Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/07/25

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Subject: [Leica] Zone System in a Nutshell (again)
From: Jim Brick <jimbrick@photoaccess.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 08:58:46 -0700

With all of the mis-information hitting my screen, you all obviously need
"another" dose of simple photo basics. So here it is again... 

- -----------------------------------------------------------
"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% 

Jim :-)

ps... this is "not" a joke!!!

Replies: Reply from c.blaue@bmsg.de (Re: [Leica] Zone System in a Nutshell (again))