AAton Penelope User manual

penelope
by Aaton
User’s guide version V1.1
December 2008
Aaton 35mm motion picture camera 2 & 3 Perf
Aaton

Aaton
Table of content
2
General overview
Front view.......................................................................................................................p.7
Rear view.......................................................................................................................p.8
Assistant side.................................................................................................................p.9
Assistant side details....................................................................................................p.10
Cameraman side..........................................................................................................p.12
LCD displays................................................................................................................p.13
Top view.......................................................................................................................p.14
1 Getting started
Power the camera on..................................................................................................p.16
Power the video (VHR) on............................................................................................p.16
Power the camera and video off..................................................................................p.16
«Set» key......................................................................................................................p.16
The TEST mode...........................................................................................................p.17
Adjusting the Aatonite (Glow)........................................................................................p.17
Display colors, camera status.....................................................................................p.18
Warning messages.......................................................................................................p.19
Gate position................................................................................................................p.19
Magazine top locking lever...........................................................................................p.19
Magazine footage adjustment......................................................................................p.19
Feet or meters setting....................................................................................................p.20
Magazine footage counter lock.....................................................................................p.20
Video gain (Direct access control panel).......................................................................p.20
2 Camera body
2.1 Lenses..................................................................................................................p.23

Aaton
Table of content
3
The Arri PL lens port.....................................................................................................p.23
The Panavision PV lens port.........................................................................................p.23
Installing the lens..........................................................................................................p.23
2.2 Viewing system
Viewfinder options........................................................................................................p.24
Attaching the extension eyepiece.................................................................................p.24
Viewfinder tension adjustment......................................................................................p.25
Adjusting the viewing horizon.......................................................................................p.26
Adjusting the diopter.....................................................................................................p.26
The eyepiece shutter....................................................................................................p.26
Viewing screen.............................................................................................................p.26
Changing the viewing screen........................................................................................p.27
Adjusting the viewing screen........................................................................................p.27
2.3 The variable shutter
Concept.......................................................................................................................p.28
Adjusting the shutter.....................................................................................................p.28
2.4 Film gate and pulldown claw
Adjusting the pitch........................................................................................................p.30
The side pressure bar...................................................................................................p.30
The film gate................................................................................................................p.30
2.5 Camera power
Installing the batteries on the camera...........................................................................p.31
Charging the batteries..................................................................................................p.32
Other power options....................................................................................................p.32

Aaton Table of content
4
2.6 Motors
Camera speeds............................................................................................................p.33
Using external speed devices.......................................................................................p.34
2.7 LCD control panel and «Jog» wheel, assistant side
The Aaton «Jog» wheel................................................................................................p.34
Basics : «Sync», «Var», «Iso», «Mag»............................................................................p.35
Aatoncode (Timecode) reading....................................................................................p.35
ISO setting...................................................................................................................p.36
Camera preset (SYNC) speed......................................................................................p.36
Camera variable (VAR) speed.......................................................................................p.37
Adjusting the battery warning levels.............................................................................p.37
Low battery alerts........................................................................................................p.38
LCDs contrast adjustment............................................................................................p.39
Lemo 2 connector modes............................................................................................p.39
2.8 Accessible settings on the cameraman side......................................................p.40
3 The magazine
3.1 Concept................................................................................................................p.43
3.2 Pressure plates system
The gate plate..............................................................................................................p.43
The picture plate..........................................................................................................p.43

Aaton Table of content
5
3.3 Loading.................................................................................................................p.44
Loading in the dark......................................................................................................p.45
Installing the magazine.................................................................................................p.49
Removing the magazine...............................................................................................p.49
4 The video assist (VHR)
4.1 Video Menu..........................................................................................................p.51
Gain, Output, Color temp, Saturation, Color Bars outputing, User color Temp...............p.52
4.2 Frame Menu.........................................................................................................p.53
4.3 Logo......................................................................................................................p.54
4.4 Technical Menu....................................................................................................p.55
TimeCode menu..........................................................................................................p.55
Font Menu...................................................................................................................p.55
Auto Power Off............................................................................................................p.56
VITC Position...............................................................................................................p.56
Time & Cam position....................................................................................................p.56
5 Technical specifications
Connectors..................................................................................................................p.58
Viewing screens list......................................................................................................p.60

General overview

Aaton General overview
7
Front view
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Short eyepiece
Horizon setting knob
Friction adjusting ring
Fischer-2 connector
PL mount locking ring
LEMO 2 connector
Arri rosette
Video (VHR) iris ring
Video housing
Top rod holder
---------
To adjust the image horizon
To adjust the tension of the eyepiece swivel
Eyepiece heating cable connector
Lock ring for 35mm PL mounted lenses
Start/Stop cable connector
For accessories equipped with Arri rosette
To adjust the video iris aperture
Protects the CCD unit
To install a rod (15-15,8 or 19mm)

General overview
8
Aaton
Rear view
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Upper battery locking screw
LEMO 6 connectors
USB connector
LEMO 8 connector
Magazine release lever
LEMO 5 connector
Gate
On/Off button
Magazine upper top lever
Fastens the upper on-board battery
Provide 12V, Start and ground for accessories
Used to connect USB key
Provides 12V, Start, Sync pulse and ground for accessories
Used to release the magazine from the camera body
Timecode communication
Removable gate, 2-Perf or 3-Perf
Used to start and stop the camera
Used to secure the magazine on the camera body
A4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Aaton General overview
9
Assistant side
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Upper battery locking screw
Start/Stop button
Fischer-4 connectors
Jog wheel
Pitch control
Video (VHR) iris ring
BNC connectors
Magazine release lever
LEMO 8 connector
Ethernet cable locking lever
Lower battery locking screw
LEMO 6 connectors
Fastens the upper on-board battery
To start and stop the camera
Provide power and composite video signal for MiniMonitors
Quick camera parameters settings
Accurate claw pulldown stroke adjustment
To adjust the video iris aperture
Provide video output
To remove the magazine from the camera body
Provides 12V, Start, Sync pulse and ground for accessories
To lock the Ethernet cable when connected
Fastens the lower on-board battery
Provide 12V, Start and ground for accessories
1 2 3 4
56791011
12 8

General overview
10
Aaton
Assistant side details
A4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
8
10
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Fischer-4 connectors
Jog wheel
LCD screen
Setting keys
Ethernet connector
BNC connectors
LEMO-8 connector
Lower battery locking screw
Ethernet cable locking lever
LEMO-6 connectors
Start/Stop button
Upper battery locking screw
Provide power and composite video signal for MiniMonitors
Quick camera parameters settings
Displays camera and video parameters
Allows access to camera and video adjustments
For camera and computer communication (under cover)
Provide video output
Provides 12V, Start, Sync pulse and ground for accessories
Fastens the lower on-board battery
To lock the Ethernet cable when connected
Provide 12V, Start and ground for accessories
To start and stop the camera
Fastens the upper on-board battery