lomode for Aatons?

[RustyGeller]

What's the scoop on flying an Aaton LTR in lo-mode? If I attach a plate to the built-in handle, will it support the camera safely? I've flown 35 Aatons this way, but those belonged to Panavison and these belong to people who are my friends.

[RobVanGelder]

The camera was designed to carry with the handle, so I don´t see any problem doing that on a Steadicam.

Some people might argue that the handle is only attached by 4 little screws, but the camera is light and unless you have heavy forces operating on the camera (high speed accelleration/braking or severe up/down movements) you should be fine.

(as Steadicam operator you want to limit these forces anyway)

You can always attach a strap around the camera to the baseplate/steadicam top.

 

You will have more issues with the camera turning on the baseplate. The surface to mount the plate on is very little, only one screw and it easily slips.

But that can also happen on the bottom, only one screw hole and little surface as well.

 

That´s why I made an small plate where I could screw the existing hole AND have an U-shaped plate behind it to catch the "tail" of the handgrip.

 

Also, be careful with that little adjustment knob for the viewfinder, it is easy to crush it with the baseplate.

 

Rob van Gelder, Bangkok, Thailand

[markdeblok]

so it looks like you are on the 'don't be gentle it's a rental' side of the game.

Sorry, I hate this.

 

take care

 

mark de blok

[Howard J Smith]

Hi Rusty

 

The LTR, XTR and PROD are all fine from the handle - Like Rob said be careful of the viewfinder focus knob - but I find if you bolt into the handle is fine, then sometimes you may need to support the back to stop twisting - the last time I used 2 cable ties and this worked very well.

 

The Aaton flyes very well and is so light it allows you to get more post between the gimbal and the camera.

 

I have a Aaton Prod and I fly it this way - Unless it is in the AR.

 

I hope this helps

All the best

Howard

[RobVanGelder]

so it looks like you are on the 'don't be gentle it's a rental' side of the game.

Not at all Mark, I take great care in NOT damaging anything.

 

If a camera manufacturer makes a camera with a 3/4" screw in the handle than that handle SHOULD be rigid enough to support the camera safely in operating mode (with a lens and film), in the hand or bolted to whatever.

 

I will make an exception for this: when an extremely heavy zoomlens or telelens is mounted to that camera I will support it from the underside.

 

BUT: I have seen camera assistants and grips taking the camera AND Sachtlerhead together by the camera handle and replacing the lot, sometimes even with a low-bowl attached.

Nothing broke or came of, but that is definately not the right way to do it.

 

Rob van Gelder, Bangkok, Thailand

[Benjamin Treplin]

Hi all,

I?ve seen an SR3 + Zeiss Zoom + FF + 4x4 matt box MB16 just falling of the handle. If I recall it correctly the 4 screws in the handle are M2 and the threads are cut into the housing with no additional support.

[RustyGeller]

FYI, this is the reply I got from Aaton.:

 

Bonjour,

 

Yes you can. There is no problem attaching a low mode plate to the

16 handle.

 

What model of camera is it exactly ? XTR ?, XTR Prod ?

 

In case of a XTR, I would check that the four screws, holding the

viewfinder to the camera front housing, are screwed into four steel

inserts, instead of being screwed directly on the front housing cast

aluminum. The Prod has the four inserts, no need to check.

 

Best Regards

 

Pierre Michoud

Aaton service dept

[markdeblok]

  I've flown 35 Aatons this way, but those belonged to Panavison and these belong to people who are my friends.

Rob,

 

sorry for the misunderstanding, my reply was based on this quote, I think it's strange reason to start a topic.

 

 

Mark de Blok NSC