This is probably a stupid question, but I want to find out if I'm missing something.
I'm not completely new to photography. I understand the basics of the zone system and the importance of getting an accurate exposure. But I have to admit, I find a 1/2 stop difference barely perceivable. If I take two shots with 1/2 stop difference, I can almost never decide which is better (assuming they're both close). The only time I can tell is when I'm way off, in which case, neither shot is good and I should have bracketed at whole stops.
Considering the adjustments we can make digitally, or in the darkroom, this amount of accuracy in the exposure seems like overkill. Can anyone explain to me what kind of circumstances require 1/3 (or even 1/2) stop accuracy? And in those circumstances, what difference does it make in the final print?
I'm just trying to figure out if there is a benefit of being this accurate that I'm not aware of.
Thanks!
Paul