Zone system

modafoto · May 27, 2004

Hi

I know almost nothing about the Zone System. I have read about Ansel and the system, but don't know how to use it. Therefore I have some questions.

- Is the system fit for large format only (so you can match development for each neg indivudually)?
- It is any good to use it with a 35 mm film shot on the same location in the same light and then match the development to that?
- Is the Zone system usable with 35 mm at all?
- Where can I read a good introduction to Zone System.

Greetings Morten

david b · May 27, 2004

Get a book called "the Practical Zone System" by Chris Johnson. Great book. Easy to understand. It will answer all of your questions.

gma · May 27, 2004

The zone systems is not limited to a certain film size. Practically speaking it is feasible with sheet film or with removable film backs whereby you can have several rolls loaded. To use for 35mm or roll film you would have to have the same lighting conditions for every picture on the roll or else remove and reload another roll when conditions change.

argentic · May 27, 2004

You could muse shorter rolls of film. When you buy a roll of 30 meters, that should be fairly easy.

Gilbert

ElrodCod · May 27, 2004

A good beginer's Zone System book is the "Zone VI Workshop" by Fred Picker. It's easy to follow without getting bogged down in alot of technical stuff. It'll get you off to a good start. After that, I'd go right to Ansel's books.

Jorge Oliveira · May 27, 2004

First, in the Internet there's a good introduction to the ZS:

http://www.onlinephotography.com/bw.html

Not as complete as a book, but a very good jumpstart (and very cheap...).

Second, as a 35mm shooter, I feel the ZS has to be understood, used as a tool but not in the details. Here's how I use it:

- Do the Zone 1 tests as described in the doc above;
- Adjust your development time/dillution so MOST of your photos print in grade 3 paper (for 35mm it seems to be prefered to grade 2).
- Expansion and contractions (see the doc again) will be made by changing paper grades.

Jorge O

sergio caetano · May 27, 2004

Just another suggestion: The New Zone System Manual; by Minor White, Richard Zakia and Peter Lorenz

hitcher · May 28, 2004

ElrodCod said:
A good beginer's Zone System book is the "Zone VI Workshop" by Fred Picker. It's easy to follow without getting bogged down in alot of technical stuff. It'll get you off to a good start. After that, I'd go right to Ansel's books.

I agree the Fred Picker book is a definite must have for beginning to understand the Zone system. Ansel Adams Book is much more technical but he was the pioneer of the Zone system, it's all there in that book.

doughowk · May 28, 2004

The Zone System for 35mm Photographers by Carson Graves is a good entry point into the mysteries of exposure.

Zone system

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