[Leica] Re: B&W in high contrast situations

[Jim Brick <jimbrick@photoaccess.com>]

Back by popular demand.
No densitometer needed.
No "N" plus or minus stuff to remember.

"Zone system, for roll film, in a nutshell:"
- -----------------------------------------------------------

by Jim Brick

There are four zones.

Zone Good, Zone Bad, Zone Ugly, Zone Butt Ugly.

To use the system:

Wake up. Get out of bed. Go outside.

Zone good:
It is light overcast-ish, light shadows. But good light direction. Normal
open contrast.
Expose normal (eg; Tri-X @ 400,) develop normal.

Zone bad:
It is dismally overcast, no shadows. Perhaps even drizzle. No contrast.
Underexpose one stop (eg; Tri-X @ 800,) over develop 20%

Zone ugly:
The sun is out, sky is clear, and there are blatant shadows. High contrast.
Overexpose one stop (eg; Tri-X @ 200,) under develop 20%

Zone butt ugly:
The sun is squinty bright and the shadows really deep. Really high contrast.
Go in and go back to bed.

...But if you are a die-hard...
Overexpose two stops (eg; Tri-X @ 100,) under develop 30%