For reference use on many Chinon
manual focus and metering cameras

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Chinon CS - meaning Chinon S cr ew thread

FEATURE IDENTIFICATION CHART
 

IMPORTANT!

BASIC STEPS IN PHOTOGRAPHING

(1) Insert CdS battery with plus (+) side up (Fig. 3). (see my page on mercury battery replacements at www.butkus.org/chinon)

 (2) Load 35 mm film in 20 or 36 exposure cassette (Fig. 4).
 
 

(3) Set ASA (or DIN) speed dial in accordance with the film speed specified on the film box (Fig. 5)

(4) Set either the shutter speed or lens opening according to your photographic need (Fig. 6).

(5) Focus the lens (Fig. 7).

(6) Release the shutter (Fig. 7).
 
 

LOADING THE CAMERA

Use 35 mm film in 20 or 36 exposure cassette. It is recommended to load and unload camera in subdued light, e.g. shadow of your own body and not in direct sunlight.

(1) Pull up film rewind knob until camera-back pops open. Swing open camera-back (Fig. 8).

(2) While rewind knob is still fully pulled up insert film cassette into chamber with protruding end toward bottom of camera. Press in film rewind knob. If it does not go in all the way, turn it until it does.
 
 

3) Insert end of film into slot in take-up spool and engage perforation of film with tooth in spool slot. Place thumb lightly over film on bottom sprocket wheel and operate film advance lever until upper sprocket wheel engages film perforations. When advance lever stops, free it by depressing shutter release on top of camera. Make sure that film lies flat between guide rails (Fig, 9) Close camera back firmly.

4) Operate film advance lever, depressing shutter release until figure " 1 " is lined up in the exposure counter window, In this position the camera is ready for the first exposure to be made (Fig. 10).

SETTING FILM SPEED (ASA/DIN)

The ASA (or DIN) speed of the film is specified on the film box or in the instruction sheet packed with the film.

Pull up and rotate the outer rim of the shutter dial until desired ASA (DIN) number of the film shutter speed dial
(Fig. 11).

Also rotate film type indicator dial so that the film type inserted shows to its pointer (Fig. 12).
This will remind you of the type of film you are using.

Some ASA (DIN) numbers are represented by a dot only. The chart below specifies the ASA (DIN) numbers.

CORRECT EXPOSURES

Correct exposure can be made by setting F stops on the lens and correct combination of shutter speed. As the CHINON CS camera has a built-in through-the-lens CdS exposure meter, you can take correctly exposed photographs.

(1) See the subject through viewfinder. Press down the exposure meter switch (Fig. 13).



Depending upon the subject, rotate either shutter speed dial or F stop ring until the exposure indicator needle in the viewfinder comes to the complete horizontal position (Fig. 14).

If the needle is above the horizontal position, it is overexposed (Fig. 15). Change the shutter speed to a faster speed or use a smaller lens opening so that the correct exposure combination can be   obtained. If the, needle is below the horizontal, it is under exposed so that a slower shutter speed or bigger lens opening must be set.
Fig. 16

(2) When an ASA setting is used in conjunction with speeds and/or apertures which are beyond the range of the TTL meter, a red signal will appear in the exposure zone of the viewfinder (Fig. 17). When the red signal appears it indicates that a flash unit should be used to supplement existing light.

Release the exposure meter switch and slide AUTO/MANUAL control on the lens to Auto position (Fig. 18).

Turn the distance ring first in one direction, then in the opposite direction until microprism disc in the center of the image in the viewfinder is sharp (Fig. 19). Picture is now focused. The distance scale may also be used for focusing. Estimate or measure the camera to-subject distance in feet or in meters, then turn the focusing ring. So the figure representing that distance is opposite the index line.
 

RELEASING THE SHUTTER
Hold the camera as steady as possible and press the shutter release slowly and smoothly. When using slower speeds ranging from 1/30 to 1 second and "B" (bulb) in poorly lit areas., use a tripod or other firm support to prevent blurring the picture.

.

SETTING THE SHUTTER
The length of time for the film to be exposed, to light can be adjusted by shutter speed setting. "60" (1/60-second) is recommended for subjects not in motion.

It is recommended to use shutter speeds ranging from 1/125 to 1/1000 for subjects in motion. 1/1000 second speed will best "freeze" fast action.

The " B" setting can be used for long exposures at night, using street lights or electric signs, or under poor light conditions when flash unit is not used.

UNLOADING THE CAMERA

When the red figure "20" or "36" (corresponding to 20- and 36-exposure film) appears in the exposure counter window lined up to the index mark, the end of the film has been reached.

Take the following steps for rewinding film into cassette:
  (1) Unfold crank on rewind knob (Fig. 20).

(2)  Press in all the way rewind release button.

(3 Turn rewind crank lever clockwise. Tension is felt as the film is rewound from the take-up spool into the cassette. Stop rewinding when tension is released. Open camera back (by pulling out rewind knob all the ways and remove the film.

Have film processed without delay.

DEPTH OF FIELD

A zone of the picture in front of and behind your subject will also be sharp. The depth of this zone depends on the aperture selected. If you wish to know how much of an area will be sharp in the final picture, it can be predetermined in two ways:

(A) Depth of Field Previewer

Slide the AUTO/MANUAL aperture opening switch to "M" (Manual) position. Set the lens to the selected aperture opening of the F stop ring. This will enable you to preview the area of sharpness in the picture before taking.

(B) Depth of Field Scale (Fig. 22)

After setting the lens opening and having focused on your subject, the area of sharpness in front of and behind your subject can be determined on the Depth of Field Scale. Locate on the Depth of Field Scale the same two F numbers corresponding to stop you have set on the F stop ring. The distance between these two F numbers on the focusing scale will be the area of sharpness in your picture.

SELF TIMER

The self timer permits the photographer to get into the picture. Place camera on tripod or other firm support (tripod socket is on bottom of camera). Get camera ready for exposure as usual. Push down self-timer lever (Fig. 23).

Depress shutter release to start self-timer. Exposure will be made approximately 8 seconds after the release has been pressed.

FLASH PICTURES

Most types of flash bulbs and also electronic flash can be used for flash pictures.

When using flash bulb No. 5, 5B, 25, 25B, M5, M5B, M2, M2B, AG1, 6, 6B, 8, connect flash cord to flash socket "M". When using  . electronic flash or SM flash bulb, connect the flash cord to flash socket "X" (Fig. 24).

The use of Nos. 5, 5B, M5 and M5B flash bulbs as well as electronic flash. Nos. 6, 6B, 8 flash bulb is recommended for shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/125 sec.

The use of Nos. M2, M2B, AG1, AG1B, SM flash bulbs is recommended for shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/60 sec. Cordless flash units are slipped into the accessory shoe on the top of the camera. The accessory shoe may also be utilized for a flash unit having a synchro cord.

CHANGING THE LENS

A 55 mm lens is the proper focal length for general purpose picture taking. Any Chinon telephoto and wide angle lens or Pentax, Prinz flex or Sigma lens mount can be used. To remove the lens, push up the exposure switch on the camera body, holding it in one hand and grip the lens with the other, turning counter clockwise until it is removed.

To replace the lens, turn clockwise until secured in position finger tight.

IMPORTANT NOTE

When installing or removing the 55 mm F/1.2 Chinon lens, the exposure switch must be in " OFF " position (Fully up) or the focus ring must be turned to a distance setting of less than 0.9 M (3 feet) to avoid damage to the rear lens element.

CAMERA CARE

The CHINON Single Lens Reflex Camera is a precision instrument. Used with care, it will provide years of service.

Protect the camera from dirt, rain, dampness, and excessive heat. Avoid touching the lens. To clean lens, breathe on it, then wipe it gently with a soft, lintless cloth or tissue. Do not use eyeglass tissues as they might damage the lens coating.

It anything goes wrong, do not try to repair it. Take it to a dealer or send it to the nearest CHINON distributor.

Interchangeable Lenses

28mm F 2.8 AUTO

100mm F 2.8 AUTO

135mm F 2.8 AUTO

200mm F 3.5 AUTO

300mm F 4.5 AUTO

500mm F 8 (Mirror)

Accessories stories

Auto Extension rings

Mini Copy stand

Table tripod

Angle finder

Bellows

outer eyepiece

Rubber lens hood (52mm)

Rubber lens hood (55mm)

Wrist strap

Filter (52mm) IA, UV Y2 ND4,PL

Filter (55mm) IA, UV Y2 ND4,PL

Cable release (20 inch)

Cable release (13 inch)

Eyepiece adapter - 2.5 Dioptor

Eyepiece adapter +.-1.0 Dioptor

Eyepiece adapter +3.0 Dioptor

Body cap

Lens mount cap