View Single Post
  #4  
Old March 6th 12, 06:07 PM posted to rec.photo.darkroom
Dennis Boone
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 18
Default Metering for B/W Films

When it comes down to B/W films, methods such as the zone system or BTZS
are mentioned.


How do the visitors here like to use their lightmeters for exposing B/W
films for enlarging or contacts in the wet darkroom?


As a coarse approximation, I meter the darkest shadows where I want
some detail, meter the bright spots (avoiding specular reflections),
split the difference. If the difference is too broad, you'll exceed
the range of the film (unless you have the ability to adjust the
processing per frame, i.e. sheet film). If the whole scene is very
dim, you may end up "promoting" it all to appear brighter than it was.
Etc.

Bottom line, the "correct" exposure is the one that gives you the
result you wanted.

It's worth reading the Ansel Adams and Phil Davis books, even if you
don't intend to do the whole calibrated process thing. There's a
fair amount of useful thumb rule stuff in there, and they can help you
cement the idea of shifting things up and down the scale to get what
you want.

De