Response to Thin Negatives from Film Speed Test

Bong not be beat a dead horse but I sense you really want to get this test down pat. when you talk about 1.0 being Zone I , that density -fb+fog is going to be pushing you up to the Zone VII range, somewhere between VI and VII. I have had students run this test many times and it is easy to go crazy over something which one would think is simple. One tip i suggest is to vocally say out loud what Zone you are shooting as you stop down or up . Helps keep one on track. Also, try not to change a shutter speed when you get to the point when you are ready to test for development time. At that point I also recommend to my students that they a frame at each Zone so when they are read you can confirm that a mistake hasn't occurred. there is a logical progression from Zone I- ZoneIII and then from Zone IV up to VIII. At VIII don't forget to test for paper type and light source. Have fun and enjoy playing with the more technical end of our craft. When you are ready to transfer the technical information to the artistic side of the fence I am sure your prints will be much improved. Also, don't forget different develpers and film types may tested diffently, don't assum that a film rated at 400 and test for 200, means that all film needs to be shot at half the rated speed. As a rule of thumb I suggest to my beginers that they should try that and see if they like the results. My serious work needs personnel testing.

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