user’s guide Basic Instructions
Table of Contents •Technical Specifications •Loading Magazine loading Install magazine on camera body •Control Panel •Camera Wake-up and Switch Off •A-Minima default display •Speed Setting To modify and select a factory preset speed To modify a factory preset speed and choose a specific speed To modifiy a specific speed added to the preset speed list •Magazine footage setting •ASA setting •TimeCode setting Initializing the camera from its internal clock Programming the internal clock with a new time Initial
A-Minima - Loading Guide 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. - 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 be used as a master-clock too. - Fiber-optic viewing screen, 1:1.
A-Minima - Loading Guide 1 loading 4
A-Minima - Loading Guide The A-Minima spools are supplied by Kodak only : as of July 2000, six emulsions (S16, one side perf), in A-Minima loads, are available : 7245 (EXR 50D), 7246 (Vision 250D), 7248 (EXR 100T) 7274 (Vision 200T) 7277 (Vision 320T) and 7279 (Vision 500T). More codes will be available later. The A-Minima spools are "daylight friendly".
A-Minima - Loading Guide Shutter post magazine guiding posts Door lock Magazine take-up side with the magazine shutter. (in its open position) Note the silver spool lock lever.
A-Minima - Loading Guide Kodak aminima spool are made of two flexible flanges and one core Both flanges clips onto the core Both flanges can be installed on either side of the core. Loaded spool delivered by Kodak Note that the film is emulsion out.
A-Minima - Loading Guide 1-Pull the semi-circular lever up in order to release the core lock mechanism 2-pull few inches of film from the Kodak spool (keep the sticker, you will need it to attach the film to the take up spool) 2 - Install the film spool on the feed spindle with its wind clockwise 3 - Press evenlly on each side of the spool as shown on the picture.
A-Minima - Loading Guide Install one flange on the core Using the Kodak sticker, attach the film to the core (On spools previous version, the core was equipped with a slot. This slot has been removed from the new batch of core delivered by Kodak) Wind on a few turn, clockwise and emulsion out.
A-Minima - Loading Guide Install the remaining flange on the take-up core Turn the flange clockwise to lock it on the core 10
A-Minima - Loading Guide Place the take up spool in front of the take up side of the magazine Place it on the top of the feed spool with its wind clockwise, emulsion out..
A-Minima - Loading Guide To give the needed twist to the film loop, flip the take-up spool 180° as shown on the pictures The flange previously touching the feed spool should now be facing you.
A-Minima - Loading Guide 1-Pull the semi-circular leverup in order to release the core lock mechanism 2 - Install the film spool on the take-up spindle 3 - Press evenlly on each side of the spool while doing so, push the semi-circular lock down to lock the spool in place Close the magazine 13
A-Minima - Loading Guide Close the magazine lock lever by pushing it downward and rotating it counterclockwise. Close the magazine shutter by pushing the shutter post toward the magazine throat.
A-Minima - Loading Guide Adjust the loop lenght by pulling it to the magazine hinges. The length should approximately be 45 visible frames long.
A-Minima - Control Panel PICTURE OF THE CAMERA MAG PLATE 16
A-Minima - Loading Guide 1-Thread the film around the lower sprocket and close the lower pinch roller making sure the film’s perforations engage the sprocket teeth.
A-Minima - Loading Guide Place the loop on the gate. Be sure that the film is well-maintained under the circular pressure plate / guide barson either side of the film channel. Close the pressure plate after positioning the loop over the top and bottom white marks (loop = +/- 10 cm) If the film is installed in the right position, you have to hear a “clic” sound when you are closing the pressure plate.
A-Minima - Loading Guide Close the door and push the magazine toward the front of the camera. This will automatically engage claw in perf (if the camera is powered). Press the display upper arrow to check if the film is well-installed by pressing the display upper arrow. The film will move forward from one frame The camera is ready to shoot. Warnings : The spools are made to be used 3 or 4 times as take up spool. DO NOT USE NON-KOKAK READY-TO-SHOOT SPOOLS.
A-Minima - Loading Guide 2 control 20 panel
A-Minima - Control Panel Aminima control panel The aminima 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. - Inches the camera by frame when you are in the camera default mode. - Allows you to select or change the camera parameters within a menu. - Allows you to view, access and change the camera parameters.
A-Minima - Control Panel Wake-up and Switch Off the camera To wake up the camera press the bLUE button To Switch off the camera press the bLUE button during 5 sec. The display shows “Power Off ??”. Press YES, the camera switches off. Note : if left alone, the camera display will automaticaly shut off after 5 minutes.
A-Minima - Control Panel Camera running, the display shows the selected speed and the remaining footage. 24.000 200 ft Note: If no magazine is installed, the camera will display "NO MAG" in place of the footage 24.000 NO MAG Parameters settings: In order to view or to change a camera parameter, use the lower arrows to scroll through the different menus.
A-Minima - Control Panel 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. When setting the camera to a specific speed, not being part of the preset ones, A-Minima allows you to add or not this particular speed to the factory selected speed list. The added speed can be later removed from the preset speed selection.
A-Minima - Control Panel To modify a factory preset speed, and choose a specifc speed: From the camera default display, press DOWN once to access the speed menu, press YES, PRESET blinks, press DOWN, NEW SPEED blinks, press YES then use YES and NO to select the digit you want to modify, UP and DOWN to modify it. After entering the last digit, you can add it to your preset speed list, press YES to do so or NO if not. 24.000 200 ft SPEED= 24.000 33.333 ADD TO PRESET ? PRESET NEW SPD PRESET NEW SPD 24.
A-Minima - Control Panel to modify a specific speed, added to the preset speed list. A-Minima allows you to modify or delete this speed. If you want to modify it, access the speed menu, then choose "MODIFY" and select a new speed from the PRESET or NEW SPEED menu. If you want to deleted it from your preset list, choose DELETE, then press YES. 33.333 200 ft SPEED = 33.333 MODIFY DELETE PRESET NEW SPD 33.333 200 ft SPEED = 33.333 MODIFY DELETE REMOVE 33.
A-Minima - Control Panel ASA setting Third on the list, the ASA must be adjusted to the exposure index of the film stock being used. The ISO/ASA selector of the camera provides settings between 25 and 1000 ASA. From the camera default display, press the lower arrow three times to access the ASA setting menu, press YES, then use the UP or DOWN arrow to select the desired ASA. Press YES to validate. 24.000 000 ft ASA = 250 500 Set ASA @ 250 24.
A-Minima - Control Panel Timecode setting 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. Timecode can be quickly initialized from the camera internal clock or can be inputted from an external device.
A-Minima - Control Panel Programming the internal clock with a new time. You can change the camera internal time within the timecode menu. Access the timecode menu, then press YES. Select NEW TIME with the down arrow then press YES. First select the year with the up or down arrow, press YES to validate, aminima will take you to each timecode field.
A-Minima - Control Panel Initializing the camera with an external device The preferred method is by means of the OriginC+ 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 OriginC+: (please refer to the OC+ manual in order to program it) Make sure the camera is powered. Connect the OriginC+ to the lemo5 receptacle located at the rear of the camera, above the lemo6 receptacle.
A-Minima - Control Panel SEND ASCII ? A-Minima can be use to initialize another ASCII device. From the camera default display, access this option by pressing the DOWN arrow five time (if the timecode has not been initialized, this option will not show on the camera display) Connect the camera to the timecode device, using the proper cable. Most likely, this would be a Lemo5 to Lemo5 cable. Please contact your Aaton representative or rental house for further information concerning cables wiring.
A-Minima - Control Panel Video Sync When used in conjunction with the small Aaton Power Base, this option allows you to automatically synchronize the camera to a source signal such as a computer/video monitor. In that mode, the UP or DOWN arrows can phase the camera, programming the relationship between the camera shutter and the source signal. After this one time adjustment, the phase relationship remains identical every time the camera is turned on.
A-Minima - Control Panel Intervalometer mode A-Minima makes time lapse photography easy, it offers different intervals from 1 to 80 seconds (in one second increment) as well as the possibility of taking 1 to 99 frames in between intervals (frame bursts). In the intervalometer mode, the A-Minima operates at a constant rate of 2 frames per second. The shutter opening being a fixed 172,8 degrees, it makes for an approximately 1/4 of a second exposure time for each frames.
A-Minima - Control Panel Note: With a 172,8° shutter, each exposure is 0,24s instead of 0,25s if you had a 180 degrees shutter. In 16mm, a full 200 feet roll contains 8000 frames. When viewed at 24 frames per second, a roll last approx 5 minutes and 30 seconds. The following formula gives you the actual time T1 i(n seconds) the event will be filmed in according to the interval, frame burst chosen and the total number of frame to be taken.
A-Minima - Control Panel Display Backlight In order to preserve battery power, the A-Minima backlight display can be switched on or off. From the camera default display pressing DOWN arrow seven times will take you to the display light menu of the A-Minima. Press YES to enter, select ON or OFF with the UP or DOWN arrow, press YES again. 24.000 200 ft DISPLAY LIGHT ON ? OFF ? A-Minima options Feet & Meter A-Minima footage can be displayed in both meter or foot.
A-Minima - Control Panel Technic / Shutter Mode A-Minima can run a capping shutter when using Intervalometer mode. From the camera default display pressing DOWN arrow height times will take you to the “Options” menu of the A-Minima. Press YES to enter, press DOWN arrow to select “Technic”. Press YES. The display shows you “Shutter Mode ?”. Press YES.
A-Minima - Control Panel Lens port The A-Minima camera can fits Arri PL and Nikon mounts. As the A-Minima is a Super 16 camera only, it is very easy to install and remove lens port (no optical axis adjustment). A-Minima viewing screen Installing the lens (PL mount) To install the lens on the camera body, turn outer locking ring counter-clockwise until it reaches its stop.
A-Minima - Control Panel Power The current consumption of the A-Minima with 12 volts power supply ( 4 x 3 Volts batteries) is from 0,45 to 0,7 Amps (at + 20°C and - 10°C respectively). The voltage tolerance is from 10 to 14 V. In case of power overload or polarity reversal, there is a fuse protection on the battery holder. The four small 3 V batts drives the camera for one hour @ 24 fps (approximately 8-10 mags).
A-Minima - Control Panel 8 9 1 - Diopter locking knob 2 - Diopter ring 1 2 3 - Lens port locking ring 4 - PL lens port 5 - Power base fuse (5 Amps) 3 6 - Front rods threaded insert 7 - Lemo 2 receptacle (camera remote ON/OFF) 4 8 - Fisher 4 receptacle (connection for LCD mini monitor) 9 - Video iris control 5 6 7 FRONT 39
A-Minima - Control Panel 1 - Magazine release lever 2 - Incident lightmeter dome 3 - Camera LCD display 4 - On board battery receptacle 5 - Camera key panel 6 - BNC connector (video out) (video out) 7 - Camera ON/OFF switch 8 - Lemo 6 receptacle (12V out,start, shutter pulse) 9 - CCD B&W video assist 1 40 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
A-Minima - Control Panel 1 2 1 - Video LED (indicator for video on) 2 - Video ON/OFF switch 3 - Lemo 5 receptacle (ASCII in/out, LTC in) 4 - Lemo 6 receptacle (12 Volts out, start, shutter pulse) 5 - magazine release lever 3 4 6 - XLR 4 receptacle (12 Volts in) 5 7 - BNC connector ( external sync in) 7 6 41
A-Minima - Control Panel A-Minima external measurements 174 93 104 145 183 116 111 AATON ENCOMBREMENTAMINIMA ECHELLE 0.
