Exposure

[jamiek]

I am shooting 4x5 film at the moment and using my Canon 40D to calculate exposures. The results I am getting a absolutely fine its just packing the 40D adds more weight and leaves less room in my bag.

I know the alternative is spot metering but I do not really have any knowledge of them.

So does anyone have any helpful tutorials or tips for me?

Thank you.

[welly]

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=56960

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=56334

[ki6mf]

This is from an earlier post. You need some kind of meter to calculate exposure and this step by step guide and related tutorial can help with your tests.

Re: Multi-spot metering in b&w landscape from Gem Singer http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=56334
Aim the one degree spot at the darkest area in the scene where you still want to see some detail. Close down two stops.

You have just placed the shadow area in Zone III.

That's usually the proper exposure for the scene.

Now, aim the spot at the brightest area in the scene.

If it's a five stop range between the darkest and brightest reading, use normal development.

Less than five, increase development.

More than five, decrease development.

No need to take a whole series of meter readings and average them. That's defeating the purpose.

Just make certain that you have given enough exposure to get some detail in the shadows. Then, develop for the highlights.

That's the Zone System in a nut shell.

For a Step by step guide to exposure and film speed index calculation use the Film Speed Test and Developing Test from Jerry Orabona Photography http://www.jerryo.com/teaching.htm

[jamiek]

Thank you