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 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.
When running AatonCode, get into the practice of  having a fresh 
battery on hand before removing 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 replac-
ing the battery, confirm that time is still counting by looking for 
the yellow blinking diode to the right of  the motor or checking the 
control panel.
2.7.2 Battery Charging
The Aaton on-board can be recharged with an appropriate 12V 
Nimh 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 the overheating and mistreatment of  your 
Nimh cells. Always follow the specific guidelines of  the charger 
manufacturer. You can use the Aaton ChA-3, designed to charge 
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THE CAMERA BODY 
						

							
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 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 4 amps and 25 watts. 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 motor design of  the Xterà provides low 
power consumption and improved stability at high speeds. The body 
is capable of  speeds between 3 and 75 fps with a standard 12V bat-
tery.
2.8.1 Camera Speeds
The Xterà provides boths preset crystal speeds (in sync mode) and 
specific crystal speeds (in variable mode) in .001 increments, all ac-
cessible from the LCD control panel. Available preset speeds consist 
of  6, 12, 18, 20, 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 36, 40, 48, 60 and 75 fps. 
The preset speed selector (SYNC) allows for quick access to these 
frequently used speeds. If  any other speed is desired, or if  the cam-
era speed must match the frequency of  a monitor to eliminate a roll 
bar, the specific speed selector (EX/VAR) should be employed. The 
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Nimh Batteries TipsFollow a few simple rules to insure the long life of your Nimh cells:• Allow batteries to run through their normal cycle of charging and use.  Avoid topping off partially full batter-ies.  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 eventu-ally shorten their life span.  Instead, recharge batteries at a normal charging rate when your schedule allows.• If your batteries will not be used for long periods of time, always store them in a cool, dry environment fully charged. 
						

							
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 
synchronizers, speed aperture computers and external speed con-
trols. In these situations, the camera EX/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 manufacturer’s speed controls, it 
may be possible to run the camera at speeds higher than the 75 
fps factory limitation. Overcranking in such a way, however, will 
increase mechanism wear, increase noise and compromise image 
registration. Aaton urges to avoid such usage at all cost and will not 
be responsible for the resulting damage that may occur. This top 
speed cap of  75 fps has been designated by Aaton because it is the 
level 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 Body
The large run/test switch on the motor side of  the body, not only 
runs the camera, but provides half  frame inching for gate inspec-
tion, lightmeter functions and loop situating when installing a fresh 
mag.
•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 
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THE CAMERA BODY 
						

							
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 and 
changes in camera speed.
2.9.1 Display
Through the viewfinder, the lightmeter display is positioned di-
rectly below the viewing screen across the bottom of  the frame. 
A single darkened diode moves across an array of  13 yellow and 
green diodes, indicating proper exposure (see diagrams). Each diode 
represents one third of  a stop, while normal exposure darkens the 
center green diode. Underexposure of  -2 stops or more darkens the 
green diode on the left end of  the row; overexposure of  +2 stops 
or more darkens the green diode on the furthest right of  the display.
To the immediate left of  the display is the red diode indicator, 
which has the same functions as the red diodes on the left and right 
sides of  the body. See section LED Indicators for further details.
2.9.2 Operation
Because the lightmeter takes its measurement as a reflection off  the 
film, you must have film in the gate for the camera to provide an ac-
curate reading.
To use the lightmeter, follow these simple guidelines: Set the ISO 
selection on the control panel to the exposure index of  the film 
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 
34 
						

							
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 momentary 
switch must be held in the test position. The mirror shutter will ro-
tate 180° allowing light from the lens to reach the film and a reading 
to be taken by the meter. Adjust the lens iris until the center green 
diode is darkened, indicating proper exposure.
2.9.4 Testing and Adjusting the Meter
If  you are operating the lightmeter for test purposes, don’t forget to 
have film in the gate before taking a reading
The following is the procedure for checking and adjusting the sensi-
tivity reading of  the lightmeter:
• 1 - Evenly light a standard 18% grey card. 
• 2 - With a loaded magazine and lens on the camera, frame the 
chart so that it completely fills the Super16 frame. 
• 3 - With a properly calibrated handheld lightmeter, take a reading 
of  the grey surface and set the T stop of  the lens accordingly.
• 4 - Switch the camera to run or test position and check the posi-
tion of  the darkened diode. If  the center green diode is 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.
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THE CAMERA BODY
Single Frame Operation You may use the wooden handgrip Run/Test switch of your camera to shoot a single frame: just press this button to Test and immediatly release it. In that case, the film is exposed during 1/4 second.But you need to know  that the Xterà chamber is still not opaque enough so that more than 10 minutes can separate two single image shots. To use an Aaton camera in single image shooting, you'd better use an intervalometer and a lens capping shutter.  
						

							
• 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 
counterclockwise will correct an underexposure.
• 7 - In order to check your adjustment, replace the viewfinder, 
tighten the four screws and repeat the procedure from step 4. When 
the reading through the camera matches your handheld meter, the 
adjustment is complete.  
2.9.5 Turning the Lightmeter Off
If  the lightmeter is not being used, it may be turned off. The on/
off  toggle switch is located on the operators side to the left of  the 
motor. Keep in mind, the red diode indicator and end-of-film warn-
ings will function whether the display is on or off.
2.10 LCD CONTROL PANEL AND JOG
2.10.1 The Aaton Jog
Located to the immediate right of  the motor, the Aaton jog is a 
small wheel designed to simplify many user functions. When used in 
conjunction with the control panel, the jog allows 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)
2.10.2 Understanding the Control Panel
The LCD control panel consists of  an illuminated display and five 
buttons to access information (see diagram). The control panel op-
erates in two modes: Show and SET. To show a parameter without 
adjusting, go directly to one of  the four function buttons (1 through 
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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 
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 previ-
ously, any break longer than 7 seconds while in SET mode will au-
tomatically 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. 
2.10.3 Aatonite
In its default mode, the Jog controls the level of  Aatonite viewing 
screen illumination from zero to full brightness.
2.10.4 AatonCode
As a standard feature, the Xterà is equipped with the capability of  
recording AatonCode in-camera time. Timecode information is 
exposed onto the film by means of  seven micro-diodes, which are 
relayed, by means of  fiber optics, into the gate above the claw to the 
right of  the aperture opening. These micro-diodes flash rapidly to 
form the code as the film rolls through the gate between exposures.
For more elaborate information regarding the uses and functioning 
of  AatonCode, OriginCplus and other related devices, refer to the 
AatonCode chapter of  this manual.
If  AatonCode has been initialized in the camera, press button Time 
to view timecode information. Toggling button Time will display 
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THE CAMERA BODY
Adustment TipsWhile adjusting the sensitiv-ity of the lightmeter, you may wish to use your direct view of the display through the body's top cavity for reference.  If so, there are a few points to remember:• Because the image is inverted without the viewfinder in place, your adjustments will move in the opposite direction than what is seen through the finder.• Since the cavity is open, light will enter through this open-ing, making any reading inac-curate by 1/3 to 2/3 of a stop.  Therefore, only use the direct view of the display to reference the number of diodes adjusted.  Always check your final adjust-ment with the viewfinder in place. 
						

							
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 a particular film 
stock.  For AatonCode, proper 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.
Press button Batt/Iso twice to view the ASA selection. To adjust 
the ASA setting, press SET, then button Batt/Iso. Make your selec-
tion between 25 and 1000 ISO by toggling Batt/Iso or by rotating 
the jog wheel.
If  the ISO selector is adjusted while the camera is in test or run po-
sition, the correction will not take place until the next camera start.
2.10.6 Battery Voltage
Press button 3 to read the voltage of  the camera’s power source. 
Notice that, if  the camera is running and button 3 is pressed, the 
control panel will read and display the voltage under load.
2.10.7 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 75  fps by 
toggling SYNC or via the jog wheel.
2.10.8 Camera Specific Speed
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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. 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 EX/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 EX/VAR twice. Look through the 
camera at the monitor and press EX/VAR until the roll bar is out 
of  view. Press SET to enter.
2.10.10 Feet or Meters
The control panel can be set to count in either feet or meters in the 
following manner. Unplug power from the camera until the display 
goes dark. Simultaneously press button MAG while plugging power 
back in. Continue to hold button MAG and set camera Run/Test 
switch to test position; foot or meter will show on the display. Tog-
gle button MAG to make your selection.
2.10.11 Footage Remaining 
The control panel will display the memorized footage remaining any 
time the camera is running with a magazine on. 
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 
Force Processing and 
the AatonCode matrixRegardless 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, don't 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. 
						

							
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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 Mag ID, 
refer to the chapter entitled The Magazine.
2.10.14 New Magazine’s Footage
With a fully loaded magazine on board, press SET, then button 
MAG twice to reset the control panel to count down a full 400 ft 
load. If  a short end is being used, press SET, then button MAG, 
then reset the desired footage via the jog.
Note that the camera does not take a physical reading of  the film 
roll to determine the footage reading on its display; it is only a 
counter and it must be set by the user. There is, however, a mechan-
ical footage counter on the magazine that automatically measures 
the size of  the camera roll; use the magazine footage counter to de-
termine the correct short end length to input on the control panel.
2.10.15 Camera Software Version Number
If  you need to know the software version number your camera is 
equipped with, proceed as follow. Unplug the battery fron the cam-
era. Put the camera on Test mode. Then, while pluging back the 
battery, watch carefully the LCD control panel. During one second 
it will display the camera software version number.
2.11 LED INDICATORS
Changing Speeds while Running the CameraAny camera speed, wether pre-set or specific, can be changed when the camera is running. 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 vari-able speed), press SET, then VAR, then use the jog to ramp the speed higher or lower in .001 frame increments.