Aaton Cam Xter Users Guide

2.7 POWER
Xterà body requires only 12 volts for all aspects of  operation. One 
standard Aaton on-board (12V 3,5 Ah rechargeable Nimh) will 
power the camera, video and any accessories which are connected to 
the body’s accessory inputs (such as zoom controls, speed controls 
etc.) through a standard 4 pin XLR connector. Two 3,5 Ah on-
board batteries can be installed on the Xterà.
2.7.1 Installing the Battery on the Camera
In order to install, loosen the blue knurled screw approximately four 
or five...

two standard batteries in 5 hours, without any risk.
Beware of  older, timed chargers manufactured when 1.2 and 1.4ah 
batteries were the norm; these chargers were most likely rated for 
the lower amperage batteries of  that time and will consistently un-
dercharge the higher rated Nimh cells of  today.
2.7.3 Other Power Options
Since the Xterà power input is a standard 4pin XLR type, a great 
variety of  12-14 volt sources can be used to power the camera. This 
includes AC power supplies, battery...

specific speed selector enables the body to run at any speed between 
3 and 75 in .001 frame increments. A phase adjustment of  the vari-
able 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.
2.8.2 Using External Speed Devices
The Xterà can be driven externally from devices such as film/video...

and loop situating.
•From a Remote Cable
The Lemo2 connector, as well as Lemo6, Lemo8 and Amph9 ac-
cessory connectors, provide the capability of  using a remote on/off  
with either a half-frame or full-frame inching function.
2.9 LIGHTMETER
The Xterà 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. 
The metering system automatically compensates for filters...

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 ac-
cording 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. Set the ISO selection to the exposure index of  the film be-
ing used. Set the camera to test position using the on/off  switch on 
the body or the handgrip. If  the handgrip is used, the...

• 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. 
• 6 - With a small screwdriver, adjust the potentiometer slightly; 
1/8 of  a turn will have an effect. Rotating clockwise will correct 
an overexposure and move the darkened diode to the left; rotating...

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, de-
pending on the parameter. Pressing SET afterwards (or waiting for 7 
seconds) will enter your selection.
Capped text ( SYNC, EX/VAR, ISO, MAG) refers to those func-
tions adjustable while in the SET mode; standard text (Fps/Ft, time, 
batt/iso, elapse) refers to those functions accessible directly in the...

hour/minute/second, then year/month/day, then the six-digit pro-
duction ID, then the camera’s equipment #, in that order.
2.10.5 ASA Setting
When using the internal lightmeter and/or AatonCode in the Xterà, 
the ASA (ISO) setting must be adjusted to the exposure index of  
the film stock being used.  The ISO selector on the LCD control 
panel provides settings between 25 and 1000 ASA.
With regards to the lightmeter, the setting on the ISO selector dic-
tates to the camera what the exposure should be for...

   39
THE CAMERA BODY
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.
2.10.9 Speed Phasing
The phasing of  the variable speed can be set to eliminate a roll bar 
while filming a monitor....

40
MAG to view the elapsed footage of  that particular take. The dis-
play will revert back to the default mode (speed and remaining foot-
age) after 10 seconds. 
2.10.13 Mag ID
The Xterà will recall the footage according to the mag ID, which 
distinguishes seven magazines (A through G). To check the ID of  a 
particular mag, as read from the control panel, press button MAG 
twice; the letter ID on the display should coincide with the letter on 
the mag’s feed side door. For more information regarding...