Stephen Williams

Phil, What was your T stop? Stephen Williams Cameraman www.stephenw.com

Phil, Does that include cleaning and prep for telecine? Stephen Williams Lighting Cameraman www.stephenw.com

Phil, To make sunlight look like the sun you need a big light from as far away as possible. I would think 4K par or bigger from outside the window, with no fill whatsoever would have given you more the look and contrast you wanted. Stephen Williams DoP Zurich Switzerland www.stephenw.com

The Arri 435 is a MOS camera that can shoot upto 150 FPS and should never be used when recording sound. An Arricam, Arri 535, Arri BL, Moviecam , Ultracam 35 and most Panavision cameras are very quiet . Stephen Williams DoP Zurich Switzerland www.stephenw.com

Its the Aaton, located in London, the seller is away so you can't check it over! Oh I forget he has no feedback! Stephen

Hi, I find that the grain increases with a loss of contrast range with badly stored stock. (2-3 years not in the fridge + 6 aircraft flights). Very noticable with Vision 800, I was given 2000' but it worked well on a flashback scene! I tested ît first, processing and telecine on the end of another job! Stephen Williams DoP Zurich Switzerland www.stephenw.com

The Argenieux 25-250 3.7 HP is a good lens, I think better then the Cooke MkII I used. I've heard good reports of the Cooke MK III that is still in production, but there is not one to rent locally! The latest Optimo 24-290 T2.8 is fantastic! Stephen Williams DoP Zurich Switzerland www.stephenw.com

The BNCR is NOT FOR HIGH SPEED! I think the highest safe speed is 36 FPS. Only the Mitchell GC with steel gears and high speed bearings should be run High Speed. It may work for a bit, but not for long. I do know someone who killed a GC trying over 144 FPS. Finally you must oil a GC EVERY take at 100+ FPS! Stephen Williams DoP Zurich www.stephenw.com

A 1930's GC mitchell gives you pin registration, high speed and much lower price than 435! Stephen Williams DoP Zurich www.stephenw.com

You often see 16mm Mitchells on Ebay go for 500 USD! Unconverted 35mm still in militry white from 1500-2500. Hope your dream will come true! Stephen Williams DP Zurich www.stephenw.com

Hi John, How did you get on with blacking the gate? I remember your camera sn 298 or there abouts! I have found that painting the gate edges with matt black spray paint, then using candle smoke to finish off. As your camera has a capping shutter and sliding mirror there could be a number of unblacked surfaces near the lens to touch up! I know the dissolve shutter has been locked off to prevent flicker. Check that the shutter is timed and fully closed when the film is moving. Cheers, Stephen Williams DoP Zurich www.stephenw.com

I have just seen on E-Bay a book called the Animation Stand item no 4526643206. This is one of the few books, I think that could help you. Stephen Williams DoP Zurich

Hi It will cover the 1.85 area with no problem. It almost covers academy. Mechanically the lens is not so good. There is no focus gear so pulling focus without seeing any fingers is difficult. Most of the low cost PL adapters are not collimated well, so its eye focus which is not really recomended with an 8mm lens. The tests I made were very good but I recomend you film test the lens first. Stephen Williams DoP Zurich www.stephenw.com

I used it on a commercial last year when filming an older actress. The softening was very pleasant taking the sharp edge off the S4 without giving an old Hollywood look. Slightly like the old series II look but cleaner. I would use it again. Stephen Williams DoP Zurich www.stephenw.com

You can get them on E-Bay all the time. Unused ones go fo 30 usd Stephen Williams Cameraman www.stephenw.com

At 100mm the Cooke is almost a macro lens as well, you can put Kodak Gelatine filters in the back so you don't need 6x6 filters! Its Great wide open T3.1/ f2.8. The focus marks have very wide spacing ! I would pop down to a rental house if you don't know the lens and check one out. Also your clients say wow it's a Cooke lens! Its the best money I have ever spent! Stephen Williams Lighting Cameraman www.stephenw.com

I have looked at some old manuels and can add the following to my previous post:- A 1946 US army manuel states:- The GC had a turret with 4 lenses. 3 of the lenses were fixexd by 4 screws. The 4th interchangeable lens was fixed by a key latch and some set screws. The lenses available were 25,35,40,50,75,100,152,250,375 A 1967 Mitchell manuel for S35R states:- A single R8 mount and the following Super Balitar Lenses:- 20,25,35,50,75,100,152 plus the 25-250 Argeniuex zoom. Stephen Williams DoP Zurich Switzerland www.stephenw.com

I have used a 75mm that is very yellow to look at! Apparantly the glass had some sort of long term radio active decay, I think all 75's are effected. The series II were made in the 1930's, the series III from the 1950's. However they make beautiful pictures! Stephen Williams Lighting Cameraman www.stephenw.com