Aaton XTR or ARRI SRII + Sound sync

Shadrock · November 26, 2005

Hello,

Thanks to the great advice I've got on this site I purchased a Bolex REX 5 and I absolutely love it. Shot abunch of great fottage the last six months that I'm very happy with, soooooooo..... I'd like to step it up and shoot some Super 16 with sound sync options. The sound sync world is very new to me, so I'm wondering what I should look for and what my options are. I've heard that certain Arris are a bit noisy like the Arri S, but if anyone has thoughts info/thoughts on the Aaton XTR or ARRI SRII. Can you record audio while these are filming? I'm kind of clueless in this area :)

Nathan Milford · November 26, 2005

The Arri SR and Aaton cameras are pretty much comperable in many regards, if you compare SR's and Aatons from similar generations.

A well maintained camera of either make and model will be quiet (SR3 and XTRprod both publish that they're 20db), have fantastic registration and work reliably. They both have co-axial magazines that are both relativly easy to load (Aaton's are typically thought to be the easiest). Both the XTRprod and SR3 go up to 75fps. You can find comperable accessories for both cameras and for all intents and purposes they both take the same film and the same lenses...

What it really comes down to is operator preference. Some people just like Arri's and others just like Aatons (I'm one of those *grin*). The way it balances or feels in your hands, the way the handgrip feels or the type of start switch it has, or method of checking the footage or adjusting the shutter angle... Different strokes for different folks... You can get into really gritty details like gears vs drive belts, registration pins vs polished movement etc... but they both get ths job done.

All cameras have thier quirks and personality, even individual cameras to some extent, let alone a whole make and model. Your best bet is to go to a rental house and play with one.

- nathan

Shadrock · November 26, 2005

Thanks Nathan!

I'll definitely rent the AAton some time in the future, what do you think the cost to purchase a used one would be? Oh, checked your site and how do you feel about the A-minima, is it limited to smaller rolls?

Shad

Nathan Milford · November 26, 2005

Thanks Nathan!
I'll definitely rent the AAton some time in the future, what do you think the cost to purchase a used one would be? Oh, checked your site and how do you feel about the A-minima, is it limited to smaller rolls?

Shad

Well, there are different generations of Aatons with different capabilites, features and quirks... but they all have a similar form factor and load the same. You can get an Aaton LTR7 (from 1975) in S16 with some mags, lenses and accessories for under $10,000, but a brand new (i.e. from 2005), factory fresh XTRprod with Mags, Canon 7-63, and accessories can be under $100,000 for a fully loaded package... The body is like $50,000 on its own. Mind you, I'm not in sales and these aren't quotes... just very wild ball park figures.

The same pretty much goes for the ARRI cameras... an early SR (converted to S16) package can go for $10,000 and a brand new SR3 will go up to as much as you want to put into the package...

The A-Minima is very interesting camera. Loading is unconventional but easy to master after a few trys. It can go up to 50 fps, but also has a built in intervalometer. I think the camera is more for B-camera and specialist uses, but some DP's use it as thier A-camera. For most uses the 200' loads aren't a hinderance... but the camera wasn't made to compete with other cameras that carry 400' loads. If you need 400', 800' or 1000' loads use another camera... The A-Minima is just another tool in the box for getting the shot.

- nathan

December 2, 2005

If you are happy with your bolex, you can find a bolex super 16 ebm with chrystal on ebay for around 2200 get a few switar and ivar primes and a poe zoom for alltogether about 1500 + a mag or two for around 250 each

check out http://cgi.ebay.com/BOLEX-Super-16mm-EBM-M...1QQcmdZViewItem

jim bridges · December 7, 2005

I am currently an Aaton LTR 7 S16 owner and love the camera! I sold my Arri SR2 for it because modification for an SR is too expensive. Aatons have thier quirks, just get it check out you will not be disappointed by the camera.

Jim Bridges

dxfilms@hotmail.com

Atlanta, GA

Stephanie Zimmer · December 10, 2005

You can get an Aaton LTR7 (from 1975) in S16 with some mags, lenses and accessories for under $10,000, but a brand new (i.e. from 2005), factory fresh XTRprod with Mags, Canon 7-63, and accessories can be under $100,000 for a fully loaded package... The body is like $50,000 on its own.

Hey Nathan,

Since you seem to know a thing or two on Aatons, I was wondering if you might be able to check out this ebay auction for an XTR and tell me what you think it should go for. It seems like a great deal but I don't want to get in over my head. Thanks for your time.

Item number: 7569588860

Nathan Milford · December 10, 2005

Hey Nathan,
Since you seem to know a thing or two on Aatons, I was wondering if you might be able to check out this ebay auction for an XTR and tell me what you think it should go for. It seems like a great deal but I don't want to get in over my head. Thanks for your time.

Item number: 7569588860

Looks like a solid package. AbelCine don't have any technicians named David... but it might have been me, sometimes people confuse 'Nathan' as 'David' over the phone. I think I might remember shooting a reg test for a client in march...

I'm not near my records at the moment...