Zone VI Newsletters

Hello, I just acquired a set of Zone VI newsletters in an original

binder. I am not sure how many of these newsletters Fred Picker

produced, but I have No #1 (1973) thru #39 (June 1984). Were there

more of these? I started reading these newsletters and they read

very much like early day zines! Really cool! Anyway if someone

could shed some light on these newsletters, I would appreciate it.

Thanks, Elaine W.

There were about twice as many. Fred put a lot of good information in those newsletters, but you had to be careful to not get too pulled in by the subtle advertizing that was contained therein.

Fred Picker's last newsletter was #83, dated September 1995. In it, he announced his resignation from Zone VI, which he had earlier sold to Calumet. Calumet continued publishing the newsletters, but they weren't the same. Didn't have the spark that Fred's had.

Fred Picker, the "great teacher". Why? I started reading AA's The Negative first edition in 1972 trying to comprehend the Zone System and to me it was like reading chinese until, 10 years later, I bought FP's little book called Zone VI Workshop. EPIPHANY! It was easier to understand the intricate ZS. After that, I read the Negative first and 2nd edition with ease, as well as Minor White's little yellow book Zone System Manual and White, Zakia and Lorenz's The New Zone System Manual.

 

I have all of his books and newsletters. IMO, Fred Picker has opened up the usage of view camera to hundreds.

I've got #1 through #61 and enjoy pulling my binder of them out from time to time. Is there a source for re-prints anywhere? I don't recall ever running into any on the net.

Keep searching for the rest. They are ALL worth having. And his books too. I don't know how many times I've reread them. His focus was toward simplification - getting the picture - don't get hung up with hardware and processes.

Craig - http://www.calumetphoto.com/syrinx/ctl?PAGE=Controller&ac.ui.pn=cat.CatTreeSearch&page=10

Thanks to everyone for their help. I am definately going to try and collect the rest of the newsletters. Thanks, Elaine W.

Elaine,

 

I have issues no. 28,59,60,62-66,68-71 (12 total). I've read and reread them. If your interested, make me an offer off line.

 

Thanks!

Elaine W.

The used newsletters appear with regularity on eBay. I recently purchased the whole set as

reprinted by Calumet in two binders (who now own them and the copyrights) for $36.00

plus shipping and handling. The original complete sets in the original binders seem to go

for $150.00- $225.00. I just have to admire FP for his passion and enthusiam for large

format photography. The newsletters are practical, down-to-earth missives sprinkled

with incredibly inspiring and beautiful descriptions of what photography can be. From

loading the film holders to making the exposure to printing the negatives-FP loved it all

and it shows in the photographs, products, and friends he left behind a bit too soon it

seems.

Jim M.

Well, just happened on this thread, and all I can say is that I have a complete set of these, and they are precious. Picker was a better teacher and writer than a photographer, and it was his wonderful Zone VI catalogs that originally got me interested in large format photography! Much of his commentary was curmudgeonly and cantankerous, but always thoughtful and usually helpful. How many times would he answer a question: "Why not try and see what happens?" Never bought one of his cameras -- they tend to get mixed reviews -- but the newsletters were always something I looked forward to getting, and I miss them. The writing closes to his spirit these days is Bill Jay's endnotes in Lenswork.