The Aaton-Cameras Smart Grip Handle is now available and it has started shipping.
We reported on the Aaton-Cameras smart grip handle back at IBC 2019. It has been a long time since we heard anything about it and I was starting to think that it would never come to market.
Everything old is new again
Aaton has given new life to their famous wooden handgrip which was first made for their film cameras in the early ’70s.
Numerous companies over the last 10 years have copied Aaton’s design and come up with their own wooden handgrips.
A bit of History
Aaton was founded by Eclair engineer Jean-Pierre Beauviala, whose efforts have been primarily focused on making quiet, portable motion picture hardware suitable for impromptu field use, such as for documentaries. A model for all motion picture cameras they have produced is the “cat-on-the-shoulder”, a small, light, quiet motion picture camera.
In the late 60’s Beauviala was working as a professor of electronics in the University of Grenoble. With the project to make a movie about the evolution of the city and of its architecture, but unable to find the proper tools, Beauviala decided to create the camera himself. Though the movie would eventually be abandoned this led to the creation of Aaton in 1971.
The Aaton wooden grip was first made by a craftsman who was carving smoking pipes!
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
Shipping version 
The prototype at IBC 2019
The original Aaton wooden handgrip was so well made and ergonomically sound that all the french company has done is take the original design and add modern functionality.
Aaton has added a 6 position joystick, a scroll wheel and 3 function buttons to the handgrip. The grip will currently only work with work select RED cameras. A software update will allow control of the RED Komodo camera. ARRI and SONY support is also planned. Some cameras will simply require a different cable while others may need an accessory or auxiliary handle.
The grip doesn’t have any internal battery, instead, it gets powered via your camera. On an ARRI this will be done through the External port and on a RED through a Serial port.
Aaton was originally telling us that they would also be making a second grip that included integrate wireless focus control. Whether that is still going to happen is unclear.
Bluetooth App
The handgrip also has built-in Bluetooth functionality and by using a free App you can assign various functions to those buttons and then save them.
RED Control
The handle and the app are compatible with RED DSMC 1/2 cameras. The RED KOMODO and other cameras will be added soon.
The smart-handle can communicate with the FoolGrip App designed by Mikael Lubtchansky of FoolColor. This App is available for free on the APPLE AppStore.
The handle is supplied with a cable allowing it to be powered and connected to a RED DSMC 1/2 camera.
If you are using Canon EF mount lenses on your RED, buttons on the grip can be assigned to open and close iris and also to control focus steps. However, there is no dedicated focus wheel on the right version of the Aaton camera handle. Aaton is working on providing a solution in the future thru an auxiliary handle.
Here is what else you can control using the hand grip:
- Navigate (UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, ENTER) using the joystick, call or hide MENU and select CLOCKWISE and COUNTER-CLOCKWISE via the top switch ’s center plus up and down directions.
- The 3 front buttons can be set to start record and trigger your favorite tools
Price & Availability
The new Aaton wooden grip was initially going to be available in either wood or carbon fibre, however, it looks like they have chosen to stick with wood.
Price
The Aaton-Cameras Smart Grip Handle is now shipping for €990,00.
