Chinon S-300 flash unit

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CLICK HERE FOR A Chinon S-300
PDF VERSION OF THIS FILE

Description of Flash Unit Elements

Chinon S-300 flash

1. Light Sensor

  2. Battery Compartment Cover

  3. Synchro Cord Socket

  4, Lock Ring

  5. Mounting Foot

  6. F. Stop Indicator

  7. Distance Range Indicator

  8. Film Speed Selector

9. Ready Lamp

 

 

 10. Distance Selector

 11. Auto/Manual Selector

 12. On/Off Switch

13. Test Button

14. Synchro Cord

15. Wide Angle Diffusor


Inserting the Batteries

Remove the Battery Compartment Cover (if) and insert 4 AA size batteries according to the diagram inside. (Caution: Incorrect insertion of the batteries will prevent proper operation of the flashgun, and may cause damage.)

Chinon S-300 flash

Close the Battery Compartment Cover.

Attaching Your Flash to the Camera
Loosen the Lock Ring (4) . Insert the Mounting Foot (5) of your flash into the camera's accessory shoe clip. Tighten the flash with the Lock Ring.

Set the shutter speed of your camera to the proper setting for electronic flash use, or to 1/60 seconds. (Read your camera owner's manual for details on the flash synchronization.)

If your camera has a hot shoe contact, your flash is now fully synchronized with the camera through the center and off center contacts in the camera's shoe. In this case, the Synchro Cord is not necessary.

If the camera has no hot shoe contact, use the Synchro Cord Which comes with your flash unit.


 

Dedication System With CHINON Cameras

Used with Chinon CP-5, CE-5, CG-5, CE-4S or CE-4, the flash ready indicator in the viewfinder will glow signaling the camera and flash are ready to operate when the flash is fully charged and ready to fire.  Should a long time be needed for the viewfinder signal or flash ready light to become lit (over 30 seconds), new batteries will be needed soon.

Battery Operation

Slide On/Off Switch (12) to the "On" ("B" mark) position and then F. Stop Indicator and Distance Range Indicator will glow. In a few seconds the Ready Lamp (9) should glow, indicating the flash is ready to shoot.

Push the Test Button (A to make sure your flash unit works properly. If the flash discharges, then wait until the Ready Lamp glows again.

Manual Operation

Chinon S-300 flash
1. Set the Film Speed Selector 8 to the position of the film speed used.

2. Set the AUTO / MANUAL Selector (11) to "MANUAL" position.

3. Focus your camera and estimate (or check the lens setting) the distance from the flash to subject and set the distance by Distance Selectors (10).

4. Read the proper F. Stop from F. Stop Indicator 6 and set the F. Stop on your camera.

5. Aim your camera at the subject and take the picture when the Ready Lamp (9) glows.

 

Thyristor System Automatic

 

Operation

Chinon S-300 flash 

1. Set the Film Speed Selector (8) to the position of the fiIm speed used.

2. Set AUTO/MANUAL Selector (11) to 1, 2, or 3 position according to the flash range required, The distance range indicator (7) shows the maximum and minimum distances for the automatic range selected. Please refer to the table below for the three automatic flash ranges,

3. Set the aperture (F. Stop) of F. Stop Indicator A) on your camera.

4. Focus your camera and take the picture when the Ready Lamp (9) glows.


  F - Stop setting to set your lens at, no adjustment is needed if subject is within ranges below
Auto Switch Positon ASA 100 ASA 200 ASA 400 ASA 800 Auto flash ranges
  F - 8 F - 11 F- 16 F - 22 2.3 - 12 feet
  F - 5.6 F - 8 F - 11 F - 16 3.3 - 18 feet
  F - 2.8 F - 4 F - 5.6 F - 8 5 - 36 feet

Auto Shut-Off

Your flash is designed to automatically shut off the power supply to save the battery energy. When the unit is switched on, the F. Stop Indicator (6) and Distance Range Indicator (7) come on to indicate the start of charging. After some time, both indicators go off to indicate the power supply has shut-off and the charging stopped, if the unit is not operated. The Ready Lamp (9) stays on until the charged energy runs out. You can fire your unit as long as the Ready Lamp is on, and the unit, if fired, resets to the original state. A short push of the On/Off switch (Reset Button) (12) will also charge the unit again. (if neither the Ready Lamp nor the F. Stop Indicator come on after the On/Off switch is turned on, push the On/Off Switch to reset the flash unit.)

Bounce Photography
(this unit will not tilt or swivel, this is if you are able to have it off the camera with the flash sync cord attached)
Use bounce flash when you wish to achieve a softer effect and to eliminate the shadow on your subject. When taking flash pictures indoors, bounce the light off the white or reflective colored walls, ceiling or reflective flat surfaces.

For bounce photography, it is very important to remember that the automatic flash range should refer the total distance of flash to reflector to subject.

Hints for Maintenance and Better Flash Photography
 
Chinon S-300 flash

The use of flash eliminates squinting and shadows and help bring out natural facial expressions on the subject. When taking pictures, against highly reflective surfaces like mirrors, glass or glittering water, use automatic operation.

When not in use, switch the unit off. Take the batteries out when the flash unit is being stored or when it will be carried for a long time. Keep your flash unit away from dust and moisture to prolong its life.

Do not try to open or repair your flash unit since the electric circuit inside carries a high voltage. If your flash needs repair or does not work correctly, take it to where you bought it from. Opening the unit voids the warranty.

  

Wide Angle Diffuser
[Angle of Illumination: 28mm lens)

Your flash beam can be widened, lengthened or you can obtain a softer lighting effect on your subject with this wide angle diffuser.

Automatic Operation Range
 

ASA100/21DIN  Wide Angle Diffuser
Auto 1 (2.3-10ft)
Auto 2  (3.3-15ft)
Auto 3 (5.0-33ft)

Specifications
Specifications subject to change without notice
 

Guide Number
(ASA100/21DIN) 
30 (ASA100/21 DIN, m)
60 (ASA400/27DIN, m)
50 (ASA25/15DIN, ft)
98 (ASA100/21DIN, ft)
Automatic Operation
(ASA100/21DIN) 
Auto 1 -  f8:
0.7-3.8m (2.3 -12ft)
 Auto 2 - f5.6:
1.0-5.5m (3.3 -18ft)
Auto 3 - F2.8
1.5-11m (5.0 - 36ft)
Angle of Illumination 35mm lens
Power Source 4 AA size 1.5v batteries
Flash Duration Automatic 1/30,000-1/500 sec.
Manual 1/500 sec.
Recycling Time Auto 0.3-9 * sec.  ( * with alkaline batteries)
Number of Flashes 120 *
Dimensions  115X7ox68 mm
(4-1/2" x 2-5/8" x 2-1/2")
Weight w/o batteries  2259 (7.93 oz)
Standard Accessories  Synchro Cord, Wide Angle Diffuser (Angle of Illumination 28n m lens)