Spot metering tips

STM

Senior Member
The best application of spot metering is still Ansel Adams' Zone System. It is not just for black and white film, it can also be used with digital. I have always been distrustful of camera meters, regardless of how sophisticated they are touted to be. The best photography meter is the one between our ears. I got a Pentax Spotmeter V 1º degree spot meter in 1983 and I am still using it, not only with film but also with digital. No camera meter can know what you want to do with a scene, only you do. There is an outstanding book out, I have both the first and latest editions. It is entitled The Practical Zone System by Chris Johnson. In addition to delving into the black and white film aspect of the Zone System, he also discusses the application in digital as well.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
The best application of spot metering is still Ansel Adams' Zone System. It is not just for black and white film, it can also be used with digital. I have always been distrustful of camera meters, regardless of how sophisticated they are touted to be. The best photography meter is the one between our ears. I got a Pentax Spotmeter V 1º degree spot meter in 1983 and I am still using it, not only with film but also with digital. No camera meter can know what you want to do with a scene, only you do. There is an outstanding book out, I have both the first and latest editions. It is entitled The Practical Zone System by Chris Johnson. In addition to delving into the black and white film aspect of the Zone System, he also discusses the application in digital as well.

Somewhere I have a copy of a zone system manual from the '70s. Sometimes I miss being in the darkroom with my developing tanks, trays, and enlarger. :)
 
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