Comments for Alister Chapman

Comment on Exposure levels using EI ISO and zebras with the PMW-F5 and raw. by Dennis Ersöz

Dennis Ersöz — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:33:30 +0000

Very interesting Alister, thank you for this post! An important subject.

Now, without any wish of complicating things, but out of pure curiosity.
What if I want to make a simultaneous recording using the onboard options?
Let’s say the client wish to edit XAVC prior to a Raw online. Is it possible to achieve correct, or rather, optimized exposures on all files at the same time?

Thank you for taking your time!
Dennis

Comment on How big a compromise is using a DSLR zoom on a 4K camera? by Robin Probyn

Robin Probyn — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:46:35 +0000

Seems there would be a huge market for approx $5,000 10X zoom for the F5/F55 .. if $5,000,10x zoom.. 4K quality can be said in the same sentence.. ?

Comment on How big a compromise is using a DSLR zoom on a 4K camera? by Robin Probyn

Robin Probyn — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:42:46 +0000

Ok thanks..

Comment on Want to learn more about the Sony F5 and F55? by alisterchapman

alisterchapman — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:10:53 +0000

Possibly. I have been talking to Sony India about running some workshops in Mumbai and maybe Chennai.

Comment on How big a compromise is using a DSLR zoom on a 4K camera? by alisterchapman

alisterchapman — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:39:11 +0000

For HD a good 2/3″ HD zoom is a very good option and would probably be my first choice for an HD shoot. But I’m shooting in 4K for 4K delivery and an HD zoom is not as good as a DSLR lens in this case.

Comment on How big a compromise is using a DSLR zoom on a 4K camera? by Robin Probyn

Robin Probyn — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:26:11 +0000

Interesting read .. wouldnt a high end HD 2/3 zoom lens,with adaptor be ok for HD tv doc/corp work?

Comment on New lens Adapter Concept/Prototype by Galen Rath

Galen Rath — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:55:51 +0000

Would be a Godsend! I’m searching for an iphone app writer for you.

Comment on New lens Adapter Concept/Prototype by alisterchapman

alisterchapman — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:12:11 +0000

There is a lot of variation between lenses when it comes to sharpness, contrast and distortion. A zoom will always be a compromise compared to a prime lens. DSLR lenses are designed to work with 24MP sensors. A 4K camera only has around 9MP, so your working well within the design limits of the lens even at 4K. While a dedicated PL mount zoom like an Angenieux Optimo or Fujinon Cabrio will most likely out perform a similar DSLR zoom the difference at like for like apertures will not be huge when using smaller zoom ratios (say 4x). 10x and 14x zooms make more compromises in image quality, perhaps a bit of corner softness or more CA and these compromises will be better or worse at different focal lengths and apertures. At the end of the day zooms are compromises but for many shoots it may simply be that it is only by accepting some small compromises that you will get the shots. Take my storm chasing shoots. I could use primes and get better image quality, but when you only have 90 seconds to get a shot there simply isn’t time to swap lenses, so if you end up with a wide on the camera when a long lens is what is really needed, your just not going to get the shot. Using a zoom means I will get the shot. It might not be the very best quality possible but it will look good, is going to be better than I could get with an HD camera and a slightly compromised shot is better than no shot at all.
It’s all about checks and balances. It is a compromise, but a necessary one. It’s not a huge compromise as I suspect the end viewer is not going to look at the shot and say “why is that so soft?” unless they have a side by side, like for like shot to compare. DSLR zooms are not that bad!

All my prime lenses are de-clicked or never had clicks in the first place (like the Samyang Cine Primes). It’s not so much the issue of requiring a finer step than say 1/2 a stop, but more the ability to pull aperture during the shot. It’s not something I need to do often, but if I suddenly find I need to do it, I want a smooth aperture change. That being said, one of the issues with using Canon lenses with their electronic iris is that the operate in 1/8th stop steps and this is visible in any footage. Ultimately I am still committed to using Canon mount lenses simply because there are so many to choose from and they focus in the right direction. For primes I’m using the excellent and fully manual Samyang T1.5 Cine Primes.

Comment on New lens Adapter Concept/Prototype by Phil

Phil — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:24:55 +0000

Hello Alister
I’m very impressed! As an electronics engineer and cameraman I can appreciate both the difficulties of doing this and its usefulness. Well done sir!
I have for a long time thought that SLR lenses with auto focus motors would be excellent for remote focus control and with zoom and iris as well… Wow…
A quick question though (two actually). I was recently hired to do some pickups for a low budget feature. One of them was a sky line establisher. I initially tried my new 24-105 Canon zoom and found it to be noticeably softer than both my Canon and Zeiss primes. No surprise there, but how do you feel SLR zooms are going to work on the new 4K cameras? Are we asking a bit much of them? Also, I have only ever needed to once perform an iris pull in narrative film making, so I don’t often make a fuss about de-clicking SLR lenses. I like having the clicks for precision. As a seasoned camera operator, how do you feel about this small compromise (even with 1/3 stop adjustments) when using your awesome new box? Thanks

Comment on Want to learn more about the Sony F5 and F55? by Sareesh Sudhakaran

Sareesh Sudhakaran — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:17:31 +0000

Any plans to come to India this year? For some reason the F55 hasn’t found it’s way to Mumbai.