www.aaton.com/a-minima/ Version 2.
1 presentation
Chapter 1 - Presentation Technical Specifications : Technical specifications and User's guide are subject to change without notice. - Super16 only, 172,8° * spinning mirror reflex shutter, - Around 2 kg (4 Lbs) with on-board battery and film. - Overhaul dimensions: L: 245mm, H: 140mm, W: 110 mm (9.7" x 5.5" x 4.4") - Time recording by XTRprod compatible AatonCode-II matrixes, accurate to a 1/4 of a frame. The camera can also be used as a master-clock - Sound level: 28 db (1-/+2).
8 1 2 3 4 5 1 - Magazine release lever 2 - Lightmeter dome 3 - Backlight LCD display 4 - Batteries compartment 5 - LED camera and timecode status indicator 6 - Control panel 7 - Camera run switch 8 - Video assist port 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 1 - Viewing screen collimation port 2 - gate rear pressure plate 3 - Film pulldown claw 4 - Take-up sprocket door 5 - Feed sprocket door 6 - Feed sprocket 7 - Take-up sprocket 8 - Magazine locking mechanism 6 7 9 9 - Shutter trigger 10 - Magazine release leve
1 1 2 3 6 2 4 7 3 4 5 6 5 8 1 - Diopter locking knob 2 - PL lens port locking ring 3 - A-minima fixed viewing screen 4 - camera 172.8°mirror/shutter 5 - Arri PL lens port 6 - Video assist port 7 - Access hole for locking the video assist lens. 1 - Camera rubber eyecup 2 - magazine feed side 3 - magazine take-up side 4- Lightmeter dome 5 - Lemo 5 timecode socket 6 - Lemo 6 accessories socket 7 - Magazine release lever 8 - Magazine hinge.
1 2 5 3 1 4 6 3 6 2 5 1 - Diopter locking knob 2 - Magazine latch 3 - 3/8-16 insert 4 - camera run switch 5 - Video port cover 1 - 3/8-16 mounting hole 2 - Lemo 6 Aaton power base connection 3 - power base locating hole 4 - Magazine hinge 5 - Magazine release lever 6 - Hand strap holder 4
2 control panel
Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel A-Minima control panel The A-Minima control panel consist of an illuminated LCD display, six buttons to access and adjust all operator functions, and a camera status LED. Each buttons can have a different function, depending on the mode you are in. NO YES • Inches the camera by frame when you are in the camera default display. • Allows you to select or change the camera parameters within a menu. • Allows you to view, access and change the camera parameters.
Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel Camera run : A-minima default display The running function of the camera motor is accomplished electronically and can be accessed in two ways. When first powered or after pressing the blue button, the display shows the camera selected speed / timecode status and remaining footage.
Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel Parameters setting : In order to view or to change a camera parameter, use the DOWN key to scroll through the different menus. Each menu can be accessed in the following order. Speed setting A-minima has a selection of preset speed that you can choose from. You can also make your selection of any 0,001 incremented crystal speed between 1.000 and 50.000 fps.
Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel To delete a specific speed added to the preset list If you want to deleted it from your preset list, choose DELETE, then press YES. The camera will default to 1.000 fps. modify modify remove delete delete 33.333? preset speed= 1.000 removed 1.000 200 ft ASA setting Third on the list, the ASA must be adjusted to the exposure index of the film stock being used.
Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel Timecode As a standard feature, the A-minima is equipped with the capability of recording Aatoncode in camera time. Timecode information is exposed onto the film by means of seven micro diodes located into the gate of the camera, near the camera pulldown claw. These diodes flash rapidly to form the code, as the film pass through the gate between exposures.
Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel Initializing the camera with an external device : The preferred method is by means of the OriginCplus wich inputs timecode in ASCII form. It is also possible for the camera to receive information in SMPTE form, directly from a SMPTE device such as a TC audio recorder. • Using the OriginCplus : (please refer to the OC+ manual in order to program it)Make sure the camera is powered.
Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel The video connector installed on the Aaton power base accepts a video composite signal.The video sync menu simply allows you to film a monitor or computer screen with the roll bar set out of view. Listed after the camera timecode options, press YES to set the camera in video sync mode. Without a magazine installed, run the camera.
Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel Display light In order to save battery power, the A-minima display backlight can be turned off. From the camera default display, press the DOWN key eight times to access the display light menu. Press YES to enter, select ON or OFF with the UP or DOWN key. Press YES to validate 24.000 display on ? 200 ft light off ? shutter : Go to the A-MINIMA OPTIONS menu, then press YES to enter.
Chapter 2 - The A-Minima Control Panel will run at one frame per second, the red LED flashes and a "NO EXT SYNC" message is displayed. Camera master: to control another A-Minima speed and shutter. shutter camera modify 24.000 mode ? master ? OK 200 ft Please contact your Aaton representative or rental house for further information concerning cables wiring.
Chapter 3 - Loading the A-Minima The Film 1 2 2 3 1 - Magazine latch 2 - Camera door locating pin 3 - Magzine hinge The A-minima magazine is designed to accommodate the new "Aminima daylight spools" designed by Aaton. Manufactured and delivered by Eastman Kodak, the spools can handle 200ft of film. The magazine coaxial design utilizes two identical spools, one on each side. The A-minima spools are "daylight friendly".
Chapter 3 - Loading the A-Minima When engaging the mag onto the camera, the magazine shutter opens, allowing the two flexible spools to come in contact and be driven by the camera take-up and feed sprockets. In this position, both spools are spread apart to ensure a clean and silent passage for the film.
Chapter 3 - Loading the A-Minima Installing the loaded magazine and threading the A-minima. Before installing the magazine, adjust the loop length by pulling it to the beginning of the magazine hinge. Also, on the camera body, open the feed and take-up sprocket door by simply pushing them away from the sprockets (fig 1). Swing the gate pressure plate open by pulling it toward the rear of the camera. Before installing the magazine, you should power the camera body.
Chapter 3 - Loading the A-Minima Pull the magazine locking lever to release the magazine, close the camera door and re-engage firmly the magazine into position. Press on the upper arrow to re-engage the claw and set your camera shutter in the reflex viewing position. Removing the exposed film spool After you exposed your full 200 ft roll, you can disengage the magazine from the camera and remove the daylight spool.
Chapter 4 - Connectors A-Minima Pin Attribution LEMO 6 1 6 2 5 3 4 1 - Ground 2 - Can Bus 3 - Can Bus + 4 - + Batt (12 Volts) 5 - Shutter pulse / Synch 6 - Start LEMO 6 6 1 5 2 4 3 1 - Ground 2 - Can Bus 3 - Can Bus + 4 - + Batt (12 Volts) 5 - Shutter pulse / Synch 6 - Start Connectors The A-minima uses three connectors for power and accessory input and output. Following is a detailed list, location and main function of each.
5 accessories
Chapter 5 - Accessories 1 1 2 2 A-Minima Power Base When used in conjunction with the A-minima camera body, the Aaton small power base extends the camera functions.without compromising its size, weight and ease of use. The power base is multi functional: as a tripod intermediary plate, it accepts a standard 15mm or 19mm sliding bridgeplate for building the camera system for studio work.
Chapter 5 - Accessories Power Base Pin Attribution XLR4 1 - Ground 2 - not connected 3 - not connected 4 - + batt (12 Volts) 4 1 2 3 LEMO6 1 1 - Ground 2 - Can Bus 3 - Can Bus + 4 - + Batt (12 Volts) 5 - Shutter pulse / Synch 6 - Start 6 2 5 3 4 LEMO2 1 - Ground 2 - Start 2 1 BNC 2 1 1 - Video / sync in 2 - Ground Use the 3/8" screw to attach the Aaton power base to the bottom of the camera body. A 5mm locating pin insures the correct lateral positioning of the camera.
Chapter 1 - Presentation Chapter 1 - Presentation The A-minima Clip-on Battery 1 2 3 1 - Molex charger connector 2 - Battery 12 volts output 3 - Locking lever (in the locked position) 48 Compact, lightweight and recellable, the A-minima Clip-On battery provides 1,7 Ah of power at 12 V, running approximately 30 x 200ft magazines at 24 fps.
Chapter 1 - Presentation Chapter 1 - Presentation The A-minima Top Handle The A-minima top handle has been design to accommodate new ways of carrying, operating or mounting the camera. Safely attached to the camera 3/8" top insert, the orientable top handle also provides camera on/off capability, LCD monitor mounting or an extra 3/8"insert to receive accessories such as french flags or assistant lights. As standard, a camera run function is available from the Top Handle.
Chapter 5 - Accessories The A-minima video assist 1 2 3 4 5 1 - Video lens iris lever 2 - Fisher 4 socket 3 - Run light 4 - On/Off switch 5 - BNC connector, video out This on-board flicker less video assist has been designed to integrate a reliable B & W CCD video camera without compromising the Aminima size, flexibility and ease of use. Powered internally from the A-minima camera body, it does not need an outside power cable.
Chapter 5 - Accessories The video housing is made of two "half shell". The back one holds the video on/off switch, led and mini monitor connector, the front one integrates the manual iris and threaded ring used to secure the video assist onto the camera. Unscrew the three allen screws holding both part together (see diagram) Carefully feed the camera wire and its Molex white connector in between the video lens and video front housing.
Worldwide support Worldwide Support Here is the list of the Aaton agents worldwide. If you cannot find an agent near you, please contact international@aaton.com.
Worldwide support - Eastern Countries InterLab [ Cameras, Keylink ] Contact: David Stein E-mail: david.stein@interlab-net.com Web: http://www.interlab-net.com - France Aaton s.a. [ Cameras, Keylink ] 2 rue de la Paix BP 3002 38001 Grenoble Cedex FRANCE Contact: Camera related: Frank Fischer Keylink related: Alain Bellet Tel: 33 4 7642 9550 Fax: 33 4 7651 3491 E-mail: info@aaton.com support@aaton.com Web: http://www.aaton.
Worldwide support - Japan Suzuki Ent. [ Cameras ] Dai Ichi Nichiya Bldg 2F 151 Tokyo JAPAN Contact: Sadaaki Suzuki Tel: 81 353 50 8235 Fax: 81 353 50 8237 E-mail: sei@sei8404.com - Korea C.A.M. PROD [ Cameras ] Non Hyun Dong 67-10, To Ok Bldg. 1st Floor, Kang Nam Gu Seoul 135-010 KOREA contact : Young Jin Park Tel : 82 2 3444 2229 Fax : 82 2 3444 2224 camprod@chollian.
Worldwide support - Sweden RE Film Service AB [ Cameras ] Strindbergsgatan 58 115 53 Stockholm SWEDEN Contact: Hans Schott Tel: 46 8 662 25 35 Fax: 46 8 662 25 03 E-mail: office@re-film.se - South Africa The Camera Platform [ Cameras ] 39, Haven Road Broadacres Randburg Contact: Tink Minster Tel: +27 11 705-2601 Fax: +27 11 705-2602 Cel: 083 375 2383 E-mail : tink@cameraplatform.co.
