modified to Zone VI

[martin_kapostas1]

Hi,

 

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Could please explane me why to modify the meter to Zone VI ?

 

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martin

[pete_andrews]

I believe that Zone six would add additional infrared filtering to a

lightmeter and then re-calibrate it for you. Zone VI appear to be out

of business now anyway.

[kevin_kolosky]

I have one and it works very well. Not only are they modified to

block out infared and ultraviolet, but they are also fitted with a

filter pack so as to make the meter more accurate with regard to

metering color. Zone VI is not out of business. But you cannot buy

directly from them anymore. You would have to buy the meter from

Calumet. I believe they cost around $605.00 now. I believe that

over time it would be money well spent. Kevin

[john5]

Zone VI is not out of business and yes Calumet is the only place

where you can buy them. A huge difference when the meter is modified

is that the originals have a chrome {yes reflective chrome} housing

around the light sensor. The Zone VI is matte black. It also has

baffels to reduce flare within the lens. What does this mean? A true

1 deg spot unlike any other brand. A perfect test of this is point a

Zone VI meter at a lightbulb so it fills the circle guide. Move the

circle away from the bulb. You will see a fast and sharp drop in EV.

A true 1 deg metering area. Do this with any other meter and it will

fall of gradually. 1 deg with fuzzy edges. Way more accurate and way

more specific. Hope this helps.

[kcrisp]

Martin: There are many prior and lengthy discussions on this site

about the Zone VI modified meters. I have two of them and they seem

to work as advertised. Many people (most people, surely) do fine

without one. The claimed benefits are primarily better reduction of

internal flare (covered by an earlier posting), more uniform readings

due to a better photo cell, and additional filters inside which allow

the meter to react more predictably to colors. Zone VI claimed you

could meter through filters and get predictable results and in my

experience this is a valid point. Have I gone and done the same

thing with an unmodified meter? No. All I can tell you is that I

don't get surprised by my exposures when I use it. Some people (see

earlier threads) think it is just a marketing scam and some people

have very strong negative opinions about the former owner of Zone VI.

[chris_jordan]

I use the unmodified Pentax spot meter, and point it through a

cardboard toilet paper roll, when I feel the need to baffle. This

seems to work quite well for my exposures, and will save you some $$

over the Zone VI. You can get creative and use metalic paint on the

cardboard, add gliter or sequence, or even add a gold chain and wear

it around your neck. It contributes in this way to freer thinking and

better photos as well.

;)

Chris

[sean_yates]

What I don't understand is why Pentax doesn't do the mods

themselves. They could sell two levels of meter (Zone and non-zone?)

and cut Calumet out altogether.

[sergio_ortega]

Martin,

 

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Go over to the Calumet site (www.calumetphotogaphic.com) and check out

the Pentax ZVI spotmeter page. They have a description of the

benefits of the modifications, and a testimonial of sorts from a

professional photographer who uses one.

 

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You might also want to contact John Hicks (you can easily find his

e-mail address on this site), he has some good info on the purpose and

usefulness of the ZVI mods. This issue has been discussed many times

here, so additionally a search on this site would turn up some good

threads.

 

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I own one of these, and had it modified after the fact by the old ZVI

studios. Cost me a bundle to modify. I honestly cannot say that it

really improved the meter, though the little zone system scale they

glued to the adjustment dial on the outside is a wonderful idea. BTW,

ZVI used to sell these little stick-on zone dials by themselves (for

about a dollar or two); maybe Calumet still does.

 

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If I were replacing my Pentax, I don't think I'd go to the extra

expense of getting the ZVI version. The regular one (less than $400

at B&H) would do just fine.

 

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And why is everyone so down on old Fred Picker?

 

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Good luck, Sergio.

[michael_kadillak3]

Pentax is based here in Colorado and when over there recently I asked

one of their tech guys the question as to why they do not do the Zone

VI modifications themselves and his response was that based upon the

number of inquiries they have received on the subject, only a very

small number of users are concerned enough about this subject to

bring it to their attention. The vast majority of other users in the

smaller photo formats and the movie industry continue to praise the

meter as it is currently manufactured and the results they regularly

obtain. From the manufacturers perspective, they are already doing

what they feel the market needs to keep the customers happy and their

costs down (and profits up). Anytime you make product changes, all

incremental costs need to be economically justified by incremental

sales. As a result, these meters will continue to be made and sold as

they are now. Those that can justify the additional expense of the

Zone VI modification no matter if they actually do the testing or

take Calumets word for the improvements, will do so. Others that feel

that the modification is money down the drain will use the meter in

its original form just fine. This is a situation where there is not a

right or a wrong answer, but an answer that is right for you, the

user based upon YOUR choice. Personally, I appreciated the spirit of

improvement that was represented by Zone VI that I feel is currently

missing from the palate of the large format user.

 

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The bottom line is that if enough people continue to find

justification in sending their meters to get modified

[neil_poulsen1]

I believe that the Zone VI modified meters are optimized to best

translate colors into black and white zones on film. (i.e. Tri-X.)

My question is how well these meters work for color

negative or positive photography?

 

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As to strong feelings, I still vividly recall reading in an older Zone

VI catalog how the pre-Calumet Zone VI enlarger had "generous"

coverage for 5x7. It was on this basis that I purchased one of these

enlargers used, only to find that it's coverage for 5x7 was

inadequate. I would hesitate to put into words how I feel about being

misled in this fashion.

 

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Still, I would also suggest that some of the Zone VI optimizations

have been a real benefit to B&W photography. For example, their

efforts to make coldlite printing more consistent, their timers,

electrostatic brushes, etc., have been worthwhile contributions.

[sean_yates]

My contentions with Fred relate to some of the advertising in his

catalog, what he wrote about the Wisner products - hypocritcal

considering who designed and built the first original Zone VI

cameras, how many different incarnations of the Zone Vi camer there

has been, etc. - and his "My way, or the highway" attitude expressed

in the catalog and his book.

 

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HOWEVER - when I saw his video - "Photographing with Fred Picker" -

he seemed QUITE different on camera than in print. Although he was

weighted down with accoutrements from the Zone VI catalog, not ONCE

did he try to sell them or expound upon their virtues. And he did

express the idea that you have to do what YOU have to do, not what

someone else thinks you should do, to get the picture.

 

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So I am wondering if the Fred Picker of the catalog was not some sort

of advertising construct, like Bartles and James, entirely different

from the Real Fred Picker.

[kcrisp]

And, now that I think about, don't forget that every time Calumet

sells a Zone VI modified Pentax meter, PENTAX just sold one more

meter.

[abbas_kasbi]

I have found it very well, compair to the other meters.

[rob_pietri3]

Zone VI modified meter? I bought my first spot meter from Zone VI

back in the late 70's. It was a Soligor spot Sensor and it worked

great until it took a dive down the back stairs and broke beyond

repair. I bought a used Soligor of the exact same model at a local

photo shop for $50.00 about 5 years ago. I then sent it into Zone VI

for modification and have had years of flawless use for both B&W and

color. I essentially got a new meter for $125.00! Nice savings!