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Response to Film Speed Test

from roger hicks (rogerandfrances@compuserve.com)
Don't bother with the tests. Ask yourself two simple questions.

One: have your negs of everyday subjects got enough shadow detail? If not, with each subsequent film lower the film speed by 1/3 stop, i.e. 400-320-250-200-160 until the whole film is more or less to your satisfaction.

Two: do they print on your favoured grade of paper? If you regularly need soft grades, cut development time by 30 sec for each film until they do. If you regularly need hard grades, increase development times by 30 sec for each film until they do.

The Zone System has hindered more photographers than it has ever helped. If you understand enough sensitometry to take full advantage of it, you don't need it, and if you don't understand enough sensitometry to take full advantage of it, you'll only confuse yourself.

(posted 8298 days ago)

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