Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/06/02

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Subject: Re: Zone system
From: Jack Milton <jmilton@agate.net>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 97 19:31:50 -0500

>> As it is my understanding if one is using the Ansel Adams wonderous ways of
>> exposing and developing, it must be done with single sheets of film to
>> compensate all the exposing and development controls.

 Adams also mentions a way around this for roll film users. Expose 
according to Zone System principles (which first involves a bit of 
worthwhile testing for film speed and development times), then develop 
"N-1" - which usually works out to about 10 to 20 percent less than 
normal time. This assures that scenes with normal or above normal 
contrast ranges do not get over developed.
 Then print on higher grades of paper for normal, or low contrast scenes, 
lower grades for higher contrast scenes. This works out to a grade 3 for 
normal with most papers and developers. Thus roll film users standardize 
on grade 3 paper.
 This works. I've done the testing for both roll film and 4x5 sheet film.
 The concept here is almost as old as  black and white photography: make 
sure the film gets enough exposure and don't over develop. Adams 
systemetized it.

- -Jack Milton
http://www.agate.net/~jmilton/index.html