Hello from North Yorkshire.

C

Charlie Francis

Registered User
Joined
Nov 4, 2025
Messages
9
I’m delighted to be joining the group. I’m a long term black and white film practitioner, switched to digital in the early 2000’s but now reverting back to film. So I’ve bought a Chroma 617 panoramic camera and just arrived from China, my gorgeous Chamonix 5x7 camera.

I enjoy alternative processes, have done quite a lot of Palladium printing and dipped my toe in the water with Wet Plate Collodion and Carbon. In the past I have used digital negatives but would really like to do contact prints with camera negatives. I will be asking for advice in the forums about how to expose/ process a negative suitable for alternative processes.

I live in Staveley between Boroughbridge and Knaresborough in case anyone lives in the area.
 
Hello Charlie,
Welcome from the Vale of Pickering.

Alan
 
Alan Clark said:
Hello Charlie,
Welcome from the Vale of Pickering.

Alan
Click to expand...
Thanks Alan. I have just bought a Paterson Orbital Unit off eBay (not arrived yet) for my 5x7 film and note from another forum that you have experience with them so might be in touch. I did read what you had to say though about the bottom etc.
 
Charlie Francis said:
Thanks Alan. I have just bought a Paterson Orbital Unit off eBay (not arrived yet) for my 5x7 film and note from another forum that you have experience with them so might be in touch. I did read what you had to say though about the bottom etc.
Click to expand...
Charlie, people seem to use the Paterson Orbital in different ways. Best to see if yours has had any alterations done to it, when it arrives. Then we can work something out no doubt.

Alan
 
Charlie Francis said:
I’m delighted to be joining the group. I’m a long term black and white film practitioner, switched to digital in the early 2000’s but now reverting back to film. So I’ve bought a Chroma 617 panoramic camera and just arrived from China, my gorgeous Chamonix 5x7 camera.

I enjoy alternative processes, have done quite a lot of Palladium printing and dipped my toe in the water with Wet Plate Collodion and Carbon. In the past I have used digital negatives but would really like to do contact prints with camera negatives. I will be asking for advice in the forums about how to expose/ process a negative suitable for alternative processes.

I live in Staveley between Boroughbridge and Knaresborough in case anyone lives in the area.
Click to expand...
I'm not far from there, I'm on the other side of York (on the A64 towards Scarborough). There's a guy at our local camera club who's into Palladium printing.
 
jhotopf said:
I'm not far from there, I'm on the other side of York (on the A64 towards Scarborough). There's a guy at our local camera club who's into Palladium printing.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply. I was over near Stamford Bridge last Saturday visiting Dreamery Gardens.
 
Welcome Charlie, I also have a Chroma 617 and love it, I also did the focusing screen mod on it. You live in a great area for your interest.
 
Flack said:
Welcome Charlie, I also have a Chroma 617 and love it, I also did the focusing screen mod on it. You live in a great area for your interest.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I haven’t actually used it yet but really looking forward to doing so.
 
What FL lens are you using on your 617 cameras? That's a question for both of you.

I also shoot with a 617 camera, in my case a Gaoersi. I have cones for 90mm & 75mm lenses, but in practice have always use the 75mm f8 Super Angulon as that suits my use better. Ideally you need ND centre filters for both 90mm & 75mm lenses, I was lucky to find two new ones at low prices.

Ian
 
Ian Grant said:
What FL lens are you using on your 617 cameras? That's a question for both of you.

I also shoot with a 617 camera, in my case a Gaoersi. I have cones for 90mm & 75mm lenses, but in practice have always use the 75mm f8 Super Angulon as that suits my use better. Ideally you need ND centre filters for both 90mm & 75mm lenses, I was lucky to find two new ones at low prices.

Ian
Click to expand...
Ian Grant said:
What FL lens are you using on your 617 cameras? That's a question for both of you.

I also shoot with a 617 camera, in my case a Gaoersi. I have cones for 90mm & 75mm lenses, but in practice have always use the 75mm f8 Super Angulon as that suits my use better. Ideally you need ND centre filters for both 90mm & 75mm lenses, I was lucky to find two new ones at low prices.

Ian
Click to expand...
Ian, I have the Schneider Super Angulon 90mm but have only just got it. Lots of excellent YouTube Chroma 617 videos by Lee Pengelly and he discusses ND centre filters in one of them.
Charlie
 
Ian I have a 135mm Schneider with matching cone and a Super Angulon 90mm with lens cone, both excellent on this camera, I also have the Chroma Graflock 617 film back for my 4x5.
Charlie I also follow Lee Pengelly, as for the centre ND filter I have found no need with my two lenses.
 
Flack said:
, as for the centre ND filter I have found no need with my two lenses.
Click to expand...

With B&W you don't really need a Centre ND filter for 617 with a 90mm lens, it is easy to dodge the edges. However, it's more critical for E6.

Ian
 
Alan Clark said:
Charlie, people seem to use the Paterson Orbital in different ways. Best to see if yours has had any alterations done to it, when it arrives. Then we can work something out no doubt.

Alan
Click to expand...
Alan, my Paterson Orbital has arrived! It was advertised as unused and indeed it is. It came in the original box and the pegs are still in the original unopened bag. The only things missing are the cups which I don’t need. I have read all the posts on this site and FADU including your own about modifications and use so feel ready to go. Just need some 5x7 film now. In short supply but Ilford say they should have it available from mid November.
 
Charlie Francis said:
Alan, my Paterson Orbital has arrived! It was advertised as unused and indeed it is. It came in the original box and the pegs are still in the original unopened bag. The only things missing are the cups which I don’t need. I have read all the posts on this site and FADU including your own about modifications and use so feel ready to go. Just need some 5x7 film now. In short supply but Ilford say they should have it available from mid November.
Click to expand...
Charlie, have you thought about Foma film? Process Supplies have 200 and 400 in stock, in 5x7. And it's a lot cheaper than Ilford sheet film.
 
I have Alan it’s just that I’m a long term user of Ilford films and having spent a lot on the camera I feel at the moment I’d rather stick with what I know. I would like to try Foma down the line though.
 
Charlie Francis said:
I have Alan it’s just that I’m a long term user of Ilford films and having spent a lot on the camera I feel at the moment I’d rather stick with what I know. I would like to try Foma down the line though.
Click to expand...
I understand your thinking. Lets hope that by the time your film arrives the weather has improved....
 
Welcome sir. The rumours of film's death have been greatly exaggerated by the likes of Fuji and Sony.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top