AAton XTR User Manual - 5.3 Viewing System

port ring completely free of dirt and de-

bris. Clean this surface, as well as the

threads of the lens lock ring using alcohol

or a multi-purpose cleaner applied to a Q-

tip.

5.2.3 Camera Gate

The gate should be cleaned of film particles by means of a pointed

wooden or plastic orange stick. The tool used should be of a soft

and pliable enough material (like wood) to conform to the grooved

side channels of the gate without breaking. Make sure to inspect and

clean the left and right channels, the frame of the aperture opening,

the lateral pressure plate, the tip of the claw and the timecode

LEDs. 

Afterwards, run your finger across the left and right rails of the gate,

if your hands are clean. The oil from your finger will provide just

enough lubricant for the film to pass these surfaces smoothly. Ins-

pect the gate; if the rails are still dirty or are carrying any debris (su-

ch as the adhesive from recanned rolls of film), with a Q-tip, use a

cleaning fluid that will do the job. Alcohol

and lens cleaner are safe to use on the sur-

face of the gate. Make sure the Q-tip does

not leave any cotton threads behind.

5.3 VIEWING SYSTEM

The following components of the viewing

system should be cleaned whenever dirt

particles are visible through the view- fin-

der. Use lens fluid applied with a cotton or

preferably a foam Q-tip for all areas.

By cleaning the viewing system in the or-

der described below, you will clean the

more dust-prone areas first, which may

help you track down most dirt particles

84

Cleaning the 

Mirror Shutter

Do not attempt to clean the

surface of the mirror shutter;

any small dust particles visible

from the lens port will not

come into focus in your view-

finder.  If large particles of dirt

must be removed, do so using

an air syringe. Never use can-

ned air on this surface.

If the mirror is in need of a

deeper cleaning, to remove

smudges or oil, take your

camera to a qualified techni-

cian to be cleaned.

Warning !

Remember, the camera gate is

a sensitive and high precision

area directly responsible for

the exact focus of the image;

be careful not to use hard,

damaging materials (like

metal) on the its surface.

Under no circumstances

should you perform any func-

tion within the aperture ope-

ning, lens port or near the

claw with power attached to

the camera.  Accidently run-

ning the camera while perfor-

ming such tasks can cause

serious damage to the shutter

and mechanism