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

• 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

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)

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