- Served as a cameraman for the RAF during WWII
- Daughter, the novelist Sarah Challis.
- Son, Drummond Challis, a film producer and farmer.
- President of the British Society of Cinematographers and fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.
- Specialist in colour cinematography, best known for his earlier work with Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger (from 1949) at The Archers production company. Prior to that, he had worked on early British Technicolor films as second cameraman under Georges Perinal and Jack Cardiff. During the 60's, was principal cinematographer on several British films directed by the American Stanley Donen.
- In his teens, he was a camera assistant for Gaumont-British news, then became an apprentice technician in a Technocolor laboratory.
- Second cousin of British silent film writer, editor and director Challis Sanderson.
- Started his working life as a newsreel camera assistant in his teens.
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