AAton Penelope User manual

penelope
by Aaton
User’s guide v1.33 (rev.1)
Aug. 19 2010
Aaton 35mm 2-Perf & 3-Perf motion picture camera
Aaton

Aaton
Table of content
2
General overview 7
Front view 8
Rear view 9
Assistant’s side 10
Assistant’s controls 11
Assistant’s controls - detailed view 12
Operator’s side 13
Top view 15
Getting started 16
Power up the camera electronics 17
Power up the VHR video-assist 17
Power down the camera electronics and video-assist 17
The «set» key 17
TEST mode 18
Adjusting the Aatonite (glow) 18
Film camera status 19
Warning messages 20
Magazine footage adjustment 21
Foot or meter setting 21
Footage counting 21
Manual footage counter 22
Video-assist direct access 22

Aaton
Table of content
3
Camera body 23
2.1 Lenses 24
The PL lens port 24
The PV lens port 24
i/lenses compatibility 24
2.2 Viewing System 25
Eyepiece 25
Attaching the finder extension 25
Viewfinder tension adjustment 26
Adjusting the viewing horizon 26
Adjusting the diopter 27
The eyepiece shutter 27
Viewing screen 27
Changing the viewing screen 28
Adjusting the viewing screen 28
2.3 The variable shutter 29
Concept 29
Adjusting the shutter 29
2.4 Film gate and pulldown claw 30
Adjusting the pitch 30
The side pressure bar 30
The film gate 30

Aaton Table of content
4
2.5 Camera power 31
Installing batteries 31
Charging the batteries 32
Other power sources 32
2.6 Motors 33
Film frame-rate 33
Using external speed control 34
2.7 Assistant’s side LCD control panel and jog 34
The jog 34
Basics: «sync», «var», «iso», «mag» 35
AatonCode initialization 35
Timecode generator 36
ISO setting 37
SYNC speed 37
VAR speed 37
EXT speed 38
EXT SYNC speed 38
Low battery alert 39
Technical menu 39
LEMO start mode 40
Video Out menu 40
System Time 41
Adjusting the low-battery alert level 41
Display contrast adjustment 42
External Sync 42
Footage Mode 42

Aaton Table of content
5
Software Version 43
Lens Data 43
Video-assist proxies 43
Firmware Install 44
Slow Start 45
No Film Mode 45
2.8 Operator’s side settings 46
2.9 Cold weather tips 47
Magazine 48
3.1 Concept 49
3.2 Pressure plate system 49
Claw rear pressure plate 49
Picture rear pressure plate 49
3.3 Loading the film (in 17 steps) 50
In the light 50
In the dark 51
Still in the dark 52
Still in the dark 53
In the light again 54
Installing the magazine 55
Removing the magazine 55

Aaton Table of content
6
Video-assist 56
4.1 Image look (Video menu) 57
• Gain 58
•Color temp.58
• Color saturation 58
• Color bars 58
• Color/B&W out (Output). 58
4.2 Frame & mask 59
4.3 Proxies capture 60
4.4 Metadata insert 61
• AatonCode 61
• Battery voltage 61
• VITC line & parity (not yet functional) 61
• Lens Data 61
• Film status 62
• Software/hardware 62
4.5 Logos 62
Technical drawings 63

General overview

General overview
8
Aaton
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
Rosette
Video (VHR) ND knob
Video housing
Top rod holder
(Extension eyepiece to be ordered separately)
To adjust the image horizon
To adjust the tension of the eyepiece swivel
Eyepiece heating cable connector
Lock ring for 35mm PL mounted lenses
Run/Stop connector
For accessories compatible with ARRI rosettes
To adjust the video light level
Protects the CCD unit
To install a rod (15, 15.8 or 19mm)

Aaton General overview
9
Rear view
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Upper battery locking screw
LEMO-6 socket (x2)
USB socket
LEMO-8 socket
Magazine release lever
LEMO-5 socket
Gate
Run/Stop switch
Magazine locking lever
Fastens the upper onboard battery
Provides +Batt, Start and Ground for accessories
Connects to a 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
Runs/stops the film
Secures the magazine to the camera body
A4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

General overview
10
Aaton
Assistant’s side
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Upper battery locking screw
Run/Standby switch
Fischer-4 socket
Jog wheel
Pitch control
Video (VHR) ND knob
BNC connectors (x2)
Magazine release lever
LEMO-8 socket
Lower battery locking screw
LEMO-6 socket (x2)
Fastens the upper onboard battery
Runs and stops the film shooting
Provides power and composite video signal for MiniMonitors
Modifies camera parameter settings
Adjusts the claw pulldown stroke
Adjusts the video light level
Provide video output
Unlocks the magazine from the camera body
Provides +Batt., Start, Sync and Ground for accessories
Fastens the lower onboard battery
Provides +Batt., Start and Ground for accessories
56791011
1 2 3 4
8

Aaton General overview
11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Fischer-4 socket
Jog wheel
LCD screen
Setting keys
Ethernet connector (RJ45)
BNC sockets
LEMO-8 socket
Lower battery locking screw
Ethernet cable locking lever
LEMO-6 socket (x2)
Run/Stop switch
Upper battery locking screw
Provides power and composite video signal for MiniMonitors (IVS compatible)
Camera parameters settings
Displays camera and video parameters
Allows access to camera and video operating menu
Computer communication
Video outputs
+Batt., Start, Sync and Ground for accessories
Fastens the lower onboard battery
Locks Ethernet cable
Provides +Batt., Start and Ground for accessories
Runs/stops the film
Fastens the upper onboard battery
A4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
8
10
11
12
Assistant’s controls

General overview
12
Aaton
Assistant’s controls - detailed view
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
scroll video-assist and film camera setups (direct access to video-assist’s gain)
scroll video and camera setups (direct access to shutter phasing)
scroll video and camera setups (direct access to video-assist’s gain)
scroll video and camera setups (direct access to shutter phasing)
confirm setup menu
select functions
access video-assist setups ((«set» + «vid» activate monitor display)
access Framestore page
access Timecode page
apply power to film camera electronics («set» + «on-off activate video-assist)
access Technical page
access synch speed settings («set» + «sync»)
access variable speed settings («set» + «var») and external speed control
access ISO and magazine IDs («set» + «iso»)
access magazine footage settings («set» + «mag»)
A4
1
2
3
4
5 6 7 9 10
11 12
8
13 14 15

Aaton General overview
13
Operator’s side
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Magazine door locking lever
Magazine footage counter
Magazine door locking lever
Take-up spool inching knob
Lower display key
Operator’s LCD display
Middle display key
Upper display key
Run/Stop switch
Locks/unlocks magazine door
Manually checks magazine footage
Locks/unlocks magazine door
Adjusts loop size while loading the magazine
Modifies camera parameters
Displays camera speed and magazine footage
Modifies camera parameters
Modifies camera parameters
Runs/stops the film
1 2
3
4
5
6
7
9
8

General overview
14
Aaton
LCD display - Assistant’s side
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
L (mag upper lever) and G (gate) flags
Selected speed
Magazine footage
Remaining time (minutes and seconds)
Time code
Film ISO
Video-assist white balance
Video-assist gain
Lower battery meter
Upper battery meter
LCD display - Operator’s side
10
9
8
7
6
5
1
2
3
4
1
3
2
Symbols blink - error (magazine upper lock or gate)
Sync/Var./Ext. frame-rate (thousanths not displayed)
Remaining or elapsed footage, in feet or meters
Magazine remaining running time
Hour : minute : second [initialization]
ISO for correct AatonCode matrix exposure
5600°K, 3200°K and Assistant entered values
Current gain setting
Lower battery voltage
Upper battery voltage

Aaton General overview
15
Top view
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3/8” inserts
«Sh» tool
«Pitch» tool
Magazine’s upper lock
Collimation cap
Viewfinder friction screw
Tape hook
Socket for accessories
Shutter angle adjustment tool
Pulldown pitch adjustment tool
Secures the magazine to the camera body
Gives access to ground glass collimation adjustment
Adjusts the viewfinder up-down freedom of movement
Holds the focus distance tape on the gate plane

1
Getting started

Aaton Getting started
17
Power up the camera electronics
To turn ON the camera electronics, press the «on/off» key.
Power up the VHR video-assist
To turn ON the video-assist, press the «set» key and then the «on/off» key.
Power down the camera electronics and video-assist
Press the «on/off» key, a window appears on the LCD screen. Hold the
«on/off» key, a bargraph timer starts counting down.
When finished, the screen displays Au revoir.
The «set» key
The «set» key gives access to the camera’s settings. While pressing the
«set» key, a window appears for a few seconds allowing you to access the
desired parameters.
A4

Aaton Getting started
18
TEST mode
The TEST mode lets you open the shutter and keep it protected inside the
camera body. This is used to check the gate for cleanliness and to find the
image while doing a steadiness test. This lets you find the correct film/perf
position for the second film passage if you are using the double exposure
method.
To access the TEST mode, press the «Run/Stop» switch (A) – located on
both the Assistant’s and Operator’s sides — and hold it pressed for 3 to 4
seconds. When the shutter opens, the display background color turns dark
blue, release the switch.
If you want to inch the film frame by frame, press the upper key (C) located
on the Operator’s side. To leave the TEST mode, press the «Run/Stop»
switch again for 3 to 4 seconds.
Adjusting the Aatonite (glow)
The viewing screen carries illuminated markings referred to as Aatonite. The
brightness level is user adjustable using the middle (B) or upper (C) keys
located on the Operator’s side.
The configuration of these markings is different from one screen to another
(see the screen illustrations, Chapter 5).
NOTE: the brightness level can also be adjusted while the film is running.
A4
A
B
C

Aaton Getting started
19
Film camera status
The LCD screen color informs the camera crew about the shooting status:
Light cyan
The camera is in STANDBY.
Orange
The camera is in RUN, but has not yet reached the selected speed.
Green
The camera is in RUN at the selected speed.
Purple
The camera is at end of film
Red
A problem has been detected, e.g. film jam.

Aaton Getting started
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Warning messages
When a problem has been detected, the LCD screen’s background turns red
followed by an explanatory message.
Gate position
The camera gate is easily removable to allow switching between 2-Perf and
3-Perf formats. The correct positioning 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 the gate is not proper-
ly positioned, the camera displays the message GATE MISPLACED and
refuses to run. 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 run if this lever is unlocked; the message
MAG NOT LOCKED is displayed and the camera refuses to run. Lock the
lever and press RUN.