Aaton Cam Xter Users Guide

							
sert casting and damage the viewfinder's optics.
4.5.2 Mounting from the Carrying Handle
The 3/8 insert, along with a guide hole at the rear of  the handle, 
can also be used to build a plate to undersling the camera or to 
configure the rig for Steadicam low mode use. For this reason, the 
handle features a long flat top surface that is parallel to the bottom 
of  the camera. 
4.5.3 Tape Measure Stud
The handle is also equipped with a hideaway tape measure stud, 
which is positioned between the rods directly behind the 3/8 insert. 
To use this stud, pull it up and fasten the ring of  a standard assis-
tant's tape measure around it; the stud holds the tape measure zero 
point precisely at the film plane.
4.6 TRANSPORT
One often overlooked, yet vital factor in the proper functioning and longevity of  
your camera equipment is your transportation practices. A few good shipping 
habits can avert potential damage caused by careless messenger services and air-
port handling.
When shipping and carrying your equipment, it is always good prac-
tice to break down the package to its basic components whenever 
possible. Ship the body, mags and batteries unattached and individu-
ally padded. Never, under any circumstances, ship the camera with a 
lens attached (especially a zoom lens). Shocks transferred from the 
outside of  a case could have disastrous effects to the ultra-critical 
back focus of  a lens and flange focal distance of  a camera if  trans-
ported as one.
Make certain there is ample padding between individual components 
in a case and from the case's outer edges. Shipping case manufactur-
ers suggest a minimum of  1 1/2" padding between high precision 
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THE AATON SYSTEM 
						

							
components such as the camera and lenses. 1" of  padding is accept-
able, however, between some of  the more rugged components, such 
as magazines and batteries. Manufacturers also suggest to allow 2" 
of  padding between the component and the outside of  the case. 
Choose a case design that, not only meets your shipping and travel 
requirements, but allows you maximum flexibility and comfort out 
in the field. Check with your Aaton agent to determine the case 
configuration that best suits your needs.
4.7 EXTREME CONDITIONS
Certain precautions should be taken in order to achieve maximum performance 
when operating the Xterà in extreme or adverse conditions.
4.7.1 Cold weathers
The Xterà features a built-in electronic heating element located in its 
base which is designed to automatically turn on when needed and 
maintain the claw mechanism at a temperature of  15° F.
One of  the cold, hard facts of  cold weather shooting is the consid-
erable reduction of  battery life. Do whatever possible to conserve 
62 
						

							
your batteries and always carry more than usual. Favor many small 
batteries, such as on-boards and lithium cells (which are easier to 
keep warm), over large block batteries. Use a powercable so that the 
on-board battery could be kept in a pocket close to the warmth of  
your body.
When filming outdoors, use a standard or heated barney to protect 
the camera body from direct contact with the wind and cold. To 
avoid condensation inside the mechanism, electronics and lens ele-
ments, do not take the equipment indoors or expose it to sudden 
temperature changes. If  and when the equipment must be moved 
inside, do so by first placing it in a sealed container and letting it 
thaw for a few hours before opening. 
Always keep your raw stock and loaded magazines below freezing 
temperatures at all times during a cold weather shoot.
7.2 Warm Weather
To keep the temperature of  the camera body down, avoid having 
the camera exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of  time by 
using a barney, all-weather cover, or some form of  shading, like an 
umbrella.
Most importantly, keep raw stock and magazines in a dry cooler or 
in the coolest location available. 
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THE AATON SYSTEM 
						

							
CLEANING
65
5 
						

							
5.1 LENS
5.1.1 Lens Elements
The front and rear surfaces of  your lenses should be inspected reg-
ularly and always kept clean of  dust particles, smudges, fingerprints, 
etc. First, blow off  any large particles of  debris using an air syringe. 
Lens elements should then be cleaned using lens cleaning fluid with 
lens tissue.  Apply a few drops of  cleaning fluid to a fresh lens tis-
sue or directly to the lens. Wipe the lens in a circular fashion, start-
ing from the center and working towards the outer edge. Finish with 
a fresh dry tissue. If  some streaking remains, repeat the procedure 
until the surface is sufficiently clean.
5.1.2 Lens Exterior
The exterior of  your lenses such be cleaned of  dirt and adhesives 
as necessary. Use a multi-purpose cleaner or degreaser such as De-
Solv-It applied with a Q-tip, lens tissue or cotton cloth.
5.1.3 Mounting Surface
Always inspect and keep the surfaces of  your lens mounts clean us-
ing alcohol or a multi-purpose cleaner with a Q-tip. Remember, any 
debris found on the surface which contacts the lens seat can directly 
affect the back focus of  your lens. Make sure the Q-tip does not 
leave any cotton fibers behind.
5.2 BODY
5.2.1 Exterior
Keep the external body surfaces clean using a cotton cloth with 
alcohol or a multi-purpose cleaner. Use a utility brush with soft 
bristles to clean dirt from tight crevices.
5.2.2 Mounting Surfaces
Like the lens mount, extra care should be taken to keep the lens 
port ring completely free of  dirt and debris. Clean this surface, as 
66
Lens Cleaning TipsAvoid handling lens tissue on the surfaces which will contact the lens.  Oil from your hands transferred to the lens surface will make an easy cleaning job tough.  Furthermore, never clean a lens element without the aid of cleaning fluid.  A good number of scratches on lens surfaces are caused by poor cleaning methods. 
						

							
well as the threads of  the lens lock ring using alcohol or a multi-
purpose cleaner applied to a Q-tip.
5.2.3 Camera Gate
The gate should be cleaned of  film particles by means of  a pointed 
wooden or plastic orange stick. The tool used should be of  a soft 
and pliable enough material (like wood) to conform to the grooved 
side channels of  the gate without breaking. Make sure to inspect 
and clean the left and right channels, the frame of  the aperture 
opening, the lateral pressure plate, the tip of  the claw and the time-
code LEDs. 
Afterwards, run your finger across the left and right rails of  the 
gate, if  your hands are clean. The oil from your finger will provide 
just enough lubricant for the film to pass these surfaces smoothly. 
Inspect the gate; if  the rails are still dirty or are carrying any debris 
(such as the adhesive from recanned rolls of  film), with a Q-tip, use 
a cleaning fluid that will do the job. Alcohol and lens cleaner are 
safe to use on the surface of  the gate. Make sure the Q-tip does not 
leave any cotton threads behind.
5.3 VIEWING SYSTEM
The following components of  the viewing system should be cleaned 
whenever dirt particles are visible through the view- finder. Use lens 
fluid applied with a cotton or preferably a foam Q-tip for all areas.
By cleaning the viewing system in the order described below, you 
will clean the more dust-prone areas first, which may help you track 
down most dirt particles sooner.
5.3.1 Viewing Screen
Look through the lens port at the reflection of  the viewing screen 
in the mirror and check for visible dust particles. Clear the mirror 
shutter so that it is rotated safely inside the body by rotating at the 
base of  the shutter with your finger or by setting the camera to test 
   67
CLEANING
Cleaning the Mirror ShutterDo not attempt to clean the surface of the mirror shutter; any small dust particles vis-ible from the lens port will not come into focus in your viewfinder.  If large particles of dirt must be removed, do so using an air syringe. Never use canned air on this surface.If the mirror is in need of a deeper cleaning, to remove smudges or oil, take your cam-era to a qualified technician to be cleaned.
Warning !Remember, the camera gate is a sensitive and high precision area directly responsible for the exact focus of the image; be careful not to use hard, damaging materials (like met-al) on the its surface.  Under no circumstances should you perform any function within the aperture opening, lens port or near the claw with power attached to the camera.  Accidently running the camera while performing such tasks can cause serious damage to the shutter and mechanism 
						

							
position, then removing the battery. Remove the viewing screen as 
described in section 2.8, Changing the Viewing Screen in the Cam-
era Body chapter of  the manual. Clean both upper and lower sur-
faces of  the screen and reinstall. 
5.3.2 Eyepiece
Clean the eye lens (A), which is the outermost element closest to your 
eye, by first blowing the surface with canned air, then cleaning with 
lens fluid and a Q-tip. Remove the eyepiece and clean the field lens (B), 
which is located on the inside of  the eyepiece, in the same fashion. 
68
Finding the dirtThere is a simple means of locating much of the dirt within your viewing system:Look through the viewfinder with no lens on the camera and adjust the diopter ring.  If the dust particles remain in focus, they are most likely located on either side of the eyepiece.  If the dust comes in and out of focus as the ring is moved, the dust is probably located on either surface of the viewing screen.  Further-more, if the dust appears to be on the same focus plane as the cross hairs of the viewing screen, it is most likely on the bottom surface of the screen and easily accessible.
ab 
						

							
5.3.3 Viewfinder
With the eyepiece off, look into the remaining viewfinder and clean 
the exposed element of  the pechan prism using canned air or an air 
syringe. If  dirt particles are still present, remove the viewfinder as-
sembly from the camera by removing the four allen screws that hold 
the base of  the viewfinder to the front housing. Clean the exposed 
underside element of  the viewfinder.
5.4 MAGAZINE
5.4.1 Exterior
Keep the external surface of  the magazines clean by wiping down 
with a cotton cloth with alcohol or a multi-purpose cleaner.  When 
a deeper cleaning is necessary, use De-Solv-It rubbed into the mag's 
surface with a cotton cloth. Finish with alcohol applied with a cloth 
to restore its original finish. 
5.4.2 Pressure Plates
The magazine pressure plates should be cleaned of  dirt and film par-
ticles by means of  a dust-free cotton or chamois cloth. After clean-
ing, run your finger across their surface for a slight lubrication.
5.4.3 Interior / Film Path
qOpen the doors of  the magazine and inspect all surfaces on which 
the film rides. If  any film dust buildup is apparent in the sprocket or 
roller areas, use alcohol and a Q-tip to clean. Use a utility brush with 
soft bristles to clean particles from tight crevices.
Afterwards, use canned air and thoroughly blow out any remaining 
dust in the throat and main chambers.
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CLEANING