Aaton Cam 35III Users Guide

							body. When snug, tighten the knurled screw onto the battery tab to
hold it in place.
When running AatonCode, get into the practice of having a fresh
battery on hand before removing the one from the camera. Even a
low battery that no longer runs the body (below 10V) will have
enough voltage to keep accurate time counting.
Thanks to a super capacitor built into the camera base you will have
a full minute to change the battery before time is lost. After repla-
cing the battery, confirm that time is still counting by checking the
control panel.
2.7.2 Battery Charging
The Aaton on-board can be recharged with an appropriate 12V
nicad battery charger.
For the best results, use a microprocessor-controlled charger or a
standard trickle charger with a charging output of at least 200ma,
both of which prevent of the overheating and mistreatment of your
nicad cells. Always follow the specific guidelines of the charger
manufacturer. You can use the Aaton Chr1, designed to charge two
standard batteries in 6 hours, without any risk.
Beware of older, timed chargers manufactured when 1.2 and 1.4ah
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							batteries where the norm; these chargers where most likely rated for
the lower amperage batteries of that time and will consistently
undercharge the higher rated nicad cells of today.
2.7.3 Other Power Options
Since the AATON 35-III power input is a standard 4 pin XLR type,
a great varitey of 12-14 volt sources can be used to power the came-
ra. This includes AC power supplies, battery blocks, lithium cells
and car batteries.
Get into the habit of carrying a standard XLR4 powercable in your
package in case an alternative power source is needed.
Regarding AC power supplies, it is recommended that the unit you
use be at least 5 A and 25 W. Before connecting any non-standard
source, always make sure that the pin configuration of the unit is
correct. See the Technical Specifications chapter of this manual for
details for proper wiring.
2.8 MOTOR
The tri-phase samarium design of the AATON 35-III provides low
power consumption and improved stability at high speeds. The
body is capable of speeds between 3 and 40 fps with a standard
12V battery.
2.8.1 Camera Speeds
The AATON 35-III provides boths preset crystal speeds (in sync
mode) and specific crystal speeds (in variable mode) in .001 incre-
ments, all accessible from the LCD control panel.
Available preset speeds consist of 6, 12, 18, 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97
and 30. The preset speed selector (SYNC) allows for quick access to
these frequently used speeds.
If any other speed is desired, or if the camera speed must match the
frequency of a monitor to eliminate a roll bar, the specific speed
selector (VAR) should be employed. The specific speed selector
Nicad Battery Tips
Follow a few simple rules to
insure the long life of your
nicad cells:
¥ Allow the battery to run
through their normal cycle of
charging and use. Avoid top-
ping off partially full batteries.
Once every few months,
discharge cells to 8-10V using
a standard discharger to mini-
mize their memory.
¥ Do not rapid-charge your
cells more than necessary, as
the added heat will eventually
shorten their life span. Instead
recharge batteries at a normal
charging rate when your sche-
dule allows.
¥ If your batteries will not be
used for long periods of time,
always store them in a cool dry
environment fully charged.
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							enables the body to run at any speed between 3 and 40 in .001 fra-
me increments. A phase adjustment of the variable speed is acces-
sible from the VAR selector and jog wheel.
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.
2.8.2 Using External Speed Devices
The AATON 35-III can be driven externally from devices such as
film/video synchronizers, speed aperture computers and external
speed controls. In these situations, the camera VAR selector must be
set to Et. If such a device is connected and the selector is not set to
Et, the camera will run at the speed indicated on the display.
Keep in mind that, with certain manufacturerÕs speed controls, it
may be possible to run the camera at speeds higher than the 40 fps
factory limitation. Overcranking in such a way, however, will increa-
se mechanism wear, increase noise and compromise image registra-
tion. Aaton urges to avoid such usage at all cost and will not be res-
ponsible for the resulting damage that will occur. This top speed cap
of 40 fps has been designated by Aaton because it is the limit at
which the camera can run safely without any adverse effects on its
mechanics.
2.8.3 Electronic Inching
The inching function of the motor is accomplished electronically
and can be accessed in a number of ways.
From the Handgrip
The wooden handgrip switch, by way of the lemo2 connector, pro-
vides camera run and full frame inching for single frame operation
and loop situating.
From the LCD Control Panel
The run/test switch, besides the LCD control panel, not only runs
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							the camera, but provides half frame inching for gate inspection and
loop situating when installing a fresh mag.
From a Remote Cable
The Lemo2 connector, as well as Lemo6, Lemo8 and Amph9 acces-
sory connectors, provide the capability of using a remote on/off with
either a half-frame or full-frame inching function.
2.8.4 Single Frame Operation
With the use of electronic inching switch via the wooden handgrip
or a remote cable, the AATON 35-III can be used as a simple inter-
valometer for single frame operation. Each frame is 1/4 sec exposu-
re.
2.9 LCD CONTROL PANEL AND JOG
The AATON 35-III utilizes a straightforward and intuitive control
panel structure in conjunction with a small jog wheel to access and
adjust all operator functions.
2.9.1 The Aaton Jog
Located to the immediate right of the LCD control panel, Aaton
Jog is a small wheel designed to simplify many user functions. When
used in conjunction with the contol panel the jog allows for quick
adjustment of some of the otherwise time-consuming parameters
(such as the setting of a precise 5-digit speed or a film short end).
2.9.2 Understanding the Control Panel
The control panel consists of a LCD display and four buttons to
access information. The control panel operates in two modes: Show
and SET. To show a parameter without adjusting, go directly to one
of the black function buttons to view relative information. To set a
parameter, first press the white SET button, then go to the appro-
piate function. Information is changed by either toggling that but-
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							ton ot by rotating the jog, depending on the parameter. Pressing
SET afterwards (or waiting for 7 seconds) will enter your selection.
Capped text (SYNC, VAR, ISO) refers to those functions adjustable
while in the SET mode; standard text (Speed, Time, Iso/Batt) refers
to those functions accessible directly in the default Show mode.
Note that, while viewing a Show function on the control panel, any
inactivity longer than 10 seconds will revert the display back to its
default mode (speed and remaining footage). As mentioned pre-
viously, any break longer than 7 seconds while in SET mode will
automatically enter the last selection.
The following parameters can be accessed from the LCD control
panel in conjunction with the jog. For more concise information see
the table in the System Features and Controls chapter of this
manual.
2.9.3 AatonCode
As a standard feature the AATON 35-III is equipped with the capa-
bility of recording AatonCode in-camera time. TimeCode informa-
tion is exposed onto the film by optical projection of seven micro-
diodes into the gate to the left of the aperture opening. These
micro-diodes flash rapidly to form the code as the film rolls through
the gate between exposures. 
AatonCode is initialized in the camera, in ASCII or SMPTE form,
through the Lemo5 connector located to the righ of the LCD
control panel. For the most straightforward and reliable communi-
cation, OriginCplus, AatonÕs masterclock, comparator, and SMPTE
generator device, should be used.
If AatonCode has been initialized in the camera, press button Time
to view timecode information. Toggling button Time will display
hours/minutes/seconds, then year/month/day, then the six-digit pro-
duction ID, then the cameraÕs equipment #, in that order.
2.9.4 ASA Setting
When using AatonCode in the AATON 35-III, the ASA(ISO) set-
ting must be adjusted to the exposure index of the film stock being
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							used. The ASA/ISO selection will insure that the timecode matrix
recorded on the edge of the film in the gate will be exposed at an
appropriate and useable level.
If AatonCode is not running in the camera, the setting of the
ASA/ISO will have no effect.
Press button Iso/Batt twice to view the ASA selection.
Press SET then button ISO, to adjust the ASA setting. Make your
selection between 25 and 1000 ISO by toggling ISO or by rotating
the jog wheel.
If the ISO selector is adjusted while the camera is in test or run
position, the correction will not take place until the next camera
start.
2.9.5 Battery Voltage
Press button Iso/Batt to read the voltage of the cameraÕs power sour-
ce. Notice that if the camera is running and button Iso/Batt is pres-
sed, the control panel will read and display the voltage under load.
2.9.6 Magazine Number
As soon as a magazine is installed in the camera, you can read is
number ID by pressing Iso/Batt three times.
2.9.7 Camera Preset Speed
The default mode of the control panel will automatically display the
camera speed selection, whether it be in sync or variable mode,
when the camera is powered but not running. When the camera is
turned on, the actual running speed to the .01 frame is displayed.
To adjust the preset speed, press SET, then button SYNC. Make
your selection of stepped crystal speed between 6 and 30 fps by
togling SYNC or via the jog wheel.
2.9.8 Camera Specific Speed
To choose a specific speed press SET, then VAR. Make your selec-
tion of any .001 incremented crystal speed between 3.000 and
40.000 fps via the jog.
Force Processing and the 
AatonCode matrix
Regardless of the situation,
always set the ASA selector to
the actual exposure index of
the film. If you know before-
hand that your footage will be
pushed or pulled, dont worry
about compensating for the
sake of the precise exposure of
your timecode matrix. The
matrix is resistant enough to
handle exposure variances of
one and a half stops or more in
either direction.
36
Changing Speeds while 
Running the Camera
Any camera speed, whether
preset or specific, can be chan-
ged when the camera is run-
ning. To do so, run the camera,
then follow these simple steps:
¥Operating under a preset
speed (in sync mode), press
SET, then SYNC, then use the
jog wheel to choose a higher or
lower stepped speed.
Under a specific speed (in
variable speed), press SET, then
VAR, then use the jog to ramp
the speed higher or lower in
.001 frame increments.
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							To set the camera to be driven from an external source (such as
film/video synchronizer or external speed control), press SET, then
VAR twice. Et will be displayed, indicating that camera is set in
external mode.
2.9.9 Speed Phasing
The phasing of the variable speed can be set to eliminate a roll bar
while filming a monitor. Operate first with no magazine on the
camera, because you first need to synchronise the camera speed to
the monitor frequency. Run the camera. Press SET, then VAR once,
turn the jog, until the roll bar seems stable on the screen. Press SET
to enter. Stop the camera, and then install  a magazine. Run the
camera. Press SET, then VAR twice. Look through the camera at the
monitor and turn the jog until the roll bar is out of view. Press SET
to enter.
2.9.10 Remaining Footage
The control panel will display the footage remaining any time the
camera is running with a magazine on. The displayed footage is cal-
culated by the magazine itself: it is determined by the measure of the
feed core speed. To modify the footage measurement unit, press
ISO, then TEST and then ISO again to modify.
2.9.11 Elapsed Footage 
With the camera stopped, press Speed twice,  to view the elapsed
footage of the previous camera run. With the camera running press
Speed twice to view the elapsed footage of that particular take. The
display will revert back to its default mode (speed and remaining
footage) after 10 seconds.
2.9.12 Camera Software Version Number
If you need to know the software version number your camera is
equipped with, proceed as follows. Unplug the battery from the
camera. Put the camera on Test mode. Then, while installing the
battery, watch the LCD control panel carefully. During one second
it will display something like: T4 V2.08, indicating that you own a
Displaying a 5 Digit Speed
If the AATON 35-III is set to a
variable (5-digit) speed, the
control panel will only display
that speed to the .01 digit.
Keep in mind, the display will
not round off the speed, but
simply leave off the last digit.
For example, if the 5 digit
speed of 23.976 is entered, the
control panel will display
23.97, not 23.98.
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RememberÉ Variable
Speed for Phasing
Keep in mind, the  speed phase
function of the control panel
will only operate when a
variable speed is initially selec-
ted.
When shooting 29.97, for
example, be sure to choose the
specific 29.970 instead of the
preset 29.97 if you plan to
incorporate the phase function
for that particular shot.
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							35mm 4-Perf camera, working with the software version number
2.08.
2.9.13 Total Footage Recall
To find out total footage run through the camera since manufacture
install, hook up a battery onto the camera body, press SYNC and
flip the switch to TEST. The footage displays in thousands of
images.
2.9.14 Warning
If for some reason the camera loses its programming parameters,
ÒUNADJUSTÓ will flash regularly. leaving the camera functionning.
The TCXO then uses default frequency adjustment, insuring  a
TimeCoding precision of 10
-4instead of 10-6.
2.10 LED INDICATORS
The AATON 35-III utilizes LED indicators in three locations to convey
information: in the viewfinder and on both left and right sides of the
camera body.
2.10.1 Position and Meaning of the Diodes
¥Two yellow diodes, placed on both right and left sides of the came-
ra body indicate that the camera is either on Test or on Run mode.
¥Two red diodes, placed on both right and left side of the camera
body, and a third one, visible from the view finder, display a special
warning.
2.10.2 Camera Test Indicator
lYellow diode is on.
lllRed diode is blinking fast.
2.10.3 Camera Run Indicator
lYellow diode is on.
mRed diode is off.
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							2.10.4 Low Battery Indicator
lYellow diode is on.
lllRed diode is evenly flashing.
The LCD control panel displays Lo Batt.
2.10.5 Low Speed Indicator
lYellow diode is on.
ll lRed diode is blinking fast.
The LCD control panel displays Lo Speed.
2.11 VIDEO ASSIST
The AATON 35-III accept 4 different video assist: CD52 PAL, CD52
NTSC, CD56 PAl and CD56 NTSC. The CD52 are black & white,
and the CD56 are color.
The control units for all Aaton CCD assists attach quickly to the came-
raÕs housing and can be used with an on-board battery. The video assist
may be used to help the director or operator control their images, or to
prepare the video editing, before the telecine stage. 
The following chapter is mostly dedicated to the CD56, which is AatonÕs
high-end model, and is designed to offer high quality, flicker-free color
video assist imaging, burn-in windows, Vitc insertion and a frame line
generator in one integrated system.
2.11.1 The CD56 Color CCD Assist
You may use the CD56 color CCD assist in two different ways.
In some special situations (if youÕre 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 CD56 is equipped
with a frame line 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 1.66 for example) can match exact-
ly the image you see inside the frame on the monitor. Moreover this
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							frame is easier to locate than the viewing screenÕs frame. The director
can then immediatly control his operatorÕs images. 
Of course, the video assist was first created to be used in such a way.
But, now that video editing (including the virtual video editing)
offers new powerfull tools to the editor, the CD56 can be used in a
different way. The CD56 provides a Vitc lines generator, which are
the dots and lines, usually put above the video image, used by video
editing machines. Therefore, images recorded by the video assist
may be directly used to make a video editing of the film; no need to
wait for telecine, no need also to have developped the rushes you
wonÕt use. 
2.11.2 Installing the Control Unit
All of the CCD assists available for the AATON 35-III can be easily
attached on the camera body, in a few seconds without the need for
adjustment.
First locate the video port, above the Lemo 6 connector on the
motor side of the camera. Using a Allen wrench, loosen 3 or 4 turns
its small black screw. Remove the plastic port cover. Check that the
exposed lens of the CCD video assist is free of dust particles. If
Beware of the high power
consumption of the video
assist
The CD56, as well as the
CD52, is equipped with an
On/Off switch. As soon as you
have finsihed with using the
video assist, witch it to off.
Keep in mind that a CD56
needs up to 700 mA to run.
40
Vitc lines
¥First line is the video timeco-
de line. Each time you switch
on the video assist, the video
timecode is set to 1:0000 00
(the last number is the image
number). Then as soon as the
AATON 35-III is running this
time is incremented.
¥Second line is the keycode
line. As the keycode should be
read from the film, this line
cannot be generated. Only syn-
chonization and checksum bits
are inserted.
¥Third line is the audio time-
code line, i.e. all the timecode
information of the AatonCode
is inserted here.
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