Aaton Cam Xter Users Guide

							
3.5 LOADING 
The straightforward design of  the DX magazine allows for quick, 
easy loading and an absolute minimum amount of  threading in the 
dark. The film does not need to be cut in preparation for loading.
3.5.1 Feed Side - In the Changing Bag
• Place the film can and the magazine, feed side up, in the changing 
bag and zip closed.
• Disable the mechanical footage counter, located on the feed door, 
by rotating counter clockwise until it locks in its recessed position.
• Unfasten the feed door lock by turning downward and open the 
feed door.
• Remove the film from its can and bag.
• On the feed core holder, squeeze the core lock mechanism on ei-
ther side with thumb and forefinger to release core lock.
• Place the film on the feed spindle with its wind clockwise and 
press the center of  the core lock to lock the core in place.
• Thread 4" of  film around the outside of  the lower guide roller and 
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THE MAGAZINE
Care for your Changing 
BagA clean and light-tight changing bag is the only thing separating your precious footage from a veritable washout.  Before using your changing bag each day, turn it inside out and shake it clean of dirt and debris.  It is also a good practice to periodi-cally inspect its edges for holes and tears.  Hold it up to a strong light to check for any pin hole leaks.
magnets 
						

							
through large coaxial roller emulsion out. Make sure that the length 
of  film feeds completely through to the take-up side.
• Close and lock the feed door and engage the footage counter by 
rotating clockwise.
• Remove the magazine from the changing bag.
3.5.2 Take-up Side - In Daylight
• Unfasten the take-up door lock by rotating downward and open 
the door.
• 
Release the doors of  the upper and lower pinch rollers by pressing 
the white buttons and gently pulling open.
• Pull the length of  film from the slot of  the coaxial roller and pass 
below the first idler roller. Bypass the upper sprocket for the time 
being and push the film directly through the upper channel slot to 
the outside of  the nose. Pull through about one foot in length.
• Reintroduce the film into the lower slot, back into the magazine.
• Place a plastic take-up core onto the take-up spindle, check that 
the core is seated properly, and press the center of  the core lock to 
lock the core in place.
• Bypass the lower sprocket for now and pass the film underneath 
the lower roller. Fit the film end into a plastic take-up core and wind 
on a few turns counter-clockwise and emulsion in.
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• Thread the film around the lower sprocket, making sure the film's 
perforations engage the sprocket teeth. Close the lower pinch roller 
until it locks firmly in position and a noticeable click is heard.
• Hold the lower sprocket with your right thumb and rotate the 
take-up core counter-clockwise to remove any slack.
• Thread the film around the upper sprocket and adjust the loop un-
til its taut length is 14 to 15 frames long outside of  the nose. When 
the proper length is achieved, close the upper pinch roller until it 
locks firmly in position.
• Remove any slack, then close and lock the take-up door.
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THE MAGAZINE
The Two-Finger RuleWhen loading the take-up side of the magazine, the loop size can quickly be measured by inserting two fingers within the loop perpendicular to the mag's pressure plates.
At first, determine proper loop size by pulling the looped film away from the mag, counting and adjusting for  15 to 16 visible perforations for a length 14 to 15 frames long. Then, insert two fingers and check how the  spacing relates to the proper loop length. Of course, each person's finger-measured equivalent will be slightly dif-ferent, but for most people, a tight two-finger length is ap-proximately a 14 frame loop, a loose two fingers is about 15 frames.  After you become familiar loading the mag, you should be able to use the two-finger method to save time setting your loop. 
						

							
3.6  800 ft magazine 
Though the 800 ft design and loading is very close to the 400 ft 
magazine, the following points need to be respected.
3.6.1Feed side, loading.
The loading is very similar to the 400 ft. Do not forget to install 
the upper platter when the film stock is loaded. This platter allows 
the proper driving of  the film, reduces the noise level and avoids 
scratch problems.This platter and the take-up side platter must al-
ways be clean.
3.6.2 Take-up side, loading.
The film path is the same as the 400 ft magazine. The 800 ft film 
stock is delivered with a 3 inch core. It is necessary to use this kind 
of  core to ensure a proper take-up. If  you need these cores you can 
ask your Kodak dealer. The 2 inch core can be used but Aaton ad-
vises against it. The loop has to be adjusted to 14-15 perfs. Do not 
forget to install the take-up side platter.
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Warning :Never use the 800 ft magazine without both platters. 
						

							
• Mag identification system
Determined by the combination of  magnets in receivers located 
above the drive wheel on the mag throat 
( same combinations than the 400 ft magazine ).
• Footage
A sensor coupled to an external display, allows to verify the remain 
footage in the magazine. 
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THE MAGAZINE
Warning : when you install the 
platter, be sure that the edge 
of  the platter is placed on top 
of  the driving roller. An incor-
rect positioning could create 
some take-up problems.
Note :  with XTR and 
XTRplus cameras, the LCD 
display does not indicate the 
remaining footage in the 800 
ft magazine. This function is 
strictly reserved to the Xterà. 
						

							
THE AATON SYSTEM
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4 
						

							
4.1 CAMERA CONFIGURATIONS
4.1.1 15mm Front Rods
The most versatile and popular configuration for accessorizing the 
XTRplus camera, the universal 15mm screw-in front rod system can 
instantly accept Aaton, Arri, Chrosziel, Petroff  and other manufac-
turers' mattebox and follow focus systems. Utilizing the front rod 
system allows for quick conversion from tripod to shoulder operat-
ing modes without the need for recon-figuration.
Aaton manufactures 60mm and 120mm length rods that screw di-
rectly into the front housing of  Xterà underneath the lens port.
The 15mm front rod system is recommended when standard size 
lenses and accessories are to be used or when quick conversion be-
tween tripod and handheld modes is necessary.
4.1.2 Sliding Bridgeplate
The Xterà can also accept standard 15 and 19mm sliding bridge-
plates for building the camera system for high-end studio work. 
The bridgeplate configuration can accept Aaton, Arri, Chrosziel and 
other manufacturers' mattebox, follow focus and support equipment 
that is designed for bridgeplate use.
Standard bridgeplates can be attached to the Xterà by means of  the 
3/8-16 tripod receptacle on the underside of  the camera.
The sliding bridgeplate system is recommended when large 35mm 
lenses and accessories are to be used, when using a geared head or 
when the highest possible production value is neccessary.
4.2 HANDGRIP
The Xterà body includes a wooden handgrip, short 15mm rods, rod coupler and 
Lemo2 cable as standard. The handgrip, which is designed to be used for com-
fortable handheld operation, can also be used to provide on/off  control on the 
battery side of  the camera while on the tripod.
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4.2.1 Mounting the Handgrip
Screw in one 15mm short rod into each of  the two recepticles on 
the front housing of  the camera below the lens port. Slide the cou-
pler over the two rods to the desired location and fasten its center 
wing nut to secure the rods in position. Attach the handgrip to the 
coupler by mating the star plate on the coupler to that on the hand-
grip, adjusting to the desired position and fastening the T screw of  
the handgrip. Connect the Lemo2 cable between the handgrip and 
camera body to add on/off  capability to the handgrip. The Lemo2 
connector is located on the battery side of  the camera at the front 
of  the accessory box.
4.2.2 Handgrip On/Off  Functions
Both camera run and test functions are available from the handgrip. 
While hand-holding the camera, pressing the rocker switch to the 
right provides camera run, pressing the switch to the left provides 
test. Unlike the body switch, the camera test position of  the hand-
grip is a momentary switch. Pressing and holding the switch opens 
the shutter and advances the mechanism 1/2 frame. Pressing and 
immediately releasing this switch advances the mechanism one full 
frame at a 1/4 sec exposure time. This function allows the use of  
the handgrip as a simple intervalometer.
4.2.3 Handgrip Adjustments
The handgrip rotation should be adjusted for maximum handheld 
operating comfort. Loosen the T screw and rotate the handgrip at 
the star plate until a more comfortable position is found.
If  a more extreme repositioning is required, whether it be for rea-
sons of  comfort or clearance in certain studio rig configurations, 
this can be achieved with coupler extenders, spacers and intermedi-
ate arms which utilize the star plate system for adjustment. Ask your 
agent for a configuration that meets your needs.
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THE AATON SYSTEM 
						

							
4.3 TRIPOD USE
In order to use the Xterà on a standard tripod, the tripod's quick 
release plate must be fastened to the underside of  the camera body 
with its standard 3/8-16 screw. Make sure to use only a quick release 
plate screw provided by the manufacturer; non-standard screws lon-
ger than 8mm (1/3") can fracture the base casting and damage the 
camera's electronics.
4.4 SHOULDER OPERATION
One of  the most attractive features of  the Aaton system has always 
been its comfort and ease of  use in handheld situations.
The Aaton S16 camera line does not require the use of  shoulder 
braces or additional padding for handheld operation. The contour 
of  the camera and magazine is designed to fit snugly around the 
operator's shoulder. The wooden handgrip is attached to the front 
rod coupler at a slight angle to bring the operator's elbow into his 
side and increase stability.
The system can be completely built off  the 15mm front rods with-
out the use of  a bridgeplate to allow for quick changing from shoul-
der to tripod operating modes.
4.5 CARRYING HANDLE
The carrying handle of  the Xterà is reinforced to safely accommodate any carry-
ing , operating or mounting situation.
4.5.1 3/8 Accessory Screw
The handle features a 3/8-16 insert to receive accessories such as 
french flags and lightweight monitors. Be sure not to use a 3/8 
screw longer than 10mm (7/16"); longer screws can fracture the in-
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