In terms of the Zone System, as devised by Ansel Adams and Fred Archer as a teaching aid, these are the mid to lightest tones in the ten steps of the system. They also seem to be the range of tones available using Adox CMS 20 II when developed for high contrast.
I had one last strip of this film in 16mm for my Minolta 16MG which I have also used in 35mm processed for a more normal tone range but I wondered how it would fare on architectural subjects when such a limited range of tones would be recorded.
Exposure and development
I had problems with exposure when the normally accurate programmed shutter/aperture setting in the MG gave wildly erratic exposures. Whether this was because of the very bright conditions and/or the low film speed set, I don’t know. Usually it is very consistent and accurate.
For processing in Rodinal, the Massive Development Chart suggests a time of 14-16 mins at 1:100 dilution and 20ºC, rating the film at ISO 20. This gives a limited tone range, with accurate exposure, of no more than five stops, hence the title. The feature image demonstrates this. The decorative panels between the columns contain areas of Zone 5 where detail is visible. Below this tone there is hardly any detail. You might just be able to make out above the arched windows that this is the fire station in central Dunedin.
Of the 20 frames available less than ten were worth working on.
Results
With the subjects I had chosen to tackle, this mostly enhanced the images when they fitted the subject and exposure. Many though showed hardly any detail at all. These are the best of them.
Comments
This film is almost grain free and will render skies quite well despite not using a filter. And the tonal areas it renders well are satisfyingly juicy. Add to this the excellent lens performance despite being fixed focus. Only one frame was noticeably soft, the main subject being at a longer distance than the optimum 4m.
At the end of the day, these subjects do not suit such a simple camera but it was an interesting test all the same with some decent results despite the limitations.
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Comments
Ibraar Hussain on Minolta 16MG & Adox CMS 20 II – Zones 5 through 9
Comment posted: 07/12/2024
Lush.
I’d try this with Bellini Duo Step
Comment posted: 07/12/2024
Comment posted: 07/12/2024
Comment posted: 07/12/2024
Stewart Waller on Minolta 16MG & Adox CMS 20 II – Zones 5 through 9
Comment posted: 07/12/2024
Comment posted: 07/12/2024
Comment posted: 07/12/2024
Comment posted: 07/12/2024
Alexander Seidler on Minolta 16MG & Adox CMS 20 II – Zones 5 through 9
Comment posted: 09/12/2024
Comment posted: 09/12/2024
Comment posted: 09/12/2024
Comment posted: 09/12/2024
auntimaryscanary on Minolta 16MG & Adox CMS 20 II – Zones 5 through 9
Comment posted: 09/12/2024
I never used anything less than 100 ISO in any of my Minolta 16's. I've got a 50 ISO Ilford I suppose I should slice to try in the 16's and Minox's now I have one of Camerahacks cutters that results in both 16 and 9.2mm strips. The cutter makes it as economical as it gets using 35mm for sub-mini film without having any 35mm perfs.
Somehow I never quite get round to building one of your 120 film slitters... one day maybe!
Comment posted: 09/12/2024
Comment posted: 09/12/2024
Comment posted: 09/12/2024