Aaton Cam Xter Users Guide

							
(c). Hold the eyepiece in place, rotate the adjusting ring slightly. 
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 ad-
justed to the operator’s eye. To set the diopter (d) look through the 
viewfinder, rotate the diopter set ring until the edge of  the cross-
hair is at its sharpest point. It is recommended that, for easiest set-
ting, this adjustment be performed with the port cover off  and no 
lens on the camera.
Notice that the diopter set ring is engraved with numbers and dots - 
use this reference to quickly recall your particular setting when more 
than one person will be looking through the view-finder.
The range of  the diopter setting is + or - 3. If  the range does not 
reach your particular diopter setting, the viewfinder optics can 
quickly be adjusted by a qualified technician and the diopter range 
reset to meet your needs. 
2.2.5 The Eyepiece Shutter
In order to avoid unwanted light seepage through the viewfinder, 
the eyepiece shutter must be closed any time the camera is running 
film and the operator’s eye is away from the viewfinder.
   21
THE CAMERA BODY
dc
b
a 
						

							
To close the eyepiece shutter on the standard bellows eyepiece and 
250mm extension, grasp the ring at the base of  the eyecup and ro-
tate 1/8 of  a turn counterclockwise.On the hyperlong finder, rotate 
the knurled ring closest to the eyecup counter-clockwise to close the 
shutter.
2.2.6 Adjusting the Viewing Horizon
If  the rotation of  the image seen through the cameras viewfinder 
does not exactly match what is seen through the naked eye, there is 
a fine adjustment that can be made to the image’s relative horizon. 
 Locate the small slotted screw located on the underside of  the 
viewfinder just inside the eyepiece lock ring. Notice that the screw 
travels in an elongated cutout. Loosen the screw one turn and, while 
looking through the viewfinder, move the screw within its cutout 
in order to adjust the horizontal rotation. When the images seen 
through your left and right eyes coincide, lock the screw.
2.2.7 Viewing Screen
The unique concave design of  the Aaton fiber optic viewing screen 
gives it its superior sharpness and lucid quality. If  your viewing 
screen possesses a dark blemish or two, don’t be alarmed; these 
spots are actually fractured fibers and are inherent in the manufac-
turing of  fiber screens. Such blemishes, although occasional, are the 
trade-off  for the brilliant screens which result from the use of  this 
technology.
The Xterà utilizes an interchangeable viewing screen system which 
allows the cinematographer to install the screen which best suits 
his particular application(s). Aaton offers ten viewing screens as 
standard. (see the Technical Specifications chapter) Specially marked 
screens can also be manufactured to order. Contact you local Aaton 
representative for details.
Unlike the XTRplus, which uses a universal screen that shifts be-
tween std 16 and Super16 operation, the Xterà requires separate 
screens for std 16 and Super16 formats.
22
Checking your Viewing Horizonhere is a simple means of determining whether adjust-ment of the horizon needs to be made. Mount a zoom lens onto the camera and rest the camera on your shoulder in a standard handheld position. Look through the viewfinder with your right eye while also keeping your left eye open. Compose a frame that includes vertical or horizontal lines (a window frame, for example) and adjust the zoom of the lens so that the focal length of the lens generally matches what you see with your left eye. Ignore the viewing screen markings for the time being and determine whether the rotation of the image you see through the viewfinder match-es what you see with your left eye. If it does not, then a fine adjustment may be necessary 
						

							
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. Clear 
the mirror shutter so that it is rotated safely inside the body by ro-
tating at the base of  the shutter with your finger or by setting the 
camera to test position, then removing the battery. Look into the 
port and locate the threaded hole directly above the aperture open-
ing and screw in the tool until it is snug. Carefully pull the screen 
straight out.
To reinstall the screen, screw the Vw tool into the threaded hole 
of  the screen until it is snug. Look into the port and locate the left 
and right lip of  the viewing screen holder. With its flat side facing 
down, gently push the screen straight into the holder above the lip 
until it seats firmly in place. Unscrew the Vw tool and store back in 
the hollow of  the carrying handle. Reaffirm that the screen is seated 
properly by carefully pressing against the threaded hole with your 
thumb.
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THE CAMERA BODY 
						

							
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. This can be best determined with 
the use of  a collimator, or by looking through the viewfinder and 
checking that the sharp focus of  a lens matches the measured dis-
tance on its barrel. If  it does not, then you need to make an adjust-
ment of  the viewing screen focus.
To proceed, you must first unscrew and remove the circular cap lo-
cated on behind the camera body Run/Test switch.Inside the access 
hole, inser a 2mm Allen wrench and screw or unscrew it. Replace 
the circular cap. Use a collimator to check that you have reached the 
sharpest focus of  the viewing screen image. If  the image is not yet 
sharp ennough, proceed again.
2.2.10 Aatonite Illumination
The Xterà features illuminated viewing screen markings referred 
to as Aatonite. The level of  illumination is adjustable by the user 
via the Jog wheel, which is located to the right of  the motor. To 
24
Warning !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. 
						

							
operate Aatonite, power the body and switch the run/test switch to 
test position and off  again to turn on the camera electronics. Look 
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 be-
tween screen types. Refer to the screen illustration on page 21 for a 
specific description of  each screen type along with its correspond-
ing Aatonite markings. 
2.3 MIRROR SHUTTER
2.3.1 Concept
The reflex mirror shutter is designed to provide an optical path to 
the viewfinder while the claw movement advances the film to the 
next frame. 
The shutter features a four-position user-adjustable opening:
• Standard 180° for filming 
  under standard 60 Hz HMI lighting at 24 fps _or_
  under standard 50 Hz HMI lighting at 25 fps without  
flicker • 172.8° for filming 
  at 24 fps under 50 Hz HMI lighting without flicker. 
• 150° for filming 
  at 25 fps under 60 Hz HMI lighting without flicker. 
• 144° for filming 
  to minimize the roll bar while filming an NTSC broadcast  
    monitor at 24 fps.
2.3.2 Adjusting the Shutter 
To adjust the shutter opening, unscrew the blue shutter tool marked 
Sh located in the hollow at the rear of  the camera’s carrying handle. 
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THE CAMERA BODY 
						

							
Make certain that the battery is off  the camera and remove the port 
cap. Locate the tool guiding hole to the lower right of  the inside of  
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 re-
duce the shutter opening, turning clockwise will increase the open-
ing.
When setting the opening to 172.8° or 144°, a shutter blade indi-
cating these settings will be visible from behind the left edge of  
the mirror. Make sure the white line to the immediate right of  the 
172.8° and 144° markings meet the left edge of  mirror. When the 
adjustment is complete, remove the tool and store back in the hol-
low of  the carrying handle.
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Sh
Sh 
						

							
2.4 FILM GATE AND PULLDOWN CLAW
2.4.1 Co-planar Movement
All Aaton cameras incorporate a patented means of  advancing the 
film called a co-planar claw movement. By utilizing this technique, 
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.
This unique, straight forward mechanism design results in horizontal 
and lateral film registration that is superior to all other 16mm cam-
era movements with an accuracy of  1/2000 of  the image dimen-
sions.
4.2 The Hair-Free Gate
In most 16mm camera designs, there is a certain amount of  film 
dust (also referred to as fluff  or hair) that is generated as film rolls 
through the magazine and enters the camera gate. Because the gate 
and pulldown are the areas where the film must be held most rigidly, 
these are also the areas where most of  the accumulating film dust 
tends to be deposited. The result could be a visible hair in the pic-
ture area and an unuseable shot.
Aaton has taken steps in the design of  their magazines and gate as-
sembly to ensure hair and dust-free images. The Aaton magazine 
features a twistless film path with little sprocket contact, which 
minimizes the amount of  film dust that builds up before entry into 
the aperture area.
4.3 Cleaning the Gate
In order to avoid film dust buildup in the recessed channels of  the 
gate, the gate should be inspected during magazine changes and 
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THE CAMERA BODY 
						

							
28
cleaned every three to four mags if  the shooting schedule permits. 
Refer to the Cleaning chapter for more detailed information.
2.5 FLANGE FOCAL DISTANCE ADJUSTMENT
2.5.1 Concept
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 re-
sponsible 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. He has not to polish any other surface, ot to insert anything 
else between the lens port and the film plane. For that purpose, you 
can order some aluminium spacers (0.35mm) to Aaton, and then 
safely change the FFD of  your camera.
2.5.2 Polishing a Spacer
In order to fine-adjust the thickness of  a specific spacer, Aaton 
carries a specific tool (ref  09 202 92) designed to hold the spacer 
firmly and evenly against Emery paper. When polishing a spacer, 
always work on a perfectly flat worktable or stone, and be sure to 
hold the tool firmly.
2.5.3 Changing the Spacer
The spacer is placed between the lens port and the camera body’s 
titanium lens holder. If  you’re camera is equipped with a PL lens 
port, you first need to remove the lens locking ring: screw two or 
three turns its stop (placed on the bottom, inside the PL port), and 
turn the ring counterclockwise. 
Remove the lens port by unscrewing its screws. Then remove the 
aluminium spacer gently.
Once you have placed a new spacer, replace the lens port, then the  
						

							
lenses locking ring. Do not forget to unscrew two or three turns the 
locking ring stop, if  you have a PL lens port.
2.5.4 Adjusting the Viewing Screen
Because you have changed the distance separating the base of  the 
lens and the camera body, the image on your viewing screen might 
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 2.2.9 
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 Xterà.
2.6 THE MAGAZINE 
The Aaton magazine holds 400 ft (122m) of  standard 16mm or 
Super16 film. Shooting at 24 fps, a 400 ft roll will run for 10.5 
minutes; shooting 30 fps, the same roll will run for approximately 
9 minutes. The coaxial design of  the magazine allows for complete 
self-contained threading, quick mag changes and a minimal amount 
of  loading to be performed in the changing bag. Loading the maga-
zine is a simple operation that, with practice can be performed in a 
little over a minute. Refer to the Magazine chapter of  this manual 
for complete details on loading and caring for magazines.
2.6.1 Installing the Magazine
The instant mag design allows for instantaneous switching between 
mags on the set. To install the magazine on the camera, situate 
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THE CAMERA BODY
Mont    Reference   FFD    Diametre    Adjustment
Aaton (AA)  01 112 35  40.00 mm  50.00 mm  -8 / -17 microns
Arriflex (PL)  01 113 20  52.00 mm  54.00 mm  -8 / -17 microns
Panavision (PV)  01 113 25  57.15 mm  49.50 mm  -8 / -17 microns 
						

							
30
yourself  towards the rear motor side of  the camera body. If  the 
aperture cover plate is on, remove it. Place your left hand around 
the front of  the camera just underneath the lens area. Grasp the 
magazine firmly with your right hand below the midway point of  its 
rear. While holding the camera body with your left hand, guide the 
magazine along the base of  the camera into the aperture area. Make 
sure that the top edge of  the throat of  the magazine is parallel to 
the 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.
2.6.2 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. Pull the magazine straight off  the camera 
with your right hand.