Beyond the Digital Zone System—Sitemap

Several parts comprise this site.  It begins with a wide-angle view of the digital zone system as a whole.  Next comes an attempt at a formal analysis of the underlying principles of the zone system, ending with a general approach to applying it to any photographic media.  Then comes a detailed application of the zone system to a workflow that begins with a digital camera and ends with an inkjet printer, using a Nikon D700 and a Leaf Aptus-II 5 digital back.  Last is the original content of the site, a “test run” of the above procedure applied to a Canon G11 camera.


The Digital Zone System—beginners start here.  [updated 10/1/2011]

A general approach to applying the zone system to any photographic media

Introduction

Zone system myths

Definitions

So what is the zone system?

The approach

II III IV V VI VII VIII
Zones are exposure values, and there aren’t always ten.

Detailed application of the zone system to a Nikon D700 and a Leaf Aptus-II 5 digital back

Workflow

Exposures

Analysis

Nikon D700

Leaf Aptus-II 5

Digital Zone System Example

More Examples

RAW vs. JPG

Is your light meter linear?

Resources  [updated 7/26/2011]

autocorrelation

Test run with the Canon G11 (original content)

Introduction

Results

Examples

Summary

ISO 400 and 3200

Technical notes

chart

Pearls

Bibliography and Links  [updated 9/25/2011]


Site © 2010-2011 by Russell Cottrell.