Taken from The Maine Photographic WorkBook:
The Zone System
A short list of the zones with some physical equivilants for each.
(
IMR =
Indicated Meter Reading)
ZONE IX
The pure white of the
paper base.
Snow,
clouds,
specular highlights, any whites without detail.
(4
stops more than the
IMR)
ZONE VIII
The last zone with
remnants of
texture.
Direct sunlight on white
clothing will render some detail.
(3
stops more than the
IMR)
ZONE VII
Bright textured detail.
Average snow, light
sand, white clothing, deatail on the
clapboard of a white
house.
(2
stops more than the
IMR)
ZONE VI
Caucasian skin in open
sunlight.
Skin in
portraits made entirely in the
shade or
overcast light.
(1
stop more than the
IMR)
ZONE V
This is
middle gray - 18%
reflectance.
Average weathered
wood, green
grass, gray
stone or
pavement. Panchromatic rendering of the clear
north sky.
(IMR)
ZONE IV
Medium dark tone, average dark
foliage, open shadows. Recommended value for
portraits in open sunlight. Brown hair], new
blue jeans.
(1
stop less than the
IMR)
ZONE III
Darkest shadow area with full detail. Dark clothes,
black hair, shadows under
cars, etc.
(2
stops less than the
IMR)
ZONE II
The first discernable
tone above total
black, and is the darkest part of a picture where a sense of
space is required.
(3
stops less than the
IMR)
ZONE I
The
blackest black a print can be made to yield.
Doorways, or the enterance into a
tunnel;
windows opening into unlit rooms.
(4
stops less than the
IMR)