Which 16mm package to buy ?

[Dominik Muench]

Hi,

 

what do you guys think of this company and the offered package ?:

http://www.seriousgear.com/viewProductsByC...Used%20Products

 

i sent them two emails over the last 8 weeks but never got an answer.

anyone shot with the aaton LTR before and can tell me how good this camera is ?

 

what do you guys suggest if you could choose between an aaton ltr and a sr 2 ?

 

thanks for the help.

[Rik Andino]

Hi,

I sent them two emails over the last 8 weeks but never got an answer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That's not a good sign.

Supposedly Serious Gear is a decent camera dealership...

They probably don't have any cameras packages in stock...

Or they only respond to folk who call on the phone...who knows... :huh:

 

Anyways I've shot with an Aaton LTR--Heck I own an LTR-X

(I was even considering purchasing one from Serious Gear)

 

Anyways they're pretty good I consider--just like the XTR and the Prod.

Just with less features but everything is pretty much the same.

 

Like with all cameras make sure you get it serviced. {Very Important}

 

Anyways as to your second question:

If you could choose between an Aaton LTR and an Arri SR2?

 

This spring the age-old debate which is the better S16 camera.

 

First of all I'd make it an LTR-54 or XTR vs the SR2 (that be more fair)

 

Now the most important issue you're going to come into is cost.

An Arri SR2 will cost a bit more than an Aaton LTR-54.

Let's say a few thousand American dollars more.

 

Now most people think (including myself) the Arri SR2 is a great camera.

It's much more popular than the Aatons

And it's got more repair service support than the Aaton cameras

You can go almost anywhere in the world and someon knows how to fix an Arri SR.

It's got one of the best viewfinder systems of any 16mm camera

Almost every AC knows how to load it and use it

Most Arri products work with the SR2

Late model SR2 are equipped with some form of ArriCode, a burn-in timecode

(Although many Aaton XTR have the similar AatonCode)

There are a few details I'm leaving out

But the SR2 is an excellent S16mm camera

 

But the Aaton's got a couple of nice tricks up it's sleeves...

For one thing it's a helluvalot easier to handhold (it's built for handholding)

It's S16 already and it's R16 switchable so you can switch between the two

It's got a better video-assist system than the the Arri SR2

It's got better magazines that are easier to load than the SR2

The Aaton mount is better than the Arri B mount--

It can use more adapters...giving it wider range to different lens

There a few minor details I'm leaving out

But the Aaton LTR-54 is an excellent S16mm camera

 

So to answer your question both are good choices...

It'll just depend on what features you're looking for and how much money.

 

Anyways

Good Luck

[Dominik Muench]

thanks :) thats about everything i wanted to know, i think financially i am looking at an aaton anyway and the package pretty much includes what i want. i just hope they get one in soon.

[pigdog]

Greetings!

I saw your enquiry about the LTR54 for USD9500.00 pretty decent package, a super16 is definitely the way to go. but i think you will need more batteries, also you should ask the seller what type of batteries are in the package as the ltr 54 can use 12v 1.8amp or the 16v if you wish to run up to 54fps, the former can only run up to 32. I own a converted ltr54 , meaning i had it convrted to s16 2 years ago and this camera has served me well, my only gripe is the battery, i am using nicads and the current ones are 1.8 amps from abel cine. nicads as a rule have "memory" issues, the newer aaton batteries are NiMH types which run longer and lighter and has no :memory issues. the package you saw comes with a tube video, and it looks like the original one that came with aaton, this is not a very efficient model and you can get newer more efficient ones, nonetheless it is still a good buy, just make sure you get a warranty from the seller. good luck!

ctr

[pigdog]

Greetings Dmuench,

i noticed you are from australia, the good news is LeMack of sydney and melbourne are aaton dealers and service centers, i am based in Hong kong and it is a lot more practical for me to ship my aaton to sydney for routine maintenance, they also recell batteries and i find them a lot more affordable than the US

 

ctr

[Dominik Muench]

pigdog: thanks for the info about the batteries, yes lemac is just around the corner from me.

i just saw on mandy.com that someone from brisbane is selling such a aaton cam package, i contacted him but didnt get a reply back yet.