Welcome to my website. If you are looking for my blog on cameras, news, tutorials and production techniques etc. please follow this link which will take you over to XDCAM-USER.com.
I am a freelance Cinematographer, Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) and Editor/Colorist. I am also a well known instructor and teacher of video camera technology, shooting techniques and production methods. I am a Sony Ambassador and Sony Independent Certified Expert (digital cinematography). I have worked in film and television since the 1980’s gaining a vast amount of experience along the way. I have worked on feature films, short films, documentaries, sports, music. You name it, I have probably done a bit of it at some point. I also run a very large library of stock footage of natural extremes. My footage has been used in Hollywood blockbusters, numerous TV series, museum exhibits and all sorts of other video productions.
For more info on me, please take a look at my bio and info page.
If you are looking for a highly experienced cinematographer or camera operator for you next shoot, or if you need a DIT or camera technologist to help get the very best from your cameras or workflow on a larger production please get in touch. If you need some training or wish to consult me on any aspect of production technology, again please get in touch. Despite the fact that I am very well know in the industry, my rates are highly competitive and you can be sure that you are getting someone very experienced and highly skilled. I have experience working in deserts, rain forests and the arctic. I’m not afraid of heights (I’m a qualified IRATA rope access technician and working at hight trained). I’m also a scuba diver. I’m great at problem solving and in the 30 years I’ve been in film and TV I’ve worked with most types of camera support equipment or lighting equipment. I am also a competent photographer (I studied photography at school and had my own dark room under the stairs at home).
Dear Mr Chapman,
For some years now , I have been reading your articles about mainly the Sony PMW F3 camcorder, which I bought about five years ago.
First of all I am very pleased to let you know that I have learned a lot from your inspiring videos.
I am very impressed by the quality of the camera and am still learning how to get the best out of it.
Recently I ,once again ,watched your short video about using a broadcast lens on the F3.
I have been trying this a couple of times myself, but was never convinced that this would do the job. I did prefer my Canon L lenses, which perform excellently.
I had already solved the problem of the automatic exposure by adding an Optitek adapter for Canon to FZ mount. There is no glass in this adapter; just electronics for the exposure settings .
The adapter allows me to use the lenses with manuel exposure.
But ,using the B4 lens is great fun and I am starting to enjoy it more.
For the connection from B4 , 2/3 lens I use a plain open adapter.
In order to solve the inevitable vignetting problem I have added a Kenko 1.4 converter, which actually works pretty well; also as far as sharpness and image is concerned.
I noticed that the adapter you developed in conjunction with MTF has a built in converter of 1.5.
I wanted to ask you if , apart from your adapter, you could give me any better option then the Kenko converter, since I already own adapters for the B4 lens and FZ mount.
I would be most grateful if you could give me some advise on this matter.
Thank you in advance.
With best regards
Kees Hulsmann
The Netherlands
The Kenko converter is probably your best option unless you want to spend $1000’s on adapters such as the Abekas.
Hi Alister
I hope you are well..
Visual impapct have invited me to your Understanding Sony’s Cinema Line event this week, sadly i will in the air en route for shoot in Sri lanka, but will cath up ..
Seeing the picture on the invite confirmed a query, the range seems very bottom heavy, there is a range from FX9 and down and then an almight leap up to the Venice .
Is there likely to a camera released that fills this gap ?? the FX12 ?? As someone who got one of the first batch F55 ‘s, a brillaint camera but laments the purchase of an ergonomically remedial CanonC500 I feel a little lost. The FX9 is a great camera but not that solid and lacks the side screen etc not the full monte ..and I am lookng at a used a Venice 1 ( I need the HD option) but having it on the shoulder for 6 hours in a day, or underslung without an eairig is a scary though because of thr weight …
With no Amira upgrade in sight there seems to be a gap in the market for the owner operator working on high end doc and content , I am meant to turn to Red heaven forbid !
best charlie
Good afternoon Mr Chapman
Trust this message finds you well.
I was in attendance at your talk on Saturday at Atlantic Studios , I just need some more information as to how I go about studying film making as it was a very informative talk .
Also is there any possible links as to where I can get funding for my studies as well.
Hope to hear from you soon
Regards
Hi Alister,
Firstly, big fan, love your work and advice via multiple videos across YouTube.
This is why I’m coming to you, as I don’t know how to fix a minor issue with my FX6.
Recently there’s been a software update allowing users to use their phones etc as a monitor via an app-Excellent stuff.
However, I’m having difficulty, as the ‘AP Mode Settings’ on my camera is ‘greyed out’. What do I need to change to get this active?
I hope this is a minor thing which can be easily fixed, don’t know who else to ask!
Best
David Briscoe
Dear Alister,
Thank you a lot for your work into helping the community with Sony products. Your knowledge and kindness are gold.
I am posting this cuz my fx9 became unusable. It turns on directly freezes and won’t turn off. When turning on image from the sensor appears if a lens it’s attached, but no settings can be operated. Nor any info appear on display. Last time the camera worked correctly, battery went off suddenly (my bad I did not check level) while the S&Q menu was open. I changed battery and turn back on the camera. But at point nothing worked anymore.
Hopefully you have a bit of insight about what could be the reason, or if you know a procedure for hard resetting the camera … or anything really. I am a bit desperate.
Thanks a lot for everything.
Giancarlo