For people who love their cameras a sad day.

It seems that Aaton has run into financial difficulties and has gone into what seems to be the French version of receivership. This means that the company is open to purchase by another owner. This has happened in the past to Aaton, so perhaps a buyer will find Aaton attractive. Apart from cameras, they also make high end audio gear.

Recours à la procédure de redressement judiciaire pour Aaton - Afcinema (http://www.afcinema.com/Recours-a-la-procedure-de-redressement-judiciaire-pour-Aaton.html?lang=fr#.UXujThGCLAU.twitter)

Have Aaton Have Gone Out of Business: : Cinescopophilia (http://cinescopophilia.com/have-aaton-have-gone-out-of-business/)

Apparently quality issues with the production sensors meant that the ordered cameras couldn't be delivered.

Wow, there goes a legend in film production.

But can it be that big of a surprise? They haven't fielded anything to counter the Alexa, not to mention RED, Sony's offerings, Canon, even Black Magic. The Delta hasn't gone anywhere.

Another indication that film is dying as an acquisition medium.

It can be reborn with an investor, but would you want to throw millions into Aaton right now?

I gather there have been sales of the camera, unfortunately, there seems to have been quality problems with the production sensor, which meant they couldn't deliver the cameras. You don't have to look too far to find another manufacturer who recently had a problem with their sensor supplier.

The competition for the Penelope Delta is the Alexa Studio. It's a high end piece of kit mostly for the rental market.

Aaton stopped manufacturing film cameras, since they have such a long working lives, the current cameras can keep working for many years. How long film lasts will depend on the film stock manufacturers, it's still being used on quite a few feature films.

Receivership can be a means by which investors can get control of a company at a much lower price. Who buys it would depend on the future plans of any purchasers and perhaps if the Penelope Delta fits into their product range. Aaton also manufactures audio equipment and holds a number of patents.

Here's a statement from Jean-Pierre Beauviala, CEO of Aaton.

Aaton turns to financial receivership - Afcinema (http://www.afcinema.com/Aaton-turns-to-financial-receivership.html?lang=fr)

I gather that in a statement Jean-Pierre Beauviala has said that Aaton is not closed, it'll be taken over by new owners, and they will be continuing on other developments. They're going to focus on the CantarX+ audio recorder and D-Minima documentary style reflex-viewfinder digital camera.

I suppose there's always possibility that the Penelope Delta might re-emerge if solutions can be found for the problems, it was rather left hanging in this statement and not seeming the first priority. .

The D-Minima is very interesting!