Which book to choose for Zone System?

[Benito]

Yep... I've just made 'the switch'... to film that is!

I'm the proud owner of a used cambo 4x5 monorail after 3 years of exclusive digital use. The reason for getting back into film is because although I only did basic processing and printing I REALLY miss working in the darkroom. As they say "the alternative isn't much easier and it's nowhere near as fun". I also miss the beauty of a contact print, and am planning on contact printing exclusively at this stage.

At the moment I'm looking for a book that explains the Zone system both at the visualisation/metering/exposure and most importantly at the processing end of things.

I'm currently looking at either "The Negative" (Adams) or "The Ansel Adams Guide: Basic Techniques of Photography - Book 1" (Schaefer) - two very obvious choices.

Is one of these the book to get or is there something better (or even something online)?. I'm after something that is up to date in terms of B&W consumables are still available.

I am looking at using ilford film and developer using the dip and dunk method.

Thanks for any advice...

Ben

[Ash]

You may find these sites of interest. I researched the zone system about a year ago, found a bunch of links, then never went any further, relying on previous years of hands-on 'pot luck' use of 35mm/medium format.

http://www.srphotography.co.uk/srpzone.html

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/zone.htm

Hopefully those two will help give you a vague idea of what to do with the zone system. The best way to find out how to implement it is to go take some photo's

[Bruce Barlow]

How bout something easier, but as useful (maybe more so...)? Get a Film Test Kit from www.circleofthesunproductions.com. Half a day's testing, most of that waiting for negatives to dry enough, and you will have calibrated your materials and have a way of exposing and developing that is virtually foolproof.

[Henry Ambrose]

I suggest all three of Adam's books. The Camera, The Negative and The Print. The principles are what you're looking for so don't be concerned about current or modern materials. Film, paper and chemistry works the same now as it did 20 years ago.

Bruce's ND kit looks like a really good idea for simplified testing.

But I'd want to know more about the whole process so I say study the books closely and buy Bruce's kit. There is nothing wrong with making it easy but down the road you will benefit more from deeper understanding than that you made an easy test.

[Kirk Gittings]

Find a copy of Fred Picker's book on Ebay. The Zone VI Manual. It was the introductory text for many of us back in the 70's who had a tough time with the Saint's books. I still buy it for students who are interested and it never fails.

[David A. Goldfarb]

I like Adams' _The Negative_.

[steve simmons]

I would second the recommendation for the Picker book. It de-mystified the zone system for many of us. Schaefer's books are also quite good.

There is an article in the Free Articles section of the View Camera web site on determining your personal EI and developing time. It is an abbreviated version of the Picker book

www.viewcamera.com


steve simmons

[j.e.simmons]

Picker's book is "The Zone VI Workshop." I highly recommend it, too, for someone starting out. It will help you understand what you're doing while you make the tests with Bruce's kit. Then read the three Adams books.
juan

[Brian Ellis]

Either Adams' book "The Negative" or the Picker book will work fine. I prefer Adams' book because I think his illustrations are better but both are good. Just don'tt get caught up in anything very complex, the zone system as created by Archer and Adams is simplicity itself, nothing the least bit complicated about it. Some later followers apparently didn't think anything so simple could be very good and so it's sometimes made more complex than it needs to be. IMHO anyone who can't explain the basic idea in about a page or less to someone who already understands how f stops and shutter speeds affect negative densities is making it too complicated. Then once you understand the system you can do your testing and that's an area where there are several different approaches. I used to do my own testing but the last couple times I've had it done for me by The View Camera Store (www.theviewcamerastore.com). They charge about $30 but will provide you more information than you likely can gain on your own and the cost isn't bad when you consider the amount of film you'd otherwise go through in making your own tests.

[Helen Bach]

My favourite is Minor White's Zone System Manual. It's concise, and it includes the determination of subject brightness range from incident measurements as well as from reflective measurements.

Best,
Helen

[David Karp]

Zone System for 35mm Photographers, by Carson Graves. Easy to understand; not only for 35mm photographers; provides a way to test and determine IE and development times using your eyes; it works.

[Rob Hale]

Hi Ben,
All the above are good and at some time should be read but for a clear, concise, well written book that you can trust without having to evaluate each step I recommend

“ Way Beyond Monochrome”
By R.W. Lambrecht & C. White.
Fountain Press ISBN 0 86343 354 5.

You can view their site @ darkroommagic.com

If someone is going to buy just one book then “Way Beyond Monochrome” will solve more problems and clear up more grey areas of thinking than any of the 45 odd books I have and have read including the above recommendations.

I have come to B&W very late in life and I am used to doing written research along with training people with soft ware and I view these guys as being very clear headed thinkers which gives them the ability to write clearly – which they do.

Regards Rob.

P.S. All the other books which I have I would not ( Won’t ) sell and do use for reference history and alternative techniques etc.

[Benito]

Thanks everyone for your replies...

Have got a copy of Picker's "Zone VI Manual" on the way, and I'm looking forward to getting into it. I'm also looking for a few of the other ones mentioned.

I'll probably get that film test kit you mentioned too Bruce - looks like a cheap and sensible way to get it sorted.

Thanks again!

[Rob Hale]

Hi All
My apologies I called Chris. Woodhouse C. White.
“Way Beyond Monochrome” is by R.W. Lambrecht and C. Woodhouse.

Regards

Rob.

[Andrew O'Neill]

I have both books that you mention. I started with Shaeffer's book one, which led to Ansel's book, The Negative and then to his other two books from the serious. I've had them since about '91 and they are well worn and tattered. I also have Shaeffer's book #2 which also has a section on alternative processes and digital. I recommend this book.

[dwhistance]

I second the recommendation for "Way Beyond Monochrome". It is excellent and deals with many other areas as well as film testing and the zone system. I find I dip into it fairly regularly - I should probably get out more!

David Whistance