Aaton Penelope is a 35mm motion picture camera introduced by Aaton in October 2008. It is the first camera in the world designed as a switchable Techniscope or 3-perf shooting solution (2 perf-native and 3 perf user-switchable), and it is also the first 35mm camera to offer a progressive scan video-tap.[1] It accepts a digital magazine and therefore provides 4K digital output for true HD filming.[2]

The Aaton Penelope was used by Scott Duncan to shoot the TV show Celebrity Apprentice,[3] and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema has completed principal photography on The Fighter using Aaton Penelope cameras configured for 2-perf.[4]

Camera technical specifications

edit
  • Universal camera-body for 35mm 2-Perf.
  • 2-Perf-native camera, swappable to 3-Perf and back in approx. 30 minutes with the 3-Perf kit.
  • 22 dB noise level (±1 dB) in 2-Perf.
  • 23 dB noise level (±1 dB) in 3-Perf.
  • Weight: 8 kg with loaded 400' mag and 1 battery.
  • 3–40 frame/s, Synch & Variable speeds (0.001 increments)
  • Instant film-magazines, nine-minute autonomy at 24 frame/s in 35mm 2-Perf.
  • Ready for instant 'Digital-Mag' silicon sensor equipped.
  • Built to withstand extreme climates. (−10 °C to +40 °C)
  • Extremely bright optical viewfinder with generous peripheral coverage
  • Twin battery power supply: one for lightweight handheld shots; add the other for multi-accessory use.
  • Ready to print PDF 'Image Report' with JPEG snapshots, metadata and AatonCode via USB key.

Magazine

edit

Open magazine.

  • Instant 400' preloaded magazine.
  • 2/3 Perf.
  • Magnetic drive.
  • Semi automatic film loading
  • Easy loop length adjustment in daylight.
  • Delivered with nose protector.

Video-assist (Pal or NTSC)

edit

Heater connector.

  • Double resolution progressive scan SD video-assist.
  • Flicker free at all operating speeds
  • Internal Fameline generator – Multiple frame option
  • Auto White Balance
  • Adjustable RGB values – Color bar generator – Frame store
  • Timecode in windows and VITC
  • Mechanical Iris and video gain control

Notes

edit
  1. ^ AbelCine Review 2009
  2. ^ "Eyefish.tv Review". Archived from the original on 2009-12-28. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
  3. ^ Duncan: First Impressions of Penelope 2009
  4. ^ "Aaton Penelope 2Perf Feature, The Fighter, Wraps 2009". Archived from the original on 2009-11-24. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
edit