Using the Zone System with Polaroid SX-70 Film, Part 2

[@edwardferry8247]

Great dedication to one’s creative art 👏

[@WalkClickMake]

Thanks, Edward!

[@jeffreyrice]

I look forward to working with this approach using the Polaroid I-2 camera, which also allows for EV adjustments in 1/3 stops.

[@WalkClickMake]

I think the I-2 is an ideal camera for this approach. I don't have one...yet.

[@alvescamile5721]

A great thank you from Belgium. I am an aspiring cinematographer, just got out of film school. I've been struggling to take the pictures I imagined with my SX-70. I accidentally fell on your video by making searches on the zone system for cinematic purposes. This short 2 part course has been the most instructive 50 minutes of the last six months for me. Thank you very much for all this useful information!

[@WalkClickMake]

Thanks Alves. It's always nice to hear that I have been helpful. Best of luck with your Polaroid work!

[@2112zone]

Looks like a half ND would compensate for not having half stops. Also a ND grad could help balance the shot. A lot of work you've put in here, appreciate you sharing.

[@WalkClickMake]

Thanks! Yes, it would be great if there was a half stop ND filter. Unfortunately, I have not found any. Regarding the use of a variable ND filter, take a look at my video on this topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYi4cnywfbt0rM0

[@adepew]

Thanks so much for this in-depth explanation and example filled zone system breakdown with this camera/film combo. I'm doing my research before pushing the button on buying an SX-70 and this is really helping me decide that it can be used in a mostly controlled professional way.

[@WalkClickMake]

Thanks Alex. Glad to be of help.

[@Carrotious]

Excellent! I will go through the same process with instax film as we now have manual control options for that with mint and also the lomograflok back. Not sure when I'll find the time but will hopefully report back with some info...

[@WalkClickMake]

That will be an interesting experiment. I have the Lomograflok back but haven’t found the time to repeat my tests with Instax Wide. You should get more accurate response with a full range of apertures and shutter speeds. Have fun!

[@Carrotious]

@@WalkClickMake and 10 shots per pack...

[@esalo49]

I have been researching getting a Polaroid SX-70 camera and your videos have been EXTREMELY helpful. Especially these zone system videos. Thank you so much. Though my wallet will now be a lot slimmer after buying the Mint camera, but I wanted to loose some weight. So it’s a win win. 😀

[@WalkClickMake]

That's great Edward. Enjoy your new Mint!

[@fayed.untitled]

Interesting video, thank you so much for making these two videos, they helped me a lot! Subscribed.

[@WalkClickMake]

Awesome. And thanks for subscribing!

[@jameskunetka8915]

I've enjoyed and learned from all your videos but this two-part series is particularly appreciated. As a student of Adams and the zone system thank you for taking the time to apply the system to instant film. It would be interesting to see you duplicate your approach with some of your B&W photographs. (BTW, I still have my Pentax Spotmeter (bought new and still working) as well as both the Adams and White books.)

[@WalkClickMake]

Thanks James. Hope you give it a try. I love my Pentax Spotmeter. So glad I didn't get rid of it. I use it and the zone system for all my SX-70 work.

[@GonzoTheRosarian]

This has been very helpful as I have a Mint SX70 camera and have been somewhat frustrated using it. Sometimes the shots are superb and other times…meh. I like your greyhound picture, but then, I am biased as I have a grey as well! Thank you for your efforts!

[@WalkClickMake]

Thanks Laura. We love our greyhound too!

[@johanulburghs635]

Thanks for this very useful information. I've been out today, very sunny and lots of contrast. I have noticed that one should really make a decision . go for highlights or shadows. I have used 600 film with my slr670. Do you have any experience with the other film 100ISO ( for sx-70) ? Is it better for sunny days ? does it have the same limited latitude ? In shadowy areas or inside the 600 film is great . but in the open under a harsh sun it's hard to make a decent picture. I love the camera and I would really like to manage it .

[@WalkClickMake]

Hi Johan. You've hit on the reason I did my Zone system experiments: the film's latitude is so small that decisions have to be made regarding what you want to sacrifice, highlights or shadows. In general, I try to get the highlights as bright as I can (zone VI or VII) without losing too much detail and then expect the shadows to fall where they may. I have only tested 600 film but my experience using the slower SX-70 is not much different. You might want to try the Polaroid Black and White films (600 and SX-70 speeds). I haven't rigorously tested them but the latitude seems larger. This could be a matter of perception as deep blacks are more visually acceptable, maybe even desirable, in a monochrome image.

[@specsalotful]

Just starting out with instants (SX-70's & Now +). Your serious treatment of exposures and zone perspectives is very helpful. For straight SX-70 shooters, any sense of what the scale marks on the exposure wheel correspond to? Thanks :)

[@WalkClickMake]

Hi Paul. Ansel Adams' book "Polaroid Land Photography" suggests that, for most Polaroid cameras with the L/D dial, each mark corresponds to roughly ½ stop. I haven't tested it but it might be a good starting point if you wanted to do some testing yourself.

[@oliverolvera246]

I loved this video! Thank you for all your effort specifically using so many film packs just for the purpose of education. I just have one question, if you want to use the sx70 with 600 film, you need to use an ND filter or have the exposure setting on the camera in full dark or else the photo is going to be overexposed. My question is, are you using an ND filter or something like that? Or you are using your camera with regular settings.

[@WalkClickMake]

Thanks Oliver. My Mint 670SLR-S is converted for use with 600 film. No filters are required. There are various companies the can convert your SX-70 camera to use 600 film, such as Retrospekt in the US (retrospekt.com/collections/repairs). Otherwise, you are correct; you need to either attach a Polaroid Film Shield over the film pack before installing the pack in your SX-70 or buy the Mint SX-70 Filter kit, which has a special filter mount for the SX-70 and an ND filter that covers the lens and electric eye. Both are available on the Mint and Polaroid websites. Hope this helps!

[@Alphard_adventures]

Sorry when you say “ I placed this in zone 3 or 6etc’ what does that actually mean? Where are you taking your meter reading etc .. sorry I’ve clearly missed something

[@WalkClickMake]

Hi, As an example, if there is an area of the scene that is in shadow but I would like to capture a little detail (eg. not solid black) then I would want to place it in Zone III. I would take a reading through my spotmeter and, if the reading happened to be 9, I would move the dial on the side of the meter so that the Zone III patch on the meter dial was across from the 9 on the meter dial. Hope that helps!

[@Alphard_adventures]

@@WalkClickMake yup now that makes sense in my head … very helpful thanks