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USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 3 INTRODUCTION This manual contains the handling, care and operating instructions for the Aaton 16mm XTRprod camera and its peripherals. Also included are chapters dedicated to the Super16 widescreen format and AatonCode, Aaton’s patented in-camera timecode system. Aatonomics In keeping in line with the budget-conscious nature of 16 and Super16 production, Aaton offers three camera models - X0plus, XTRplus and XTRprod.
USER 16 US.sept 8/5/97 17:14 Page 4 AATON XTRprod User Guide This manual has first been written by Peter Abel - ABELCINE TECH AATON 2 rue de la Paix 38000 Grenoble FRANCE (33) 4 7642 9550 (33) 4 7651 3491 fax (c) june 1997 Aaton / Grenoble , France. All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. For more information please contact Aaton.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 SYSTEM FEATURES AND CONTROLS Front View Rear View Battery Side Motor Side LCD Control Panel - Quick Reference 2 12 13 14 15 16 THE CAMERA BODY 2.1 Lenses ArriPL Lens Port Installing the Lens Aaton Lens Port 2.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 6 Installing the Battery on the Camera Battery Charging Other Power Options 2.8 Motor Camera Speeds Using External Speed Devices Electronic Inching 2.9 Lightmeter Display Operation Using the Lightmeter without Running Film Testing and Adjusting the Meter Turning the Lightmeter Off 2.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS The Beamsplitter Axis Adjustment The Manual Iris Battery Life with CCD Assists Installing the CCD Heads The VR46 Color CCD Assist Menu Operation 3 THE MAGAZINE 3.1 Concept 3.2 Compatibility DX Magazines Super16 Safe 3.3 Pressure Plate System The Picture Plate The Claw Plate 3.4 Mag Identification System Mag ID Changing the ID of a Magazine 3.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 8 4.6 Transport 4.7 Extreme Conditions Cold Weather Warm Weather 5 CLEANING 5.1 Lens Lens Elements Lens Exterior Mounting Surface 5.2 Body Exterior Mounting Surfaces Camera Gate 5.3 Viewing System Viewing Screen Eyepiece Viewfinder 5.4 Magazine Exterior Pressure Plates Interior / Film Path 6 78 78 78 78 78 78 79 79 79 79 80 81 81 81 81 81 SUPER16 6.1 Super16 The Format When to Shoot Super16 6.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 9 TABLE OF CONTENTS 6.4 Super16 Field Conversions Before You Begin Procedure 7 AATONCODE 7.1 Concept 7.2 The Internal Clock 7.3 OriginCplus 7.4 Initializing AatonCode in the Camera Using the OriginCplus - Recommended Method Using an External SMPTE Device 7.5 Monitoring and Maintaining AatonCode Monitoring AatonCode with OriginCplus Maintaining AatonCode without OriginCplus 7.6 GMT1 7.
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USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 12 1 2 3 8 9 4 10 5 6 7 1.1 FRONT VIEW 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 Friction Adjusting Ring Tape Measure Stud Lateral Lock Knob Beamsplitter Access Cap CCD Cover PL Lens Port Wooden Handgrip Eyepiece Lock Ring Eyepiece Shutter Body Run/Test Switch adjusts the tension of the eyepiece swivel. holds tape measure at film plane. locks the lateral position of the viewfinder. covers the port which accesses the beamsplitter adjustment screw. accesses the CCD head.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 13 GENERAL OVERVIEW 13 14 15 11 16 12 17 18 19 20 1.2 BACK VIEW 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Magnetic Drive Mag Release Lever Amph9 Manual Iris Lever Lemo14 Battery Lock Screw Camera Fuse XLR4 Lemo8 Lemo6 provides magnetic magazine coupling. releases the magazine for removal. accessory input provides +/-, Hz, and camera run functions. controls CCD iris operation. connects CCD head to the CCD control unit. fastens the on-board battery to the camera body.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 14 21 26 27 22 23 28 24 29 25 30 1.3 BATTERY SIDE 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 14 CCD Control Unit CCD On/Off Carrying handle Diopter Set Ring Run/Test Switch Take-up Latch On-board Battery LED Indicators Lemo2 Adjusting Screw fastens to the body for CCD operation. powers the CCD assist. Switch off to conserve battery life. includes tape measure stud, 3/8-16 accessory hole and adjusting tools.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 15 GENERAL OVERVIEW 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 32 39 40 1.4 MOTOR SIDE 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 LCD Control Panel Carrying Handle Lemo5 Lightmeter On/Off LED Indicators Motor Aaton Jog AatonCode Led Feed Latch Mag Footage Counter displays AatonCode, ASA, speed, voltage, remaining footage. includes tape measure stud, 3/8-16 accessory hole and adjusting tools. AatonCode and SMPTE timecode communication. activates the lightmeter display in the viewfinder.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 16 1.
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USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 20 2.1 LENSES The XTRprod’s flexible lens mounting system allows for the use of a wide variety of 16mm, 35mm and still-photographic lenses. Flange focal distance Refers to the critical distance from the lens seat to the film plane. The precise FFD of the XTRprod is 52mm -6 to 15µm as measured with a depth gauge in the lens port. It is recommended that these tolerances be checked and maintained by a qualified technician.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 21 THE CAMERA BODY ring is tight enough so that it cannot be inadvertantly unlocked. 2.1.3 Aaton Lens Port The XTRprod can also be equipped with an Aaton lens port. In order to install the Aaton port, the ArriPL lens seat and locking ring must first be removed. Because the FFD of the Aaton lens port is shorter than most professional cameras (40mm), the XTRprod, equipped with this mount, can accommodate most motion picture and still camera lens mounts.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 22 the hyperlong finder, which is twice as long as the standard extension finder, can be used. Note that standard short eyepiece can now be equipped with a heating system; in order to avoid any condensation on the eyepiece lens. Aaton can provide you a heating lens and the corresponding Amph9 cable. 2.2.2 Attaching the Extension Finder In order to use an extension finder on the XTRprod, the standard eyepiece must first be removed.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 23 THE CAMERA BODY d c b a rotate the adjusting ring slightly and retighten the screw; 1/8 of a turn, at first, will have an effect. To increase tension of the eyepiece swivel, rotate the adjusting ring clockwise; to decrease the tension, rotate the adjusting ring counter-clockwise. 2.2.4 Adjusting the Diopter Before shooting, the diopter setting of the viewfinder should be adjusted to the operator’s eye.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 24 the eyepiece shutter must be closed any time the camera is running film and the operator’s eye is away from the viewfinder. To close the eyepiece shutter on the standard bellows eyepiece, grasp the rubber ring at the base of the eyecup and rotate 1/8 of a turn counterclockwise. On the extension finder and the old style standard eyepiece, locate the small tab at the base of the rubber eyecup and slide it until the shutter completely covers the eyepiece opening.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 25 THE CAMERA BODY between std 16 and Super16 operation, the XTRprod requires separate screens for std 16 and Super16 formats. 2.2.8 Changing the Viewing Screen The viewing screen is designed to be easily removed by the user for the purposes of interchanging or for cleaning. To remove the screen, unscrew the black tool marked Vw located in the hollow at the rear of the camera’s carrying handle. Remove the port cap.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 26 Attention ! Each time you're touching the mirror, the viewing screen, or anything inside the lens port, disconnect the battery. You will therefore avoid any risk of seriously damaging your camera. 2.2.9 Adjusting the Viewing Screen The image on the viewing screen should be sharp, and its focus should match to that of the film.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 27 THE CAMERA BODY through the viewfinder and rotate the jog to set the desired level of illumination. The markings will remain illuminated for a full 2 minutes after the camera is set in the off position. The illumination level set in test position will be memorized and recalled once the camera is run. The illumination level can also be readjusted while the camera is running. The configuration of illuminated markings will differ slightly between screen types.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 28 the lens holder (see diagram). Gently rotate the shutter at its base with your finger until the brass driving gear is centered underneath the tool guiding hole. Insert the shutter tool through the guiding hole and into the brass gear. Rotate the tool until the appropriate notched shutter setting is reached; turning counterclockwise will reduce the shutter opening, turning clockwise will increase the opening. When setting the opening to 172.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 29 THE CAMERA BODY Aaton is able to achieve an ultra-precise pulldown with a minimal number of moving parts. The co-planar concept is the key to the camera’s low-noise operation. The film gate also features a side pressure bar which is recessed into the claw-side rail at the point of image exposure to assure maximum lateral stability.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 30 For a few years now, Aaton has inserted a spacer between the lens port and the camera body. This thin (0.3mm) metallic ring is responsible for the precise distance between the lens port seat and the film plane called the flange focal distance (FFD), and therefore it is also mainly responsible for the sharpness of the images. Anyone who would like to change the FFD of his own camera should now do so by simply changing the spacer, and only with the spacer.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 31 THE CAMERA BODY now appear to be less sharp than usual. Most likely, you may need to readjust the precise focus of the viewing screen. Refer to the 2.9 section of this chapter to proceed. 2.5.5 Flange Focal Distances Here are the flange focal distances for all the lens port available for the XTRprod. Mont Aaton (AA) Arriflex (PL) Panavision (PV) Reference 01 112 35 01 113 20 01 113 25 FFD 40.00 mm 52.00 mm 57.15 mm Diametre 50.00 mm 54.00 mm 49.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 32 carrying handle of the camera as you guide the mag in place. Push firmly and evenly until you feel and hear the magazine snap into place. 6.2 Removing the Magazine To remove the magazine, situate yourself as before, towards the rear motor side of the camera. Grasp the magazine anywhere which is comfortable at its rear. Place your hand above the motor of the camera and push the mag release lever towards the front of the camera with your thumb.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 33 THE CAMERA BODY accessories. With accessories in use, this number will decrease. 2.7.1 Installing the Battery on the Camera The on-board battery fits below the CCD control unit on the battery side of the camera body. In order to install, loosen the black knurled screw approximately four or five turns. Push the battery evenly onto the XLR4 connection on the body. When snug, tighten the knurled screw onto the battery tab to hold it in place.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Nicad Batteries Tips Follow a few simple rules to insure the long life of your nicad cells: • Allow batteries to run through their normal cycle of charging and use. Avoid topping off partially full batteries. Once every few months, discharge cells to 810V using a standard discharger to minimize their memory. • Do not rapid-charge your cells more than necessary, as the added heat will eventually shorten their life span.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 35 THE CAMERA BODY enables the body to run at any speed between 3 and 75 in .001 frame increments. A phase adjustment of the variable speed is accessible from the EX/VAR selector. The camera speed can also be adjusted while the camera is running in either sync or variable mode. For more information on these speed functions, refer to section LCD Control Panel and Jog of this chapter. 2.8.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 36 operation and loop situating. •From a Remote Cable The Lemo2 connector, as well as Lemo6, Lemo8 and Amph9 accessory connectors, provide the capability of using a remote on/off with either a half-frame or full-frame inching function. 2.9 LIGHTMETER The XTRprod is equipped with an internal lightmeter that is designed to read the quantity of light reflected off the film itself. For added accuracy, the meter measures the light by means of two photocells.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 37 THE CAMERA BODY stock being used. Set the camera to run or test position and adjust the lens iris until the center green diode is darkened; this will be your proper metered exposure. Remember, the lightmeter is giving you an average reading of the entire frame. You may choose to vary the suggested exposure according to subject conditions. 2.9.3 Using the Lightmeter without Running Film It is also possible to use the lightmeter without actually running the camera.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 38 darkened, the camera’s lightmeter is set correctly. If the darkened diode is to the left or right, it is possible to adjust its reading. • 5 - To access the lightmeter potentiometer, remove the complete viewfinder by means of the four screws which mount it to the front housing. Locate the hole between the two viewfinder screwholes on the top motor side of the front housing. The white potentiometer will be visible within this hole.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 39 THE CAMERA BODY operates in two modes: Show and SET. To show a parameter without adjusting, go directly to one of the four function buttons (1 through 4 in the diagram) to view relative information. To set a parameter, first press SET, then go to the appropriate button. Information is changed by either toggling that button or by rotating the jog, depending on the parameter. Pressing SET afterwards (or waiting for 7 seconds) will enter your selection.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:28 Page 40 If AatonCode has been initialized in the camera, press button Time to view timecode information. Toggling button Time will display hour/minute/second, then year/month/day, then the six-digit production ID, then the camera’s equipment #, in that order. 2.10.5 ASA Setting When using the internal lightmeter and/or AatonCode in the XTRprod, the ASA (ISO) setting must be adjusted to the exposure index of the film stock being used.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 41 THE CAMERA BODY toogling SYNC or via the jog wheel. 2.10.8 Camera Specific Speed To choose a specific speed press SET, then EX/VAR. Make your selection of any .001 incremented crystal speed between 3.000 and 75.000 fps via the jog. To set the camera to be driven from an external source (such as film/video synchronizer or external speed control), press SET, then EX/VAR twice. Et will be displayed, indicating that camera is set in external mode. 2.10.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 42 2.10.12 Footage Elapsed With the camera stopped, press button MAG to view the elapsed footage of the previous camera run. With the camera running, press MAG to view the elapsed footage of that particular take. The display will revert back to the default mode (speed and remaining footage) after 10 seconds. Changing Speeds while Running the Camera Any camera speed, wether preset or specific, can be changed when the camera is running.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 43 THE CAMERA BODY 35mm 4-Perf camera, working with the software version number 6.00. 2.11 LED INDICATORS The XTRprod utilizes LED indicators in three locations to convey information: in the viewfinder and on both left and right outsides of the camera body. 2.11.1 Position and Meaning of the Diodes • Two yellow diodes, placed on both right and left sides of the camera body indicate that the camera is either on Test or on Run mode.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 44 2.11.5 Low Speed Indicator ● Yellow diode is on. ● ❍ ● ❍ ● Red diode is blinking fast. The LCD control panel displays Lo Speed. 2.11.6 End-of-Film Warning Sequence The lightmeter display features pre-end-of-film and end-of-film warnings for the operator. Under normal operation, the lightmeter display will flash once for every foot or meter that is counted down.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 45 THE CAMERA BODY 2.12.1 Installing the Control Unit Both the VR42 and VR46 CCD control units can be easily attached onto the XTRprod in a few seconds without the need for adjustment. Remove the two allen screws located on the PBX immediately below the Lemo14 connector. Mate the Amph9 and Lemo14 connectors of the control unit to those connectors on the body and plug in the unit.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 46 2.12.3 Positioning the Beamsplitter The beamsplitter adjustment screw is located underneath a small, capped port on the battery side of the camera. To access the beamsplitter, unscrew and remove this silver cap. An allen head adjustment screw will be visible through the opening. With the shutter tool, gently rotate the adjustment screw approximately 30 turns in the desired direction to position or retract the beamsplitter.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 47 THE CAMERA BODY to one side, the angle of the beamsplitter must be adjusted. The beamsplitter axis adjustment is located to the above/right of the aperture and consists of an allen screw within a slot (see diagram on the following page). A red dot to the upper left of the slot indicates the position of the screw for Super16.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 48 In order to conserve battery life, get into the habit of shutting off the VR42 assist when not in use. The VR46, on the other hand, because of its color, frame-store and timecode capabilities, draws 730-750ma, which translates into approximately 2 to 2.5 hours of operation from one 12V 1.8 ah onboard battery. For this reason, it is recommended to use a battery block or AC power supply when using the VR46 for long periods of time. 2.12.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 49 THE CAMERA BODY need to remove the assembly frequently, this procedure can be demonsrated and taught to you by an Aaton technician. Contact your Aaton representative for further details. The VR42, however, is much more straightforward; the following is the procedure for its installation. • 1 - Unscrew the four allen screws as indicated in the diagram below and remove the PBX cover plate and rubber gasket.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 50 • 3 - Check that the exposed lens of the CCD head assembly is free of dust particles. If necessary, clean this surface with lens fluid applied with a foam or cotton Q-tip. In order to install the head assembly into the side cavity, first feed the Lemo14 connector into the PBX so that it faces towards the rear of the camera. With the iris rod facing up, install the head assembly into the tubular holder until the steel collar is stopped by the tube.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 51 THE CAMERA BODY • 7 - Plug the control unit into the PBX and fasten it to the body with three allen screws. Connect a BNC cable to a monitor and power the XTRprod. Turn on the toggle switch of the CCD assist; the yellow diode should light. You should also see an image of the viewing screen on the monitor. If this is not the case, the beamplitter may be retracted.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 52 You may use the VR46 color CCD assist in two different ways. In some special situations (if you're filming in the dark for example), it might be more comfortable to look your images on a monitor than through the viewfinder. This is why the VR46 is equipped with a frame generator: as you can choose the size and position of the generated frame, the image you see through the viewfinder (which might be in ratio 1.78 or 1.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 53 THE CAMERA BODY you need between 24 and 25 frames per second. Keep in mind that choosing 24 fps, provides a non standard video signal, that you won't be able to record. •NTSC In video Output, you can select between COLOR and B&W. • Color Temp Depending on the kind of film you're using (a film for insides or a film for outsides) the colors it will register will not be the sames.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 54 • Phase adjust (PAL only) This adjustment is available by pressing down on the “menu” button when turning VR46 on. Phase adjust is designed to move the flicker area outside the video image. This function is available only when the VR46 and the 35III are running at the same speed (both at 25 fps, for example). Use the up and down arrows for a first quick phase adjustment. And then, use the left and right arrows for a fine adjustment.
USER 16 US.sept 6/12/97 17:29 Page 55 THE CAMERA BODY when the video is set to 24 fps, the XTR Prod should run at 23.98 fps (this slight variation between these two speeds comes from some electronical imperious needs).
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