Chroma Six 17 First Shoot | 6x17 Film Photography

[@sophietucker1255]

Nice, I’m rather envious. Also never tempt Murphy and his laws by asking “what could go wrong”

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

😂 pessimism and optimism in equal amounts 😂

[@charlesk323]

Nicely done, congratulations on the first try. I really enjoy 4x5 but I am itching for this format. It is much the way I view the world. Probably with the Shen-Hao since it has the movements, but this camera is quite handy. Thanks for the tutorial. Love the final results.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

@@charlesk323 Thankyou and glad you enjoyed this. The Shen Hao is pretty cool but for affordability the Chroma is a great entry into this format

[@TheMungo54]

Very interesting! I really like the black and white image. I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a roll film back for my 4x5 but the prices are a bit steep. I like the sound of this option for the weight benefits though.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

Glad you liked it. The only thing you don’t get is the ability to use lens movements as you would with a 5x4 body. I don’t find it restricting though just a different way of working. Hoping maybe the designs in future might incorporate tilt and shift that would change the game.

[@9vHeart]

up to 6x9 are quite affordable. The graflex and horseman backs work well and are not expensive.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

@@9vHeart Yeah good for 6x9 👍

[@LarryParamedic1]

Super images, I really liked the results you posted. Did you have any vignetting issues? With the cost of 6x17, I thought the only camera in my price range was going to be a pinhole camera. Chroma appears to be a reasonably priced system.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

@@LarryParamedic1 Thankyou glad you liked them. I have vignetting on some images although after they’re scanned it’s a quick fix. I would ideally like a Center filter but they are hard to come by and cost more than the camera 😬 It’s a great versatile system

[@pantera1jes]

I enjoy your videos always, thank you Lee

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

Thankyou I really appreciate this

[@letmebereal]

Excellent informative review. Well done

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

Thank you glad you enjoyed it

[@patryk2700]

Very useful video, thanks. The amount of light leaks, beyond the explainable ones due to the use errors, is a bit off putting. Is this something you continue to have issues with?

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

@@patryk2700 Thanks glad it was of help. Since using it extensively I’ve overcome any issues, most down to my error with loading/unloading film. The dark slide I keep in, just raise but don’t remove entirely. Frame spacing is nigh on perfect too. The only slight issue if using ilford film in bright conditions and seeing the numbers on the backing paper but that’s no fault of the camera.

[@patryk2700]

@@LeePengellyPhotography Thanks!

[@mike1902]

Great video Lee and an honest review. Lovely photos…..but then you can’t fail to get a good shot on Dartmoor when the light is right. I can’t wait to get my Chroma😀. Looking forward to more of your videos using this camera.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

Thanks Mike, thankfully it all went well !, it is nice to use definitely slows you down but can’t beat that wide view. Got another shoot in this morning and lots more planned over the coming weeks.

[@hoggif]

Nice photos. I like especially the color image. I think black and white is often so difficult for landscapes when there are no colors. You often need strong shapes for b&w.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

Thankyou, I dont shoot that much black and white but have some plans to shoot some minimalist stuff soon using mono film

[@chrisloomis1489]

The two images look very nice , both in color and B/W are beautiful. I have a 75mm , 110mm and 135mm from there my lenses jump to 150mm 210mm and 300mm ... I suppose 150mm would be very tight upon a 6x17 camera ... my 75 , 110 both have center filters .. almost forgot 65mm with center filter too. I have a 4x5 Ebony right now and Crown Graphic ...press camera is for the blow and go work.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

Thanks Chris appreciate your comments and thanks for watching. I know they do a 180mm cone but not beyond that. So far the lack of a centre filter hasn’t been an issue although I’m shooting some velvia this week so will see 😬

[@andrewwheatley8973]

Looks like an interesting price of kit. Two very nice pictures with wonderful light. I might have to get my Hassy out at the wknd now....😁

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

Interesting and quirky slowly getting used to it though, few teething problems but overall happy with it. Hassleblad envy here 😂 enjoy 👍

[@Adam-pm1cy]

Super vid and very nice photos! I shoot with a Fuji 617, and it's a very nice camera, but I find that scanning such a big negative can be a bit challenging.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

Thanks Adam appreciate your comment. Ah scanning !!, cut a long story short I gave up on my Epson V600 just could not get it to work with the new Mac OS, so I’ve reverted back to scanning with my Sony A7R2 and a macro, I’m going to do a video on this soon but basically I’m shooting 6 frames in portrait format and using Negative Lab Pro for negs, getting 300 + MB file

[@MacbethStudio]

Thanks Lee. Very informative video. I was born in Devon and have spend some time on Dartmoor. Now live in Orlando, FL, USA, but would love to spend some time on the moors shooting panoramic landscapes. Thanks for taking the time to put this video together. Curious what you scanned these negs with. Sorry if you already answered that.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

@@MacbethStudio ah thanks for your comment and good to know you e spent time here. I use my digital Sony A7R and shoot 3 images of each image then stick together resulting in a larger file

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I would be using colour filters for the black and white. I used to use TMAX films, they have been reformulated since then. Any lens vignetting, I think, can be removed in LrC and Ps using radial masks. Ps now have presets, they comprise a selection of adjustment layers so you can probably use separate presets for each focal length. Try XP2-400. It's C41 film, so it goes in with your colour film. I think it can be rated at ISO 50 and processed as slide film, pushed two stops. Why would you not develop the film yourself? You get to choose the developer and processing regime.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

I have red and orange filters now plus a warming filter for colour transparency too. The vignette problem isn’t too bad only had a few and managing to correct in post now. As for developing, yes I did process my own a while back but was getting inconsistent results plus space was an issue. I use a local guy for processing who I’ve used for years and for colour and BW negs he’s very reasonable and quick turnaround with good results.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

@@LeePengellyPhotography Developing doesn't require much space or equipent. A Paterson developing bottle and reels, something to measure temperatures and volumes, a lightproof camera bag. Printing is harder.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

@@oneeyedphotographer Yeah I had all the gear but sold it all a few years ago 🤦🏻‍♂️ We are in the midst of house renovations and hoping when we have moved and I have a little more time I will get back into it. Would be nice to have a dedicated darkroom to be honest, havent printed for years

[@punkskaphil]

This is a very interesting video. I've been using a DaYi panoramic set for my Shen-Hao 4x5 field camera for a few years. It's the same principle (but obviously without a lens cone) and is very ruggedly-built (basically two big graflok-fitting metal boxes: one is the film holder, one is the ground glass with an integral bellows shade), but it's very heavy and cumbersome. So heavy in fact that last summer I slipped a disc in my back when I lifted my rucksack. Although it would mean getting another large format lens to go on the cone, the lighter weight could make it a worthwhile investment. I acquired a centre filter for my Schneider 90mm around 2017 which was still very expensive back then, but in all honesty I very rarely use it. Like you, I also don't really like people distracting me when I'm using my large and medium format gear, especially when I'm under the darkcloth. It just seems to bring curious people out from all around, plus I can't see who's around me!

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

Glad you like the video, really appreciate you watching and your comments. You’re right it’s a fraction of the weight of the 5x4 set up, only thing you do lose is lens movements although with this format I can’t see it being too much of an issue, would be good to have a bit of tilt though. Totally agree on the dark cloth thing, I think people are bemused by it, makes me chuckle 😂

[@hoggif]

I have a couple center nd's too. They are a must for very wide lenses like my 65mm on 4x5 or if I go for extreme movements on longer lenses.. I rarely shoot that wide and I rarely use extreme movements (on lenses that even allow that), so I rarely see the need for something like 90mm. I bought mine way back when they were just expensive, not hugely expensive like now. The problem now is that they are a speciality item and not manufactured. If you really need one, you need some old stock in good shape and those get more and more rare every day.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

@@hoggif The cheapest I’ve found is £250 on eBay, to be honest I’ve only had a few images with noticeable vignette.

[@grahamhutton3129]

Hi Lee, Love watching your film camera shoots. If I were to go for one of the Chroma cameras, either 6x12 or 6x16, is the 90mm focal the best lens to search for? I do like the 6x12 2:1 format as well as your 3:1. What sort of equivalent length does the 90mm equate to in 35mm terms? Sometimes you see these lenses for sale with boards on the back or 0, 1 or 2 copal? Are they for large format only? Thank you.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

@@grahamhutton3129 Thanks Graham. The 90mm is equivalent to around 28mm in 35mm terms. A 150mm is also a good choice, this gives the same view as around 45mm. Bear in mind this is too to bottom as the length of frame is elongated anyway. They are large format lenses, mine is copal 0 I think. If you buy a LF lens with a board you basically just remove the board and replace with a Chroma circular lens board.

[@grahamhutton3129]

@@LeePengellyPhotography Thank you Lee. I certainly would like to get into this 6x12 or 6x17 format. Thanks for your message.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

@@grahamhutton3129 I’m hoping to get a 6x12 back for the chroma soon too

[@grahamhutton3129]

@@LeePengellyPhotography Can they be interchanged then rather than 2 completely different bodies?

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

@@grahamhutton3129 yeah you need a lens cone for each lens then swap that with the lenses attached.

[@montycraig5659]

Hi Lee, I assume the image is the same on the ground glass as it is for 4x5? Is this correct?

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

Yes it’s upside down 👍

[@The_IntrepidExplorer]

Very nice for a one trip pony but for me an intrepid 4x5 and a 6x17 back would be a better choice. However that get stupid expensive because the 6x17 backs are hard to get.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

Yes I did look at this option but not sure on lens coverage on the 17cm side. Also looking at the Shen Hao 617 which is very expensive 😬

[@hoggif]

Shen hao 617 would be great for a dedicated 617 camera, I think it is not foldable ie it is large to carry. Using lenses on boards can be a great deal for anyone having 4x5 or whatever similar camera already. (and none of those bulky lens cones to carry!) For more general use 4x5 or 5x7 view camera with 6x17 back is an option. You get foldable camera and all the movements which is a huge deal to me. I'm spoiled with my 4x5 and love movements when I need them. I think 6x17 backs for 4x5 run at about $1000 and nice new 4x5's run for 1-1.5k and up. You can get 2-3 daiy 6x12 backs for the price of one 6x17. I actually have two 6x12 backs and I like them. I rarely use them with 6x9 or smaller sizes. I'd love to get wider but the cost of 617 back.. There are also half height dark slides. They would allow shooting two 2x5" panoramic shots on single 4x5 film sheet. That would be roughly equal to 6x15 format but with a slightly smaller size. I think I'll try out those some day to get a bit wider. A cheap way to try without wasting film on cropping assuming one has 4x5 camera already.

[@LeePengellyPhotography]

@@hoggif Yeah the Shen Hao is a great camera, despite the size. I did shoot 5x4 but sold mine years ago. I think a 5x7 is better for 6x17, the 5x4 doesn’t quite have the coverage for the 17cm length

[@hoggif]

@@LeePengellyPhotography Yes, especially with longer focal lenght sides of 4x5 give problems. 5x7 would be way better in that. I love shooting 6x12 with my 4x5 though, especially with full movements. Especially with urban landscapes rise is so usefull.