Aaton Cam Xter Users Guide

							
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GENERAL OVERVIEW
1.2 BACK VIEW
11    Magnetic Drive   provides magnetic magazine coupling.
12    Mag Release Lever   releases the magazine for removal.
13    Amph9     accessory input provides +/-, Hz, and camera run functions.
14    Manual Iris Lever   controls CCD iris operation.
15    Lemo14     connects CCD head to the CCD control unit.
16    Battery Lock Screw   fastens the on-board battery to the camera body.
17    Camera Fuse   protects the body from excessive current and reverse polarity.
18    XLR4     main power input for on-board battery 
19    Lemo8     accessory input provides +/-, Hz, TVsync, and camera run
20    Lemo6     accessory input provides +/- and camera run functions.
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1.3 BATTERY SIDE
21    VHR Control Unit   fastens to the body for video operation.
22    VHR On/Off   powers the VHR assist (see VHR user's guide). 
23    Carrying handle   includes 3/8-16 accessory hole and adjusting tools.
24    Viewfinder Locking Ring locks left/right orientation
25    Run/Test Switch   provides camera run and full frame inching from the handgrip.
26    Take-up Latch   locks the magazine take-up door.
27    On-board Batteries    2 x 12V NiMh for handheld operation.
28    LED Indicators   LED side indicators for camera run, camera test and low battery.
29    Lemo2     input provides camera run functions.
30    Adjusting Screw   adjusts the rotation of the handgrip.
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GENERAL OVERVIEW
1.4 MOTOR SIDE 
31    LCD Control Panel  displays AatonCode, ASA, speed, voltage, remaining footage.
32   Diopter Set Ring   adjusts the diopter setting to the operator's eye.
33    Lemo5     AatonCode and SMPTE timecode communication.
34    Lightmeter On/Off   activates the lightmeter display in the viewfinder.
35    On/Off Rotating Switch for Run/Stop/Test fonctions. Includes LED Indicators motor side   
          indicators for camera run, camera test and low battery.
36    Motor     triphase salarium, low power consumption. 3-75 fps operation.
37    Aaton Jog    provides quick adjustment of Aatonite, ASA, speed, phasing, footage.
38    AatonCode Led   flashes each second if the timecode has been initialized in the camera.
39    Feed Latch   locks the magazine feed door.
40    Mag Footage Counter displays the footage remaining in the magazine feed side.
41   Eyepiece Friction Ring  allows friction adjustments for short / Long eyepiece.
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1.5  LCD CONTROL PANEL - QUICK REFERENCE
IN SHOW MODE
24’  -  080    Camera speed and Remaining footage  (default mode)
ISO  = 100    Film ASA   (1 x Batt/Iso)
Batt = 10’4    Battery voltage (2 x Batt/Iso)
Ela = 042     Elapsed footage during last take   (2 x Speed)
22=32=54    Hours=minutes=seconds in AatonCode   (1 x Time)
95-03-25      Year-Month-Day in AatonCode  (2 x Time)
123456      Production ID in AatonCode   (3 x Time)
2321      Equipment number in AatonCode  (4 x Time)
IN SET MODE
 
Sp =2 4’      Adjusting a preset speed  (SET, 1 x SYNC, toggle SYNC or use Jog)
Sp = 27’454    Adjusting a specific speed  (SET, 1 x VAR, use Jog)
Et      Speed controled by external speed device  (SET, 2 x VAR)
Phase      Phase Adjusting  (Camera running,SET, 2 x VAR, use Jog)
ISO = 100    ASA Setting   (SET, 1 x ISO, toggle ISO or use Jog)
MAG = 400    Indicating that the new magazine is fully loaded  (SET, 2 x MAG)
MAG = 140    Indicating the new magazine's footage  (SET, 1 x MAG, use Jog)
   
WARNINGS
 
Lo Spd      Camera has not yet reached the selected speed
Lo Batt      Battery is too low (below 10V)
Empty      No more film in the magazine
Unadjust      Please check page 39
No Code      Blinking "No Code" means no timecode in the camera (press one button to  
      remove this message). 
						

							
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GENERAL OVERVIEW 
						

							
THE CAMERA BODY
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2.1 LENSES 
The Xterà's flexible lens mounting system allows for the use of  a 
wide variety of  16mm, 35mm and still-photographic lenses. 
2.1.1 ArriPL Lens Port
The ArriPL lens port is the standard mounting system delivered 
with the Xterà and allows the use of  all 16 and 35mm ArriPL 
mounted motion picture lenses. PL lens adaptors are available for 
Arri standard and Arri bayonet mounted lenses. This mount is ideal 
for rental facilities, where a mounting system compatible with other 
manufacturer’s 16 and 35mm cameras is often desired. The specific 
flange focal distance (FFD) of  the Xterà with PL port is 52mm -8 
to -17µm. 
2.1.2 Installing the Lens
To install the lens on the camera body, turn the outer locking ring 
counter-clockwise until it reaches its stop. If  the port cap is on, 
remove it. Align the four protruding flanges on the lens with the 
four corresponding cutaways in the locking ring and insert the lens 
into the camera port so that its flanges rest evenly against the lens 
seat. Tighten the locking ring by turning clockwise until the lens is 
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Flange focal distanceRefers to the critical distance from the lens seat to the film plane. The precise FFD of the Xterà is 52mm -8 to -17µm as measured with a depth gauge in the lens port. It is recom-mended that these tolerances be checked and maintained by a qualified technician. The combination of FFD and back focus distance of a lens directly affects precise focus and overall image sharpness. Make sure these critical measurements are strictly upheld. When using an unfamiliar lens for the first time, check that the eye focus matches the tape-measured focus marks of the lens, and / or shoot a focus test. 
						

							
secured in place and the lock ring is firmly set. Make sure the lock 
ring is tight enough so that it cannot be inadvertantly unlocked.
2.1.3 Aaton Lens Port
The Xterà 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 pro-
fessional cameras (40mm), the Xterà, equipped with this mount, can 
accommodate most motion picture and still camera lens mounts. 
Lenses can be used equipped with an Aaton mount or by adapting 
another manufacturer’s lens mount. Aaton lens adaptors are avail-
able for Arri standard, Arri bayonet, as well as Nikon and Leica-R 
photographic mounts.
 
2.2 VIEWING SYSTEM
2.1 Viewfinder Options
The viewfinder is designed to be fully orientable, providing left or 
right side viewing and an upright image in any position. 
The viewfinder is equipped with a standard short eyepiece that can 
be used for handheld and tripod-mounted operation. For more 
comfortable tripod and studio applications, the standard extension 
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THE CAMERA BODY
The Pechan prism In order to provide a fully orientable upright image, the Aaton viewfinder incorporates a pechan prism assembly, which is actually comprised of two triangular prisms sand-wiched together. On some viewfinders, depending on the construction of this prism, rotation of the eyepiece a full 360° will cause the image in the finder to shift slightly left or right.After attaching an extension finder, if the image in the finder appears to have shifted slightly, rotate the finder 360° and choose the preferred cen-tered image. 
						

							
finder can be fitted in place of  the short eyepiece. With an Elemak 
or Mitchell type dolly, or in situations requiring additional reach, the 
hyperlong finder can be used.
Note that standard short eyepiece can be equipped with a heating 
system, as well as 250mm eyepiece extension in order to avoid any 
condensation on the eyepiece lens. Aaton can provide you a heating 
lens (neutral, + 3 or - 3 diopters) and the corresponding cable.
2.2.2 Attaching the Extension Finder
In order to use an extension finder on the Xterà, the standard eye-
piece must first be removed. To remove the eyepiece, locate the 
eyepiece lock ring, marked A in the photo below. Rotate counter-
clockwise and gently pull off  the eyepiece. To install the extension 
finder, locate the protruding guide pin on the seat of  the viewfinder 
and align the pin with the hole in the flange of  the finder. Mate the 
flange to the seat of  the viewfinder and tighten the lock ring until it 
is set firmly in place. During this procedure, you will notice that the 
extension finder needs to face 180° away from the operator’s eye to 
be installed onto the viewfinder. Because of  its optical construction, 
this is completely normal. After installation, rotate the finder 180° 
to regular viewing position.
2.2.3 Viewfinder Tension Adjustments
The large knurled knob at the base of  the left/right lateral move-
ment point (b) locks the lateral positioning.
The friction adjusting ring, located behind the eyepiece lock ring, 
can be used to adjust the tension of  the eyepiece swivel, depending 
on the operator’s preference and the viewfinder being used. When 
using the standard eyepiece, tension should be relatively light to 
allow for movement with a moderate amount of  pressure. When 
using the standard extension finder, tension should be increased to 
hold the additional weight of  this finder in place.
To adjust the tension of  the swivel, loosen the friction adjusting ring 
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