Densitometer qusestion?greenspun.com : LUSENET : Large format photography : One Thread |
Although I have been a working professional photographer for most of my adult life, I have not used the formal 'zone' system, but one I developed for my own needs. I am interested in learning the formal 'zone system'. I know I will neet a black and white transmission densitometer and thought I would check Ebay. Any recommendations? This will be used for black and white only...and I have no need for color. Thanks for any input. Richard Boulware
-- Richard Boulware (boulware-den@att.net), July 11, 2001
Richard,If you have a relationship with a good Pro Lab they should be able to make the measurements for you. Or sign-up for a Zone System Course at a local college. My local community college has a densitometer available for regular use during our open lab every Sunday. IMHO buying a densitometer is a waste of money. As once you get your system calibrated, there is no need to take further readings unless you change films or developer.
-- Dominique Labrosse (d_labrosse@hotmail.com), July 11, 2001.
If you plan on using pyro or pyrocathechin then you might want to get a color densitometer. The ones to get Are Eseco speedmaster trc 60d, X-rite 810 and there is another one that escapes my mind. They go on e bay from 200 to 600 depending on the shape and greediness of the seller, but of course this is a lot less than what they would have cost you new. Cheers!
-- Jorge Gasteazoro (jorgegm@worldnet.att.net), July 11, 2001.
Richard,About 6 months ago I went 100% digital and sold my X-Rite 811 color densitometer. It was a great unit. They sell used on Ebay for around $800-1200. New they are over $3K.
The Palm Beach Photographic Centre will be offering a zone system workshop with Tom McCartney this fall. You may want to check them out at www.workshop.org. They are a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to enriching the lives of "at-risk" children through photography and the arts.
Check it out.
Mike
-- Mike Kravit (mkravit@kravit.net), July 11, 2001.
Why do you want to do this? My guess is that whatever you have developed yourself is probably be less technical and more successful than a study of the Zone System. Why not buy a used copy of Ansel's Negative and read up on it. If it strikes your fancy. then sign up for a workshop.
-- Joe Lipka (JoeLipka@compuserve.com), July 12, 2001.
My thanks to each and all who have emailed me on this subject. The last email asking the question about...'why I want to do this'..should be answered. Yes, it's true that my own personal system works well. I have been fortunate in my life to have seen so much and done so much and having 'photography' as my magic-carpet...for such an exciting life and having been rewarded with so many awards and acolades. For me...the answer to the question of 'Why', is that for a young-'Senior' like me...having another challenge, or mountain to climb, makes me feel alive and well. My only concern for myself is that I hope I never run out of challenges and questions....or mountains to climb and explore. Best regards to all. Richard Boulware - Denver.
-- Richard Boulware (boulware-den@att.net), July 12, 2001.
Instead of buying an instrument which will rarely be used [unless you change films frequently], look for a company [e.g. insurance company] which puts its documents on microfilm. They'll have a densitometer to check their processing from time to time. That's where I started using one. I later found a used one in a pawn shop for $75.
-- Alec (alecj@bellsouth.net), July 12, 2001.
Getting a densitometer for my darkroom is one of the best things I ever did. Although anyone can get along with out one it makes life so much easier when you change films and paper. No more hit and miss with new films. I can nail the speed and the contrast the first time around. Not guess work needed. In addition densitometers have become cheap, cheap, CHEAP! I just picked up my second tobias (TCX) on Ebay for ~$170 to equip the darkroom at work. A real deal when you think that these instruments cost thousands new. I choose the tobias because I have used it for years and find it to be tough and acurate.
-- Pat Raymore (patrick.f.raymore@kp.org), July 12, 2001.
gosh, if you haven't found one yet, send me your negs and I will read them for you.Kevin
-- Kevin Kolosky (kjkolosky@kjkolosky.com), July 14, 2001.
While you are looking for a densitometer, I'd suggest you read The Zone VI Workshop by Fred Picker- if you follow his practical advice you'll find yourself using the Zone System very fast. I also recommend reading Steve Simmon's article in the May/June issue of View Camera Magazine- about finding your correct film developing time.(but you need to establish your film speed first, see Picker).If you have plenty of time (in your "retirement") than you don't really need a transmission densitometer, use the visual method (Picker). It means a bit more darkroom work- the densitometer would give you a short-cut in arriving in what you are looking for: your actual filmspeed and your developing time: for Normal, N+1, N+2 etc etc.
Good luck.
-- Hans Berkhout (berkhout@cadvision.com), July 15, 2001.