lynno@tekfdi.UUCP (Lynn Olson ) (06/26/84)
Spotmeters are an essential part of the Zone System; however, the reverse
is even more true - if you don't use the Zone System (or some variation) with
a spot meter, the results will be terrible. In other words, you *must* select
a given area, choose the value you want in the final print (dark with slight
detail, Zone II, dark with medium detail, Zone III, middle gray, Zone V,
fleshtone, Zone VI, bright with moderate detail, Zone VII, etc.), meter
several areas of interest, and select the aperture/shutter speed as an
appropriate compromise. This does give you the benefit, even with 35mm, of
consciously deciding which areas will or will not lose tonality, and gives you
further information during the print-making process (provided you take notes).
I concede that I frequently get lazy and measure (with B/W or color negatives)
a Zone III, so there's detail in the shadows, and leave it that.
Technical info: I use a Soligor 1 Spot Meter (1 degree spot, range EV 1 to
18), available from better NY mail order houses at $110, and a Zone VI (Zone
VI Studios, 93 Elm St., Newfane VT 05345, about $15) overlay card to modify
the meter for direct zone system use without having to do a lot of mental
conversions. Zone VI also sell modified Pentax and Soligor meters with
corrective filtration, improved baffling, and improved accuracy. These folks
will definitely get you pointed in the right direction. Good luck!
Lynn Olson, tektronix!tekfdi!lynno