The Zone System for 35MM Photographers: A Basic Guide to Exposure Control (Paperback)

by Carson Graves (Author) "When photographers first encounter the zone system, they are often overwhelmed and rightfully put off by complex descriptions of exposure calculations and the jargon of..." (more)
Key Phrases: exposure index test, previsualized tone, indicated meter reading (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
My congratulations to Mr. Graves for a worthwhile contribution in a field where so much that is written only muddies the waters. --Bob Shell, Shutterbug

Here is the Zone System without tears. --Popular Photography

[N]ow there is a book available that tells exactly how the zone system can be used in smaller format photography, and how uncomplicated it actually is. What better motivation can there be for a photographer. --Walter Frost, The Boston Globe -- Review

Review
My congratulations to Mr. Graves for a worthwhile contribution in a field where so much that is written only muddies the waters. --Bob Shell, Shutterbug

Here is the Zone System without tears. --Popular Photography

[N]ow there is a book available that tells exactly how the zone system can be used in smaller format photography, and how uncomplicated it actually is. What better motivation can there be for a photographer. --Walter Frost, The Boston Globe


See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 2nd edition (1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240802039
• ISBN-13: 978-0240802039
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #790,004 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Zone System for Everybody, December 16, 1999

By	Jeffrey J Buckels "jeffbuck8" (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

Carson Graves' The Zone System for 35mm Photographers is both more and less than its title suggests, but mostly more. I'm an amateur photographer who has been using his best understanding of the Zone System for a few years. I don't use my view camera as much as my Leica, though, so my ears definitely pricked up when I heard tell of a book about adapting the System to roll-film. I've always been frustrated by the difficulty of that. Anyhow, I got the book through Amazon. The "less" is that there really isn't an overwhelming amount of information about squeezing the Zone System into the 35mm format. Some of it is commplace (e.g., shoot the whole roll in more or less identical light circumstances, and to make this easier, use 24 rather than 36 rolls, etc.). Some of it is not commonplace and is very useful indeed (maybe worth the price of the book). But what really makes the book worth it is that it is a very clear and concise overview of the Zone System itself. I've read Adams, Minor White, John Schaeffer, and others, and this may well be the best explanation I've read to-date (I can't say to what extent this is so because I have in fact read the others). Graves' explanations are really usefully different from the others'. A specific example: I've always been EXASPERATED by the Adams-White-Schaeffer explanations of how to test film for EI and development for times and so on. It's like you need either a densitometer (reach for $500+) or a PhD in calculus. I have neither. Graves describes -- clearly -- a very practical method for testing film speed and development times. That part of the book is outstanding and worth the price without a doubt.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast reading guide to exposure control, December 18, 1999

By	John Cowgill (N. California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Great book. I went from a "4" to a "9" (on a scale of 1 to 10) in terms of my ability to control exposure and get the results I wanted after reading this book. It's clearly written and a person can cover the major topics in just one day. A+

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I saw the light, and It was a Zone IX!, July 22, 2000

By	"i-am-jesko" (Franklin, TN United States) - See all my reviews

If you intend to be serious about manual photography, you'll need to have an understanding of the zone system, and if you intend to have an understanding of the zone system, this book is for you.


While not circumventing the science of the zone system, Carson Graves prudently focuses more on application of its principles. Basically, this book will give you a clear understanding of what the zones are, how to relate them to real-life objects, how to understand what your light meter is telling you, and a lot more...


Do ya like pictures, Sonny? This book is full of 'em! The technical points about previsualization, judging contrast, etc. are really driven home by informative photos, drawings, and graphs.


On top of the basics, Mr. Graves "takes it to the hole" when he deftly explains advanced stuff like finding your exposure index and adjusting your development times...This book is an easy (and educational) read with just enough seriously technical stuff in it to warrant flaunting it in front of all the ladies (or guys) to show them what a brainiac you are. But YOU would never do that, you're way too cool...


All jokes aside - this book will give you knowledge, and through knowledge, control. Don't miss it.