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Thread: Zone VI modification worth the cost?

  1. #11

    Zone VI modification worth the cost?

    There are any number of places to have a meter calibrated with the correct piece of equipment. I can think of Calumet, Quality Meters (?) in Hollywood, California and I believe that even Richard Ritter calibrates light meters.

    While we all accept a certain amount of statistical variability in using mechanical or electronic devices (shutters or meters), many times the source of the variability in ones photography can be traced to the old say - The Devil Is In The Details. I pay as much attention as practical to ALL of my very valued LF equipment as it is only as good as the weakest link. That is why I also own a shutter tester and use the X Rite calibration scale for the densitometer.

    For those of you that shoot predominantly chromes, I will in a similar vein as to results make a case for flare inside your camera off of any surface (wooden or metal) that is not flat black. Could have as much as 1 stop affect on the outside edges of the results.

    Cheers!

  2. #12

    Join Date
    Oct 1998
    Posts
    240

    Zone VI modification worth the cost?

    Yes, it is well worth spending the extra money.

    BTW, that meter has been discontinued [both the modified and unmodified versious] so get one now. You won't ever be disappointed you did. Do it right the first time.
    Alec

  3. #13

    Zone VI modification worth the cost?

    Mark,

    It is absolutely worth the extra investment if you have the resources. Contrary to what some have contended, the modification is significant in eliminating exposure error when photographing items that reflect large amounts of IR light or if you use filters.

    While many claim that this modification did not change the meter's performance was was marketing Hype, it was a genuine innovation that Fred Picker brought to the market.

    Richard Henry, an objective and thorough tester, proved the meter's improved performance in his book "controls in black & whilte photography".

    If you are going to buy one meter, the extra $130 compared to time saved with better precision over a lifetime of making photographs is a wise investment.

    Best,

    George Pappas

  4. #14

    Zone VI modification worth the cost?

    Alec:

    I am having an analog V converted as we speak and Calumet is still showing the modified meter on their web site for sale. Do you have some insider information that is not yet available to the general public?

    Calumet told me that they are no longer making the 5x7 enlarger and are re-designing the head for 4x5 only applications to be out in a couple of months.

  5. #15

    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Greenbank, WA
    Posts
    2,605

    Zone VI modification worth the cost?

    I would be interested to know if anyone has had a Zone VI meter which can, as advertised, read properly through a red filter. I've had two, and both grossly underexpose negatives if used this way. Yellows, greens and oranges, no problem.

  6. #16

    Zone VI modification worth the cost?

    Thanks to all for your prompt and informative replies. It's evident that I still have a lot to learn, and it's reassuring to know that I can stand on your shoulders, so to speak. Guess at this point I'm leaning towards the Zone VI meter - I like the idea of being able to isolate one of the varibles involved, and to have a "constant" from which to compare my results with those of others. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and find a nice used one to help offset the additonal cost... Thanks again!

  7. #17

    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Posts
    9,487

    Zone VI modification worth the cost?

    FWIW, Richard Ritter does the meter modifications for "Zone VI" so I would venture that you could send your existing meters to him for an after-market upgrade. If you really feel that you need to...

    Gee, Ansel figured codified the Zone System with a selenium Weston meter... poor guy

  8. #18

    Join Date
    Oct 1998
    Posts
    240

    Zone VI modification worth the cost?

    Michael said: " Calumet is still showing the modified meter on their web site for sale. Do you have some insider information that is not yet available to the general public?"

    If, instead of a smart ass response he had bothered to CHECK the availability of that item, he would have seen it is unavailable, and has been, for months! Also, neither B&H nor Adorama has any either. I'd say that's a pretty good indication.

    I second the recommendation for using Richard Ritter. He is a specialist in this subject.
    Alec

  9. #19

    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    386

    Zone VI modification worth the cost?

    For the extra 150 bucks and the fact that it hangs in there at lower light levels than it's unmodified brother, I'd go for it, I did and have absolutley no regrets ....

    Alec, FWIW, I didn't interpret Michael Kadillak's comment as being 'smart ass' ...

  10. #20

    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Posts
    9,487

    Zone VI modification worth the cost?

    Michael is just smart; he has never been anything but polite on this forum.

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