there made a comprehensive step by step guide using a digital camera, and figuring out from those scans where zones I thru IX are placed on the film. Very much like Ansel Adams' way of testing film speeds and contrast control thru contact prints.

My question is specifically targetted towards the digital side of things as my experience with exposure (of film) and developing methods is sound.

I'd like to know the digi cam exposure settings, and more importantly, an *accurate* tone curve setting in Lightroom so I can actually see what I would get in a contact print from grade 2 papers. My concern is not just the ends of the histogram, the mid-tones' placement is also very important.

Of course, every film/development process will change the parameters - is there a foolproof way to figure this out for any given film/development combo?

Thanks

 

[Bob Carnie]

I cannot speak for digital camera readings... but once the image is in Photoshop if you use the LAB channel you can read 10 zones or 100 density points and this is how I work to
check images, change images , and place highlight and shadow with density points for any variety of tones.

I suggest that to start bracket your digital capture and when you process out the images from your camera you use repeatable steps to gain knowledge.

 

[KidA]

I cannot speak for digital camera readings... but once the image is in Photoshop if you use the LAB channel you can read 10 zones or 100 density points and this is how I work to
check images, change images , and place highlight and shadow with density points for any variety of tones.

I suggest that to start bracket your digital capture and when you process out the images from your camera you use repeatable steps to gain knowledge.

I have bracketed. And I'm getting good results. But it still doesn't tell me if I'm exposing and developing my film correctly. Working in the darkroom, the contact sheet pretty much told me everything I need to know regarding exposure, and development. I'm looking to eliminate the contact print stage and being able to find out that same info just from scanning.

Does Lightroom have this LAB feature?

 

[KidA]

I'm not looking to replace the darkroom, I'm just trying to save time. I want to be able to set up a guide so that I can jump into the darkroom after the scan phase and get the results I'm looking for quicker. I want to significantly diminish the need for test print after test print.

 

[Bob Carnie]

I have bracketed. And I'm getting good results. But it still doesn't tell me if I'm exposing and developing my film correctly. Working in the darkroom, the contact sheet pretty much told me everything I need to know regarding exposure, and development. I'm looking to eliminate the contact print stage and being able to find out that same info just from scanning.

Does Lightroom have this LAB feature?

No I do not think so... Your eyes should be able to tell you if your film is good.. detail in shadows where you expect and details in highlights where you expect and everything in between.

 

[Bob Carnie]

I'm not looking to replace the darkroom, I'm just trying to save time. I want to be able to set up a guide so that I can jump into the darkroom after the scan phase and get the results I'm looking for quicker. I want to significantly diminish the need for test print after test print.

You will eliminate the need for constant test print by making a shit ton of prints.. unfortunately its the only real way.. some measuring devices will help like a translator in the darkroom but I do not think it is needed and basically will take away the magic and fun of learning how to print.