Chater Camera

These are great people to have helping you on your event. Everyone I’ve worked with, either on-​set or in their facility, has been pro and good natured. Their inventory is always getting better to serve the needs of today’s crews. Chater Camera is awesome at what they do and a great place to prep. Thanks John, Jay, Erin, Charlie and the rest!

I was working for a National Geographic shoot when a producer called me up in a dead panic. One of our C300’s had failed to leave the warehouse in NY and our shoot was jolly well on the way to be properly FUBAR.
Luckily Chater was open, and the staff was super helpful at getting us all the gear we needed super fast. They had all the lenses and accessories we needed and even showed up early so we could get our gear squared away.
I couldn’t recommend them more.

Well when I think of the very best in the bay it’s clear and it’s obvious.
Charter Camera delivers the best service, gear and experience in the bay. I don’t even have to say they have an extensive inventory of everything. (But I said it anyway). Yeah everything you might need. Well maintained gear and more often than not the newest gear in the Bay Area.
Jay, John, Erin and Charley are amazing experts that can solve every issue in a heartbeat. True professionals with a passion for commercial and film making. Phantom, Arri, Cannon, Cook, Optimo you name it these guys have it and know how to use it.
If I have a choice its Charter camera. I wish they were in SF. But hey it doesn’t matter… they will get you what you want when you want it.

Every step of the way, Chater camera is absolutely friendly, professional, and fair priced. Everyone on staff are there to help you get the equipment you need. The owners, John and Jay, are always willing to jump on a call with you to make sure you the right gear for your job.
If they don’t have it, they can get it in for your project.
I have worked consistently with them for many years and they are always my first call!

Chater Camera is THE go-​to rental house in the SF Bay Area. I have been renting from Chater Camera for the past 8 years or so. Jay, John, Mecky, Erin and the rest of the staff never cease to go above and beyond in providing great customer service. The selection of gear and the knowledge behind it is top notch. No matter how big or small your production is they can accommodate you.
There is a lot of ego in this business but you won’t find any of it at Chater. They care about what they do and the people they rent to.

Chater Camera, can’t say enough about them. A professional camera house, catering some of the best and most high end equipment to the local film industry.
For the learned, tools equipped and professionsal cinematographer or camera assistant, they are the go to camera house in the Bay Area. Always providing me with the right tools, in the best condition with the most options and dependability one could want.
Their prep floor techs are knowledgeable, helpful and eager to assist you in outfitting your camera package according to the job’s needs. Their customer service and administrative staff are happy to help you and sort out any silly issues you could possibly have with their service.
If there’s a bit of kit you need and they don’t carry, they can always find it for you and subrent it from elsewhere (provided you give them a day’s notice). Making them a one stop shop for pickups & returns!
Again, I can’t say enough…

I love Chater Camera! With a deep and abiding affection reserved for those who have treated me with nothing but benevolence.
I’ve rented from Chater Camera for a variety of projects over the past decade or so and it is always a pleasure. Their team is courteous, knowledgeable and professional. Their gear is always in good shape, their kits are always complete.
Mister Jay Farrington is a gear nerd of the highest order who is not condescending to the gear-​inept such as myself. If he has a fancy, expensive piece of equipment but he knows you can get what you need from something less pricey — he will let you know.
Tips and tricks? They’ve got em and are happy to impart. Need a Camera Op or a Sound Engineer? Likely they can help you find someone. Lights? They’ve got those too! Why would you go anywhere else? I don’t!

I have been renting cameras, lights, lenses, monitors, …you name it, from Chater, since 2005. They have always been on the forefront of digital cinema, offering the latest and best gear at fair prices, offering sound advice on what rigs to go with for specific jobs/​budgets, and ALWAYS with friendly, top notch service. Whether you are looking for an HDSLR or Phantom package (or anything in between), there is no better video camera and lens rental house in the Bay Area. Period.

Solid. Reliable. Dependable. These are the guys and gals you want to have your back. They are always willing to give extra effort to make sure your project is a success, from big budget projects to tiny personal shoots. Many years of experience combined with cutting-​edge, up to date insight.

Chater camera is your best bet for camera and support in the Sf bay.
Ive been a loyal customer for 10 yrs.
The staff is always helpful, nice, and on top of everything.
If you are renting a big prod package or just a few small items you will always get the attention and service no matter the size of your rental. (not quite the same with La and Nyc)
And if you are just renting glass or accessories they are happy to help.
Ive had come in with little knowledge of the gear I wanted to rent, and by the time I was ready to go the guys walked me through everything and even helped me pack my car!
And its not usual but if you are flying in and need to grab camera, a little light pkg and some Audio. They can set you up!
So one stop renting, for the out of towners. How I wish this existed in other cities…
From Phantom’s to Alexa’s to 5d’s. Chater has you covered.

Hands down the best rental house in the Bay Area. In terms of gear selection, knowledge and service, Chater Camera has had me covered (saved my ass) for more than ten years. I’ve used every service they provide, from gear rental to on-​set engineering and tech support, and only have positive things to say about these folks. I’ve never unpacked one of their kits to find something missing, or a battery uncharged. The way they approach helping clients with new or unfamiliar gear is particularly outstanding; so many camera people have an arrogant attitude that is neither collaborative or helpful, and Chater has always made me feel safe to ask questions and be a doofus about some aspect of using something new.

The guys at Chater are the best. They have a large selection of the latest high-​quality cameras, lenses, and accessories. They are extremely helpful and knowledgable. They also have your lighting needs covered if you’re doing a smaller, doc-​style production. They have great rates and a no-​nonsense approach to pricing which is something I miss when I have to deal with some of the rental houses down in LA. I’d recommend them to anyone that asks!

We’ve worked with Chater camera for about 10 years to source all of our camera needs and to find occasional freelance specialists, and it’s been a complete pleasure. It’s hard to review them succinctly because they are amazing on so many levels:
First, as a rental house, they provide dependable, well maintained, up-​to-​date equipment, and they stand behind it. And when they send it to the shoot with you, it will be in top condition, guaranteed.
Secondly, they have a high level of technical expertise and they are happy to share it. When we come in with a shoot in mind, we love talking it out with Jay Farrington (my favorite camera technical person on the planet) before we rent. He’s got such great insight and experience, he always makes shoots better.
And finally, they’re fun. They are both professional and collaborative. They love to geek out about what’s coming in, what people are shooting and what kinds of changes are on the horizon. But they’re not doing it to show off or one-​up anyone, they just love the sport of filmmaking. And that my friend, is what we’re all after, right? Working with people who love making stuff and who want to help you make something great! I’m so glad they are there.

Chater Camera is awesome. Providing the best high quality motion picture camera equipment to the Bay Area, Chater is the first rental house I recommend to LA, New York, and local productions filming in Northern California.
Always up to date with the latest selection of camera systems, support, and optics, Chater Camera offers equipment for any size video production. As a Bay Area freelance Camera Assistant, I’ve prepped camera packages at Chater for anything from high end broadcast commercials to run&gun style documentaries. Every time Chater delivers clean, well cared for, equipment combined with superior customer service.
The Management and Prep Techs at Chater Camera are always prepared with insightful knowledge about everything in rentals. Jay and Erin provide excellent support for all rental negotiations. Charlie freelances as the in house DIT and Phantom Tech guru. Casey, Mecky, and Jesse are all brilliant technicians who have helped me during camera preps for years. Everyone is a distinctly nice avid professional pleased to answer any question.
I’m looking forward to a camera prep at Chater again this week! Check Chater Camera out for all your digital video camera needs!

These are my homeys. They take great care of me. Closest thing I’ve found to an LA rental house in the Bay Area, and the only real differences are (1) the gear is in top notch shape every time and (2) everything is packed professionally for every job in custom cases that are laid out the same every time.
And, best of all, the support is exceptional. The lead prep tech, Mecky, is awesome, and if you need a great DIT or Phantom tech be sure to ask for Charlie, who is on staff but also freelances as needed and is both personable and completely professional.
If you’re looking for a film-​style HD camera rental house in the Bay Area with hardcore engineering chops and top notch in-​house talent, this is the place.

Chater Camera is the best rental house I’ve ever worked with. Everyone on the staff gets a A+ for customer service. If I’m renting a piece of equipment for the first time, or if I’ve never used it before, they are willing to take extra time with me to show me best practices, or explain the ins and outs of using it. I never feel rushed out the door before I’m ready.
The kits are always complete, ready-​to-​go and in great shape. They have everything you’d ever need for a shoot. I’ve been their customer for at least 7,8 years and have yet to find them lacking. Plus they are easy to deal with, and just plain nice! I hope to do business with them for years to come.
Chater Camera is THE BEST!

Chater Camera deserves high marks for their selection of quality, professional gear. However, I have to give them the poorest possible rating for customer service and thoroughness.
I rented a follow focus from Chater Camera and repeatedly stated that I needed the focus for 19 mm rails. After completing an excessive number of online forms, I sent a courier to pick up the items. The follow focus was delivered to me ready to mount to 15 mm rails, not 19 mm. Further, their kit did *not* include the tool to switch the mounts.
When I called Chater Camera to complain that they ignored my request to set up the focus for 19 mm rails, their team ‘blamed the victim’. Their position was that I should have had the right tool in our tool kit to make the change. I have never rented from a pro house anywhere with more callous disregard for needs of their customers.
My advice, only rent here if you have no other choice and then go to their store personally to pick up the items and check them yourself. If they get the order wrong, they are going to blame you for their lack of professionalism and thoroughness.

Chater is awesome. I rented a matte box, some ND filters, and several other items at a great price. And when a big, high budget production crew rolled through and tried to rent items that I had reserved, Chater made sure that I had everything I needed before renting out to the big guys. Thanks, Chater!

I’ve used Chater on 5 separate occasions for camera rentals on film productions. Not only was the equipment perfect, but these guys were amazing to work with. Once, we made a mistake on our rental return and they were kind enough to work with me on lowering the rental cost, even though the mistake was totally mine, not theirs.