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

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Table of content
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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

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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

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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
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

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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
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Aaton
Assistant side details
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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

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Assistant side details
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
«up» key
«left» key
«down» key
«right» key
«exit» key
«set» key
«vid» key
«sto» key
«tc» key
«on-off» key
«tech» key
«sync» key
«var» key
«iso» key
«mag» key
To scroll through the setup menu and direct access to video Gain Control
To position video inserted characters and setup inserted frame lines
To scroll through the setup menu and direct access to video Gain Control
To position video inserted characters and setup inserted frame lines
To exit setup menu
To select functions
To access the video setup menu (displayed on monitor) («set» + «vid»)
To access the frame store and image comparison function
To access the TimeCode menu
To turn off and on both camera and video
To access the camera technical menu
To access synch speeds setting («set» + «sync»)
To access variable speeds setting («set» + «var»)
To access ISO setting («set» + «iso»)
To access magazine footage setting («set» + «mag»)
1
2
3
4
5 6 7 9 10
11 12
8
13 14 15

General overview
12
Aaton
operator side
1 2
3
4
5
6
7
9
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Magazine door locking lever
Magazine footage counter
Magazine door locking lever
Loop adjustment lever
Lower display key
Cameraman LCD display
Middle display key
Upper display key
Start/Stop button
To lock/unlock magazine door
To check magazine remaining footage
To lock/unlock magazine door
Loop size adjustment (while loading the mag)
To modify camera parameters
Displays camera speed and magazine remaining footage
To modify camera parameters
To modify camera parameters
To start or stop the camera

Aaton General overview
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LCD display - Assistant side
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
L (mag upper lever) and G (gate) signs
Selected speed
Magazine remaining footage
Remaining time (minutes and secondes)
Time Code
ISO selection
Video tap white balance
Video gain
Lower battery level
Upper battery level
LCD display - Cameraman side
10
9
8
7
6
5
1
2
3
4
1
3
2
Symbols blink - error (magazine upper lock or gate)
Selected speed mode (Synch or Variable)
Footage in feet or meters
Magazine remaining running time
Hour/minute/seconde - (J) shows an external TC jam
Selected ISO exposure for Timecode
5600°K, 3200°K and manual adjustment
Current gain setting
Lower battery voltage
Upper battery voltage

General overview
14
Aaton
Top view
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3/8 inserts
«Sh» tool
«Pitch» tool
Magazine upper lock lever
Collimation cap
Viewing friction screw
Tape hook
To install accessories, brackets....
Variable shutter tool
Pitch control tool
To secure the magazine on the camera body
To access ground glass collimation adjustment
To adjust the viewfinder friction
To attach a measurement tape

1
Getting started

Aaton Getting started
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Power up the camera
To turn ON the camera, press the «On/Off» key.
Power up the video (VHR)
To turn ON the video, press the «Set» key and then the «On/Off» key.
Power down the camera and video
Press the «On/Off» key. A window appears on the LCD screen. Hold the
«On/Off» key. Two bargraph timers start counting down, faster for the Video
and slower for the Camera. This allows you to power down the Video without
powering down the camera.
The «Set» key
The «Set» key allows you to access the camera’s settings. While pressing the
«Set» key, a window appears for a few seconds allowing you to access the
desired parameters.
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Aaton Getting started
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TEST mode
TEST mode allows you to open the shutter and keep it protected inside the
camera body. This mode is used to check the gate cleanliness and to find the
image while doing a steadiness test (which allows you to find the correct film
position for the second exposure).
To access TEST mode, press the «Start/Stop» button (A) - located on the
assistant side of the camera - and hold it pressed for 3 to 4 seconds. When
the shutter opens, you can release the button. If you need to inch the camera
frame by frame, press the middle display key (B) located on the cameraman
side. When you need to leave the TEST mode, press the «Start/Stop» button
again for 3 to 4 seconds.
Adjusting the Aatonite (glow)
Penelope features a viewing screen with illuminated markings referred to as
Aatonite. The level of illumination is user adjustable using the «middle» (B) and
«upper» (C) display keys located on the cameraman side. The configuration of
illuminated markings will differ slightly from one screen to another. Refer to the
screen illustration of the ground glasses list, for a specific description of each
screen type, along with its corresponding Aatonite markings.
Note : the illumination level can also be adjusted while the camera is running.
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A
B
C

Aaton Getting started
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Display colors, camera status
The camera shows its status by modifying both LCD screen’s color. This func-
tion allows the cameraman and camera crew to be immediatly informed of the
camera’s status.
Pale blue screen
-> camera is in STANDBY mode.
Orange screen
-> camera is in RUN mode, but has not reached the selected speed.
Green screen
-> camera is in RUN mode and sync.
Purple screen
-> end of film
Red screen
-> problem detected (out of phase, film jam...)

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Warning messages
Penelope LCD screens display a warning when a crucial parameter has a
problem.
Gate position (Gate)
The camera gate is removable for an easy 2 to 3 Perf format switching. The
correct positionning of the gate is mandatory for proper camera functioning
and focused pictures. The camera gate holder is equipped with 4 sensors to
check the gate position. If it is not properly positioned, the camera displays the
message «GATE MISPLACED» and refuses to start. Remove the gate and
reinstall it.
Magazine upper lock lever
The magazine top locking lever, located on top of the camera body, insures
the magazine’s proper positioning. It is equipped with a position sensor which
does not allow the camera to start if this lever is unlocked. If it is , the message
«MAG NOT LOCKED» is displayed. Lock the lever and start the camera.
Magazine footage adjustment
Press the «Set» key, then the «Mag» key to access the MAG menu. If a full
400ft roll has been loaded, adjust the footage to 400ft (122m) by pressing the
«up» or «down» key. If you load a short end in the amgazine, check the length
with the magazine footage counter and enter the same value into the MAG
menu (assistant or cameraman screen and keys can be used).

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A
A
B
B
C
D E F
G
G
H
H
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
A
Feet or meter setting
While in the Mag menu, press the «left» or «right» key to select the desired
measuring unit.
Magazine footage counter lock
Lock the magazine footage counter (A - located on the mag door) while the
camera is running.
Video gain (Direct access control panel)
All of the video adjustments are accessible through the VIDEO page. The video
gain can also be adjusted through the control panel. Press the “up” or “down”
key to change the video gain. The adjustment range is -10dB to +12dB, in
1dB steps.
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