penelope by Aaton Aaton 35mm 2-Perf & 3-Perf motion picture camera User’s guide v1.31 (rev.4) Jan.
General overview Aaton 7 Front view Rear view Assistant’s side Assistant’s controls Assistant’s controls - detailed view Operator’s side Top view 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 Getting started 16 Power up the camera electronics Power up the VHR video assist Power down the camera electronics and video assist The «set» key TEST mode Adjusting the Aatonite (glow) Film camera status Warning messages Magazine footage adjustment Foot or meter setting Footage counting Manual footage counter
Aaton Camera body 23 2.1 Lenses 24 The PL lens port The PV lens port i/lenses compatibility 24 24 24 2.2 Viewing System 25 Eyepiece Attaching the finder extension Viewfinder tension adjustment Adjusting the viewing horizon Adjusting the diopter The eyepiece shutter Viewing screen Changing the viewing screen Adjusting the viewing screen 25 25 26 26 27 27 27 28 28 2.3 The variable shutter 29 Concept Adjusting the shutter 29 29 2.
Aaton 2.5 Camera power 31 Installing batteries Charging the batteries Other power sources 31 32 32 2.6 Motors 33 Film frame-rate Using external speed control 33 34 2.
Aaton Footage Mode Software Version Lens Data Video-assist proxies Firmware Install 42 43 43 43 44 2.8 Operator’s side settings 45 2.9 Cold weather tips 46 Magazine 47 3.1 Concept 48 3.2 Pressure plate system 48 Claw rear pressure plate Picture rear pressure plate 48 48 3.
Aaton Video assist 55 4.1 Image look (Video menu) 56 • • • • • 57 57 57 57 57 Gain Color temp. Color saturation Color bars Color/B&W out (Output). 4.2 Frame & mask 58 4.3 Proxy capture 59 4.4 Metadata insert 60 • • • • • • 60 60 60 60 61 61 AatonCode Battery voltage VITC line & parity Lens Data Film status Software/hardware 4.
General overview
1 2 10 3 4 5 9 8 7 6 Front view 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Aaton Short eyepiece Horizon setting knob Friction adjusting ring Fischer-2 connector PL mount locking ring LEMO-2 connector Rosette Video (VHR) ND knob Video housing Top rod holder (Extension eyepiece to be ordered separately) To adjust the image horizon To adjust the tension of the eyepiece swivel Eyepiece heating cable connector Lock ring for 35mm PL mounted lenses Run/Stop connector For accessories compatible with ARRI rosettes To adjust the v
1 2 8 3 7 4 5 6 Rear view 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Aaton Upper battery locking screw LEMO-6 socket (x2) USB socket A4 LEMO-8 socket Magazine release lever LEMO-5 socket Gate Run/Stop switch Magazine locking lever Fastens the upper onboard battery Provides +Batt, Start and Ground for accessories Connects to a USB key Provides 12V, Start, Sync pulse and ground for accessories Used to release the magazine from the camera body Timecode communication Removable gate, 2-Perf or 3-Perf Runs/stops the film Secures
1 11 10 2 3 9 8 4 7 6 5 Assistant’s side 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Aaton Upper battery locking screw Run/Standby switch Fischer-4 socket Jog wheel Pitch control Video (VHR) ND knob BNC connectors (x2) Magazine release lever LEMO-8 socket Lower battery locking screw LEMO-6 socket (x2) Fastens the upper onboard battery Runs and stops the film shooting Provides power and composite video signal for MiniMonitors Modifies camera parameter settings Adjusts the claw pulldown stroke Adjusts the video light
1 12 2 11 3 10 4 9 8 5 7 6 Assistant’s controls 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aaton Fischer-4 socket Jog wheel LCD screen Setting keys Ethernet RJ45 connector BNC sockets LEMO-8 socket A4 Lower battery locking screw Ethernet cable locking lever LEMO-6 socket (x2) Run/Stop switch Upper battery locking screw Provides power and composite video signal for MiniMonitors (IVS compatible) Camera parameters settings Displays camera and video parameters Allows access to camera and video operating menu Compute
1 4 2 3 5 6 11 7 12 8 13 9 14 10 15 Assistant’s controls - detailed view 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Aaton «up» key «left» key «down» key «right» key «exit» key «set» key «vid» key «sto» key «tc» key «on-off» key «tech» key «sync» key «var» key «iso» key «mag» key scroll video assist and film camera setups (direct access to video assist’s gain) scroll video and camera setups (direct access to shutter phasing) scroll video and camera setups (direct access to video assist’s gain) scroll vi
1 2 3 9 4 8 7 6 5 Operator’s side 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Aaton Magazine door locking lever Magazine footage counter Magazine door locking lever Take-up spool inching knob Lower display key Operator’s LCD display Middle display key Upper display key Run/Stop switch Locks/unlocks magazine door Manually checks magazine footage Locks/unlocks magazine door Adjusts loop size while loading the magazine Modifies camera parameters Displays camera speed and magazine footage Modifies camera parameters Modifies camer
LCD display - Assistant’s side LCD display - Operator’s side 1 2 10 9 8 7 6 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Aaton 1 2 3 3 4 L (mag upper lever) and G (gate) flags Selected speed Magazine footage Remaining time (minutes and seconds) Time code Film ISO Video assist white balance Video assist gain Lower battery meter Upper battery meter Symbols blink - error (magazine upper lock or gate) Sync/Var./Ext.
1 7 2 3 4 6 5 Top view 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Aaton 3/8” inserts «Sh» tool «Pitch» tool Magazine’s upper lock Collimation cap Viewfinder friction screw Tape hook Socker for accessories Shutter angle adjustment tool Pulldown pitch adjustment tool Secures the magazine to the camera body Gives access to ground glass collimation adjustment Adjusts the viewfinder up-down freedom of movement Holds the gate to subject measurement tape General overview 15
1 Getting started
Power up the camera electronics To turn ON the camera electronics, press the «on/off» key. Power up the VHR video assist To turn ON the video assist, press the «set» key and then the «on/off» key. Power down the camera electronics and video assist Press the «on/off» key, a window appears on the LCD screen. Hold the «on/off» key, a bargraph timer starts counting down. When finished, the screen displays Au revoir. The «set» key The «set» key gives access to the camera’s settings.
TEST mode The TEST mode lets you open the shutter and keep it protected inside the camera body. This is used to check the gate for cleanliness and to find the image while doing a steadiness test, this lets you find the correct film/perf position for the second film passage if you are using the double exposure method. A To access the TEST mode, press the «Run/Stop» switch (A) – located on both the Assistant’s and Operator’s sides — and hold it pressed for 3 to 4 seconds.
Film camera status The LCD screen color informs the camera crew about the shooting status from a distance. Light cyan The camera is in STANDBY. Orange The camera is in RUN, but has not yet reached the selected speed. Green The camera is in RUN at the selected speed. Purple The camera is at end of film Red A problem has been detected, e.g. film jam.
Warning messages When a problem has been detected, the LCD screen’s background turns red followed by an explanatory message. Gate position The camera gate is easily removable to allow switching between 2-Perf and 3-Perf formats. The correct positioning of the gate is mandatory for proper camera functioning and focused pictures.
Magazine footage adjustment An embeded RFID chip identifies each magazine. It enables associating a letter (A - J) with each magazine, allowing the film speed and remaining footage to follow each magazine. Press the «set» key and the «iso» key to enter the ISO menu, then press the «left» or «right» key to select the desired letter. Press the «set» key, then the «mag» key to access the MAG menu. If a full 400ft roll has been loaded, press the «mag» key two times to adjust the footage to 400ft (122m).
A B C A D E F G H Manual footage counter 4 4 Measure the remaining footage by rotating the mechanical footage indicator (located on the door) counterclockwise. 3 3 2 2 Video assist direct access 1 1 Video gain H G B A The video assist gain is directly accessible through the control panel. Press the «up» or «down» key to change the video gain. Wait for 3 seconds or press the «set» key to validate. The adjustment range is -10dB to +12dB, in 1dB steps.
2 Camera body
2.1 Lenses Flange focal distance. The PL lens port Refers to the critical distance from the lens seat to the film plane. With the PL port, the precise FFD of Penelope is 52mm -30 to -40 microns as measured with a depth gauge in the lens port. With the PV port, the FFD is 57.15mm -45 to -55 microns The PL lens port is the standard mounting system delivered with Penelope and allows the use of all 35mm ARRI PL mounted lenses.
2.2 Viewing System Eyepiece Penelope viewfinder is designed to be fully orientable, providing left or right side viewing and upright image in any position. The viewfinder arm is equipped with an eyepiece that can be used for handheld and tripod operation. The eyepiece can be equipped with a heating system which receives its power from a cable connected to the Fisher-2 socket, located on the camera front body, above the lens mount.
Viewfinder tension adjustment The screw (B) at the base of the viewfinder, allows you to modify the viewfinder left/right lateral friction. Turn counterclockwise to increase the friction. Turning this screw until it reaches its stop, locks the viewfinder’s left/right movement. The friction adjusting knurled screw (C), located on the front of the viewfinder, can be used to adjust the tension of the eyepiece swivel, depending on the Operator’s preference and on the type of viewfinder being used.
Adjusting the diopter Before shooting, the diopter setting of the viewfinder should be adjusted to the Operator’s eye. To set the diopter, use the diopter set ring (E) located on the short eyepiece. Look through the viewfinder while rotating the diopter set ring until the edge of the viewing screen cross-hair is in sharp focus. It is recommended to performe this adjustment with the port cover off and no lens on the camera. Note that the diopter set ring is engraved with numbers and dots.
Changing the viewing screen The viewing screen can easily be removed by the user. First remove the port cap. Remove the battery (s) and clear the mirror shutter so that it is positioned safely inside the body by rotating it close to its center shaft with your finger. Look into the port and look at the screen directly above the aperture gate (G). Get a piece of Post-it, that will take-out the viewing screen without dirtying it. Put the Post-it on your forefinger, the sticky part of it facing up.
2.3 The variable shutter Always unplug the power Concept Each time you have to put a finger inside the camera body, you must remove the battery. If by mistake the camera starts running while your finger is touching the mirror shutter, the mechanism can be seriously damaged (and your finger too). The reflex mirror shutter diverts the lens rays to the viewing screen while the claw pulls the film down to the next unexposed film frame.
2.4 Film gate and pulldown claw Adjusting the pitch To adjust the pitch, use the Pitch tool located in the camera carrying handle. Remove the pitch protector cap (A) located Assistant’s side near the Pitch label. Insert the tool inside the opening. You will feel a screw that you will turn counterclockwise until it stops; the pulldown pitch is now at its maximum.
2.5 Camera power Penelope requires a minimum 12.4V power source. An Aaton 14.8V 4.2Ah Lithium-Ion onboard battery can run the camera for twenty 400’ magazines, i.e. three hours of 2-Perf shooting. When the video-assist is activated and power hungry accessories such as zoom focus and iris remote control, video transmitter and monitor are connected to the LEMO sockets, it is highly recommended to install an additional Lithium-Ion battery. When running AatonCode, you should never leave the camera unpowered.
Charging the batteries The Aaton Li-Ion batteries must be charged with the Aaton Cha-Li three-hour charger. If you can’t even tolerate the low noise level of its fan (around 30dBA at one meter), use a silent Aaton Chascot five-hour charger. Both chargers can simultaneously charge two batteries. Other power sources A variety of 14 to 16VDC sources can be used to power the camera: AC-DC power supplies, battery blocks, Lithium-Ion, and lead-acid car batteries.
2.6 Motors Three crystal controlled tri-phase motors are in use: one for the claw mechanism, one for the magazine drive, one for the shutter. Penelope is capable of speeds between 3 and 40fps with a standard Li-Ion 14.8V battery. Film frame-rate Penelope provides preset crystal speeds (SYNC) and Operator tuned crystal speeds (VAR) in .001 increments, all accessible from the LCD control panel. It should be noted that once set, the fame-rate thousandths are not displayed.
Using external speed control Penelope can be driven externally from devices such as film to video synchronisers and external speed controls. In these situations, the camera «var» selector must be set to EXT mode. If such a device is connected and the selector is not set to EXT, 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 ask for a speed higher than 40fps.
Basics: «sync», «var», «iso», «mag» The «set» key lets you enter the basic film camera settings, they are modified by either toggling the «up», «down», «left» or «right» key, or by rotating the jog. Press «set» to accept your choice, press «exit» to leave things unmodified. AatonCode initialization As a standard feature, Penelope is equipped with the AatonCode in-camera timecode recording. Timecode is exposed onto the film by optical projection of seven micro-diodes located in the gate.
• The «a» flag indicates that the timecode has been initialized using the Aaton OriginC+ master clock through ASCII communication. • The «s» flag indicates that the timecode has been jammed from the internal system time of the camera. • The «o» flag indicates that the timecode has been manually entered by the operator. • The «b» flag indicates that the timecode has been memorized during a short power down.
ISO setting When using AatonCode in Penelope, the ISO setting must be adjusted to the exposure index of the film stock. The ISO selection insures that the matrixes recorded on the edge of the film are correctly exposed. This ISO value is stored for each RFID magazine, identified by a letter from A to J. If AatonCode is not running in the camera, the ISO setting has no effect. Press the «set» key and then the «iso» key to enter the ISO Menu.
EXT speed For the film camera to be driven from an external source such as external speed control generating 100ppfp (pulses per film pict), press the «set» key, then the «var» key. Press the «var» key once again to switch from VAR to EXT SPEED. Press the «set» key to validate your selection. EXT SYNC speed To synchronize the camera to the scanning rate of a computer or video monitor while removing the roll bar, press the «set» key then «tech» to open the Technical Menu.
Low battery alert If Batt.1 or Batt.2 reaches the minimum preset level, e.g. Batt Alert = 14.4V, an alert appears on both LCD screens and a red LED blinks in the camera viewfinder. The camera continues to run properly and LOW BATT is displayed in front of the battery icon. If both batteries are low, the alert is displayed on both the Assistant’s and Operator’s screens.
LEMO start mode Two Run/Stop modes are available for accessories using Penelope’s LEMO connectors. • IMPULSION for accessories using a pulse signal. • PERMANENT for the Aaton wooden handgrip, and ON/OFF switches and cable made for the 35-III, Xtera, XTR-prod cameras. Select the LEMO Mode item and press the «right» key. Select the mode by rotating the «jog» wheel, or by pressing the «up» or «down» key. Press «set» to validate your selection.
System Time To manually set the internal camera timecode, press the «set» key then the «tech» key to open the technical menu. Select the Sys Time item and press the «right» key to access. The display will show the camera date and time. Use the «left» or «right» key to select the following parameters: year, month, day, hour, minute, seconds. And use the «up» or «down» key to modify each one of them. Press the «set» key to validate your selection.
Display contrast adjustment To adjust the LCD contrast, select the Contrast item and press the «right» key to access it. Select Main LCD Contrast by rotating the «jog» wheel, or by pressing the «up» or «down» key. Press the «right» key to access the Operator’s LCD and follow the same procedure. Press the «set» key to validate your selection.
Software Version For troubleshooting, access to internal camera technical information might be useful before contacting your service center. Select the Version item and press the «right» key to display it (read only). Lens Data To display on both the camera sceen and the video assist monitor the data coming from a Cooke/i lens installed on the camera port, select the Lens Data item and press the «right» key to access it. With the «right» key, select Rx ON or Rx OFF. Press «set» to validate your selection.
Firmware Install To update the firmware, copy the new Penelope_Vx.xx.flb file onto a USB key (FAT32 formatted), and plug the key into the USB socket. Power-up the camera electronics with the «on/off» key. When the USB key is recognized, a disk icon appears on the main screen. Select the LoadSoft item and press the «right» key to access it. Select the version by pressing the «left» or «right» key, and wait for 2 seconds to see the complete version names scrolling. Press «set» to validate.
2.8 Operator’s side settings Three keys, close to the vertical LCD screen, are located on the Operator’s side: «lower» (1), «middle» (2), «upper» (3). • Press the «middle» or «upper» key to adjust the AatoNite frame brightness, see Chapter 1. • Press the «lower» and «middle» keys to select the SPEED item, press the «lower» key to make it blink, you can now modify the SYNC and VAR film running speed. Press the «middle» or «upper» key to modify the speed value. Press the «lower» key to validate.
2.9 Cold weather tips From Rune Ericson, based on his experience in filming in Greenland. • When filming outdoors in extreme cold, the camera and lenses should not be taken indoors at all, so as to avoid condensation on the electronic parts and glass surfaces. In any case, the camera (and lenses) should not be stored above 0°C. If the camera must be taken inside, then it should be put in a hermetically sealed container.
3 Magazine
3.1 Concept The Penelope magazine is designed to be quickly installed or removed, and to be loaded easily, it handles up to 400ft (122m) loads of 35mm film stock. The magazine sprockets are driven through a magnetic clutch by a motor located in the camera body itself. This system reduces noise and power consumption, and prevents mechanical abuse in case of misloading. The feed roll footage can be checked through a mechanical footage counter located on the magazine door.
B A B C D E F 4 4 3 The magazine design allows for a quick and easy loading procedure and reduces the number of operations to be performed in the changing bag, to the absolute minimum. G H 3.3 Loading the film in 17 steps 3 A 2 2 1 1 In the light H G B A 1 Place the magazine in front of you, throat on the left. 2 Turn the mechanical footage counter (A) clockwise until it locks in place. 3 Unfasten the three blue locking levers (B), turning them counterclockwise. 4 Open the door.
In the dark 7 Remove the film from its can and bag. Place the film on the feed spindle with its winds clockwise. DON’T FORGET to press the center of the core lock mechanism to lock the core in place (A). 8 Push the film head into the center slot (B), until it engages the inner sprocket wheel.
Still in the dark 9 Guide the film with your left forefinger and turn the take-up core holder clockwise, making sure the film perforations engage the sprocket teeth. 10 When the film comes out of the sprocket assembly, gently pull on it. 11 Pull approximately 20 cm (8 inches) of film and insert it in the bottom slot until it meets the lower sprocket teeth.
Still in the dark 12 Guide the film with your left thumb (A) and forefinger and turn the takeup core holder clockwise until the film exits on the other side of the sprocket assembly (B). Continue to turn the take-up core holder until the film reaches the bottom roller (C). A B 13 Place a core on the take-up side spindle, press the center of the core holder to lock the core in place. Fit the film end into the plastic take-up core and wind on a few turns clockwise with the emulsion in. 14 Close the door.
In the light again 15 Engage the take-up clutch knob by pulling its lever up. 16 Push the loop adjusting sprocket release button and hold it pressed. Turn the take-up clutch knob clockwise (while gently pressing on it) to shorten the loop size until the loop adjustment tool is held between the film and the pressure plate. NOTE: the loop adjustment tool makes a loop corresponding to approximately 37 visible perforations.
Installing the magazine To install the magazine, stay at the rear of the camera body, Operator’s side. Place your right hand underneath the magazine while your left hand is firmly holding it at the midway point of its rear. Rest the nose of the magazine on the camera base, hold the camera body with your left hand while pushing the mag in the bottom dovetail and into the aperture area with your right hand. Make sure that the top of the nose of the mag is parallel to the camera as you guide the mag in place.
4 Video assist
To power up the VHR video assist, press the «set» key then the «on/off» key once the film camera electronics have been powered up. To display the VHR Menu (Main menu) on the video monitor screen, press the «set» key then the «vid» key. A message is displayed on the Assistant’s control screen (see pict. top right). The 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 VHR Menu contains five items Image look (Video menu) Frame & mask (Frame menu) Proxy capture (Vid.
• Gain Use the «up» or «down» key to modify its value. It can also be modified by using the direct access shortcut (see p. ). • Color temp. - Tungsten or Daylight. Selecting one or the other makes [3200K] or [5600K] appear in the CT field of the Assitant’s control screen. - Manual white This is directly activated by pressing the «set» then the «right» key. To perform a manual white balance, put a piece of white paper in front of the taking lens.
4.2 Frame & mask Opens access to • Activation • Templates • Top left corner • Bottom right corner • Frame color • Frame move • Mask appearance • Activation Select ON to open access to four ‘frame & mask’ templates and to activate their insertion. • Templates Four different templates store the rectangular frame and associated mask to be inserted in the video assist image. Press the «right» key to select one of the four templates.
• Frame color Change the color of the rectangular frame. Play with the RGB values then press «exit». • Frame move Lets you move the whole frame in the picture without affecting its size nor ratio. NOTE: a frame can be set to match the viewing screen markings but it can also be used to outline an object in the picture during a product shot. • Mask appearence A transparent mask can be added outside the rectangular frame. You can change its color and its transparency percentage. 4.
4.4 Metadata insert Metadata insertion can be moved anywhere in the picture with the «up» «down» «left» and «right» keys. • AatonCode • Battery voltage • VITC line & parity • Lens Data • Film status • Software/hardware • AatonCode Time, Date, Camera ID. The positionning of these three ‘words’ currently is directly accessible from the VHR Menu (Main Menu). • Battery voltage The higher of the two batteries voltage is displayed.
• Film status Film speed (in fps), and remaining or elapsed magazine footage (in foot or meter). The shooting status appears as RUN in green characters, or as STOP in red. Its positionning is factory set and can’t be moved away from the center bottom of the video assist monitor. • Software/hardware The video assist software version and the hardware model is displayed on the Assitant’s control screen as well as on the video monitor screen. 4.5 Logos Logos can be inserted anywhere in the video picture.
5 Technical drawings
Type Functions Diagram Pin description (from user’s side) 2 LEMO-2 On/Off 1 Ground 2 Start 1 2 Fischer-2 Heating cable 1 Ground 2 + Batt. 1 1 LEMO-5 Timecode 5 2 3 1 LEMO-6 Power Ground SMPaTE In ASCII In/out NC NC 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ground NC NC + Batt.
Type Functions Fischer-4 Video output Diagram 2 1 3 4 2 LEMO-8 Speed Controllers 3 4 XLR-4 Power In 1 3 4 5 Pin descriptions (from user’s side) 8 7 6 2 1 1 2 3 4 Ground Video ground Video output + Batt. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ground One pulse per frame ASCII In/Out + Batt. Tach. out Start Tach. in Ground 1 2 3 4 Ground Start * + Batt. + Batt.
2-Perf S35 centered Penelope 2 Perf AATON Penelope 2 Perf AATON Ref : 33-230-20 Penelope 2 Perf AATON Ref : 33-230-21 Ref : 33-230-22 1.85 1.78 Full gate, 1.78. Penelope 2 Perf AATON Ref : 33-230-23 2.35 Full gate, 1.85. Penelope 2 Perf AATON Ref : 33-230-24 2.35 + 1.78 HDTV Full gate, 2.35. 2.35 + 1.78 HDTV Full gate, 2.35 (1.78 markers). Full gate, 2.35 (1.78 markers), darker surround. Penelope 2 Perf AATON Ref : 33-230-30 • The Aatonite frame is in red • 1.78 = 16/9 ratio. 2.
