Zone System Negative Design needs an Update

[Steve Sherman]

Traditional Zone System negative design needs an update, learn how Multi-Contrast papers have enabled a more powerful and flexible negative design: https://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/PPSS/ppss.html

[Paul Ron]

very interesting.

[David Schaller]

That site seems infected with pop ups

[neil poulsen]

He appears to be exploring an area I've often wondered about: What should one use as "normal" paper grade?

During testing, I pick a "normal" paper grade, determine my maximum black exposure, and then find the "N" development that gives me a Zone VIII that I like. I use a Beseler 45s color head, so my "normal" paper grade is no color filtration. ('Bout a 2 contrast grade.) With this testing, and during printing, I typically have to add some contrast to my enlarger settings (above normal) to get the print that I like. Hmm.

In the distant past, I used Galerie grade 3 paper for my film development testing, which has a somewhat elevated paper contrast above a typical grade 2. Then, I did my printing with Ilford MC Fiber Warmtone. (This would be in the direction of the what the article is proposing.) But predictably, I got push-back from some respected members of the Forum. ("Predictably", because I was testing with a different paper, versus what I was using for prints. So, back to paragraph 2 above.)

If I were to dive into this discussion with further testing, I would use a higher contrast paper grade (adding magenta filtration), redo all my film development testing, and then put those new film development times into practice by seeing how they affect my prints. (And then after a time period, again increase the contrast of my "normal" paper grade, and redo film testing. Etc.)

It's possible that, with more testing, I might improve my print quality. (The article is indeed interesting.) But, I like the print quality that I'm getting with my current film development times. Alas, I'm retired, and the older I become, the more I value my time. I don't think that there's currently sufficient evidence for me to pursue the line of investigation suggested by the article.

[Michael R]

Generally speaking The Zone System is fairly superfluous, but the article is quite flawed.

[jnantz]

thank goodness i'm zone-illiterate and i just wing it
i hate updating .

[cowanw]

Generally speaking The Zone System is fairly superfluous, but the article is quite flawed.

Would it be too much trouble to be more specific? I think such a discussion would be valuable.

[Bill Burk]

Steve Sherman,

You sure put a lot of work into this.

It’s refreshing and I think it might become “the shot heard round the world”.

Cheers,

Bill

[Drew Wiley]

I'm not sure everyone needs a textbook to learn how to slice a pie. But if it does help some people, the effort is worth it. The traditional Zone System was a helpful teaching tool; but it was already in my rear view mirror decades ago. Today's excellent VC papers open up a whole new range of possibilities for fine-tuning images.

[EdoNork]

Those papers can't show what's not in the negative. That's a sustancial part of the Zone System.

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