Just out of curiosity .......

[Ed Bray]

I tend to meter from the darkest area in which I want to retain detail and then close down by 2.5 stops usually at 1/2 to 1 stop above box speed (depending on the film used). I develop everything in Caffenol CL semi-stand and always get a nice full toned negative. The great thing about using Caffenol CL semi-stand is that all films and speeds can be processed together for the same time and temperature with great results.

[Mark Barendt]

I use the manufacturers recommendation for EI and Development.

I incident meter, duplexed as described in Dunn & Wakefield's Exposure Manual.

With sheet film I do shoot a spare in case I need too expand or contract or find a defect, but rarely need to develop the second sheet.

I adjust for scene contrast with the VC paper.

The original Zone System targeted a specific paper grade so adjusting the negative, expansion or contraction, we're very important to make printing easier. With good VC paper available that need has been diminished. Expansion or contraction still have value as techniques but is not as important as it used to be.

This system, sticking to the manufacturers recomendations, has the distinct advantage of being able to insert any film into the equation and get good results.

The challenge is simply getting good at understanding what the instructions are asking for and adapting that to the systems you use. For example I develop my films in a JOBO, so I have to factor that constant agitation in even if the instructions don't.

[John Clifford]

Seat of the pants Zone system?

[ROL]

Seat of the pants Zone system?

SPZS? BTZS?? BSZS???

[ROL]

edward weston would have looked at an object or scene and said... That's a bit darker than normal so i'll expose a little less... Or that's a bit duller than average so i'll develop a little longer. It's a process called sotpzs. Let me know if you figure that one out. I have no idea what meter he used, if any.

solzs?

[Old-N-Feeble]

Seat of the pants Zone system?

Yes.

[E. von Hoegh]

Eftsdfth.

[bigdog]

I use the Force ...

[Ari]

"I've got 5 minutes with Marlon Brando, the director's about to yell 'Action!', and I've got four sheets of film left. Who's got time for the Zone System?"
I forget who said that, but it was a well-known 50s star photographer in the studio system.

Funny quote, I probably mis-remember it (read it years ago), but it comes to mind each time I think of learning the ZS.
More power to those of you that can and do use ZS.

[Old-N-Feeble]

"I've got 5 minutes with Marlon Brando, the director's about to yell 'Action!', and I've got four sheets of film left. Who's got time for the Zone System?"
I forget who said that, but it was a well-known 50s star photographer in the studio system.

Funny quote, I probably mis-quoted it (read it years ago), but it comes to mind each time I think of learning the ZS.
More power to those of you that can and do use it.

Superman's daddy don't need no steenkeen Zone System!!