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| AKA -
The Agfa Selectronic 2 (SLR), it offered auto exposure metering. Agfa had the large red button added to their versions. |
Click here for Chinon CA-4 / 4s PDF
version of manual
- better printing
The only difference I can find between the two models is the CA-4 has
a electronic self-timer against
the manual one on the CA-4s.
|
3. Shutter release button/Exposure meter switch 4. Film advance lever 5. Shutter operation mode selector 6. Hot shoe 7. Film speed dial/Exposure compensation dial 8. Film rewind knob/Back cover opener 9. Self-timer lever 10. Lens lock release lever 11. Aperture ring 12. Depth of field scale 13. Focusing ring 14. Film chamber |
17. Take-up spool 15. Viewfinder eyepiece 16. Sprocket teeth 18. Film pressure plate 19. Film chamber cover 20. Rewind button 21. Film guide rail 22. Film rail 23. Tripod socket 24. Shutter 25. Battery compartment cover |
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: 35mm automatic SLR (Single Lens Reflex) compact camera with aperture priority exposure system (AE).
Picture Format: 24 x 36mm.
Lens Mount: Chinon Universal bayonet mount.
Mirror: Large, quick return, shockless system.
Shutter: Seiko MFC electromagnetic metal focal plane shutter,
stepless speeds from 1 to 1/1000 sec. on automatic,
"B",
"X" (X = 1/100 sec.), Automatic speeds electronically controlled.
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism, central split image
with microprism collar and ground glass,
10 LED's indicate
shutter speeds and over/under exposure.
Viewfinder Magnification: 0.87x
Viewfinder Visibility: 92%
Exposure Meter: TTL, center weighted full aperture system employing a silicon blue photo cell.
Exposure Compensation: Built-in +/- 1 EV in one third stop increments.
Exposure Range: EV+2 (F/1.9, [sec.) to EV +18 (F/16, 1/1000 sec..) - ASA 100 F/1.9 lens.
ASA Range: 25 - 3200 (DIN 15 - 36) with safety lock.
Film Advance: Single stroke in an arc of 130° with 25° stand off.
Film Counter: Automatically indicates number of exposures and resets to " S" when camera back is opened.
Film Rewind: Folding crank type.
Accessory Shoe: Hot shoe type with X sync. and contact for Chinon dedicated flash.
Synchronization: "X" strobe sync. at 1/100 sec.
Self-Timer: Built-in
Popover Source: Three 1.5V silver oxide G13 batteries (S-76 type).
Battery Test: Built-in with LED indicator. Meter ON/OFF Switch:
Meter switch is activated when shutter
release button is
pressed, meter remains on for several seconds after button is released.
Camera Back: Hinged, swing open type, detachable, memo holder provided.
Body Dimensions: 135.5 (W) x 86.0 (H) x 50.5 (D) mm. (5.33/t x 3.38" x 1.99")
Body Weight: 455 grams (16.0 oz.).
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the world of CHINON photography!
Your Chinon CA-4 /4s camera is
one of the most advanced 35mm SLR cameras incorporating features normally found
only in higher priced models.
This fantastic compact camera employs the latest
state-of-the-art electronics which will ensure carefree operation every time.
In order to take full advantage of the features of your CA-4/ 4s, please read
the instruction manual carefully so as to totally familiarize yourself with the
camera before actually starting to take pictures.
We thank you for choosing
CHINON quality products and we wish you years of satisfactions and enjoyment.
BASIC OPERATION - CA-4 / 4s
INSTALLING THE BATTERIES
1. By using a coin, unlock the battery compartment cover by turning it counterclockwise (Fig. 1).
2. Remove the battery holder which is attached with the cover. Then, place three 1.5V G-13 type silver oxide batteries (Eveready S-76 or equivalent) with the plus (+) side facing upwards (Fig. 2).
3. Replace the battery compartment cover by turning fully clockwise (Fig. 3).
Note: Clean the batteries with a dry cloth or tissue paper before inserting and thereafter every six months. × Make sure that the batteries are inserted correctly, i.e., check polarity. × The shutter speed indicator LED and the action lamp will operate only when batteries are correctly installed and fresh.
BATTERY TESTING
To test the batteries, set the shutter operation mode selector to the "AUTO "
position (Fig. 4). While looking at the shutter speed indicator scale in the viewfinder,
slightly depress the shutter release button. If the batteries are in good condition
(battery voltage is high enough), at least one of the indicator LEDs will light
up. If an LED fails to illuminate, the batteries are too weak and need to be replaced,
they are incorrectly inserted or the shutter operation mode selector is set to "
X " or "B "
FILM LOADING
1. Pull up the film rewind knob until the camera back pops open (Fig. 5). 2. Then, insert a film cartridge into the film chamber with the protruding end facing the bottom of the camera (Fig. 6).
3. Push in the film rewind knob and slightly turn the knob in either direction until it catches the film cartridge spool.
4. Insert the trimmed end of the film into a slot of the multi-slotted take-up spool.
5. Turn the shutter operation mode selector to the " X " position and advance
the film while holding the film lightly
down onto the
transport sprockets.
6. Release the shutter if necessary and advance the film until the sprockets
engage with the upper and lower perforation
of the film
(Fig. 7)
8. Turn the film rewind knob gently until the film slack is taken up and the rewind knob stops. Do not force or further rewind the film.
9. Advance the film and release the shutter three times ((Fig. 8).
The rewind knob should rotate counterclockwise
when the
film is advanced and the "l" marking should appear in the frame counter window
(Fig. 9).
10. Turn the shutter operation mode selector to the "AUTO" position and start to take pictures (Fig. 10).
Your Chinon CA-4s camera has a built-in memo holder feature. To utilize
the memo holder feature, simply cut off the top
of the film
box and insert it into the memo holder located on the back cover of your camera.
This will enable you to
quickly and easily identify the type
of the film and the ASA speed used in your camera (Fig. 11).
FRAME COUNTER
Your Chinon CA-4 /4s is equipped with a frame counter which displays the number
of exposures and resets automatically
upon opening the camera
back. When the camera back is opened, the counter shows " S " indicating the start
of the
picture taking process.
When film is loaded according to the procedure previously described, the counter
displays " 1 " indicating the camera
is ready for the first
exposure.
Every time the film advance lever is turned the counter will proceed one stop
forward. The number 24 and 36 are colored
in orange to warn
the end of commonly available films (Fig. 12).
The action lamp (LED) located on the front of the camera body will illuminate
while the shutter is activated. The subject
can easily observe
when the shutter is released.
FILM ADVANCEMENT
Make sure the film has been loaded properly. Operate the film advance lever through
a full stroke. When the film end
is reached the film advance
lever may stop before the lever is fully turned. Do not force the lever! Stop winding
at
once and rewind the film (Fig. 13). Please refer to "Unloading
Exposed Film ".
Note: × When the batteries are dead, you can still use CA-4 / 4s camera. Reset the shutter operation mode selector from "AUTO" to "X" which will provide a shutter speed of 1/l00 sec. ASA/DIN SETTING
Turn the film speed dial by lifting up and align the appropriate ASA number with the white index mark. Be sure to check the ASA number whenever you put a new film into the camera (Fig. 14).
Your Chinon CA-4 / 4s has three built-in focusing aids. 1. The center of the
viewfinder is split image with a microprism collar which is surrounded by ground
glass. When the camera is in focus, the image of these focusing aids become sharpest.
While observing the subject through the viewfinder, rotate the lens focusing ring
until the upper and lower split image match up to form one uniform image (Fig. 15).
This split image focusing is particularly helpful when the subject is dominated
by vertical lines. 2. The microprism is also helpful. When it is out of focus, the
image on the microprism will be composed of a collection of asterisks (Fig. 16).
These sparkling asterisks will disappear when the focus is properly adjusted. You
can double check the focus setting by the image on the
3. You can also focus indirectly. Actually measure or estimate the camera-to-subject distance and set the lens focusing ring to the appropriate setting (Fig. 17).
1: Shutter speed indicator/ Flash ready lamp (LED)
2. Shutter speed scale (ground glass)
3. Split-image range finder spot
4. Microprism ring
5. Fine matte outer field
AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE
Your CA-4 /4s camera features TTL, center weighted full aperture light measuring automatic exposure control. As long as the shutter operation mode selector is set to "AUTO", you do not have to worry about the exposure factor (Fig. 18).
The sensitive and accurate internal circuitry will compute the correct exposure for the photographic condition and control the shutter speeds steplessly from an 1 second time exposure to a fast 1/1000 second.
When the shutter release button is depressed halfway, the exposure control circuit is energized and will be in the monitoring stage (Fig. 19). You can see the computerized shutter speed displayed in the viewfinder by a red LED (Fig. 20). If the lens F stop or the aperture size is too large for the lighting condition, the over exposure indicator at the top of the scale will flash (Fig. 21). When this happens, stop down the lens diaphragm by turning the lens F stop ring or use a film with a lower ASA number.
Another alternative is to use a ND filter in front of the lens. They are available
as accessories from your local camera store.
If the displayed speed is 1/30
sec. or slower, use of a tripod is recommended. Or you can increase the shutter
speed by opening the lens diaphragm. Use of a flash unit is also suggested. Please
refer to "Chinon dedicated flash system".
If the computed shutter speed is even longer than one second (semi-darkness condition),
the under exposure indicator at the bottom of the scale will light up and flash
when the available light is less than - 2EV (Fig. 22). Note: F stop selection: The
following may be used as a guide to determine the lens F stop when you are using
the camera; Sunny day outside . . . F/8 -F/16
Cloudy day outside . . F/4 - F/5.6
Inside . . . . . . . . . . . . F/1.9 - F/2.8 (without flash)
SHUTTER RELEASE
Your Chinon CA-4 /4s features a two-stage shutter release with a safety cover to prevent accidental shutter release or battery drain. When the shutter release button is depressed halfway, the electronic circuit starts functioning.
When the button is fully depressed, it will trigger the shutter. Always hold the camera steady and gently depress the shutter release button to make an exposure.
UNLOADING EXPOSED FILM
When the film in the camera is
fully exposed the film advance lever will stop.
Do not attempt to force the lever any further. Rewind the film and replace with new film. Push in the rewind button at the bottom of the camera (Fig. 23). Unfold the rewind crank of the rewind knob and turn the rewind crank clockwise (Fig. 24).
You will feel friction as the film is rewound. Suddenly, when the film is rewound completely, the friction will decrease, then lift the rewind knob to open the camera back (Fig. 25).
When the camera back is opened, the frame counter will automatically reset to the " S " position. The rewind button on the bottom of the camera will pop out upon the next advancement of the film advance lever.
Note: Your exposed film should be processed without delay.
CONVENIENT FEATURES:
INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES
Your Chinon CA-4 / 4s camera is equipped with a Chinon bayonet mount which accepts all interchangeable lenses with the universal bayonet mount. To remove the lens from the camera body, depress and hold the lens lock release lever on the camera body, turn the lens counterclockwise as far as it will go, and lift it up from the body (Fig. 26).
Note: Do not remove or replace the lens while the camera is functioning.
To attach the lens, match the red dot on the camera body with the red dot on the lens (Fig. 27). Then insert the lens into the camera body and turn it clockwise until the lens locks with a click.
CHINON DEDICATED FLASH SYSTEM
Specially designed and developed automatic flash units are available for your Chinon CA-4 / 4s camera as optional accessories. This highly advanced dedicated flash system permits carefree flash photography. You no longer have to alter the shutter operation mode selector from the " auto " position since the flash is integrated electronically with the camera body.
Set the f/stop indicated on the exposure calculator dial of your Chinon flash to the corresponding aperture ring on the lens. A few seconds after your Chinon flash is turned to the " on" position, the flash ready light will illuminate. Your Chinon CA-4 / 4s has a special viewfinder ready-light system which is electronically coupled to the auto flash.
When the flash has reached adequate power, the viewfinder 1/60 sec. shutter speed
indicator (LED) will flash signaling the camera and flash are ready to operate (Fig.
28)
After the picture has been taken and before the flash has recycled, the
camera will automatically switch to the automatic mode until the flash has once
again recycled. In this case, your flash must be set to the " AUTO " position.
Stop at your Chinon dealer today to get a complete demonstration of Chinon quality
automatic electronic flashes they will light up your life!
| Model | Chinon Auto S-180 | Chinon Auto S-240 | Chinon Auto S-280 |
| 1. Type: | Automatic Flash | Thyristor Electronic Flash (power cut-off system) | Thyristor Electronic Flash (power cut-off system) |
| 2. Auto Flash System: | YES | Yes | Yes |
| 3. Dedicated for CA-4 /4s camera: | NO | Yes | Yes |
| 4. Guide Number in M . ASA 100 . ASA 400 |
16 36 |
24 48 |
28 56 |
| 5. Setting: . ASA 100 . ASA 400 |
One aperture setting F4 F8 |
Two aperture settings F4/F8 F8/F16 |
Two aperture settings F4/F8 F8/F16 |
| 6. Manual Flash: | YES | Yes | Yes |
| 7. Auto-operation: F4 ( SA 100) F8 SA 400) F8 (ASA 100) 1 F16 (ASA 400)1 |
1m - 4.5M (3.28ft - 14.7ft) | 0.7m - 6m (2.3ft - 19.6ft) 0.7m - 3m (2.3ft - 9.8ft) |
0.7m - 7m (2.30 - 22.9ft) 0.7 - 3.5m (2.3ft - 11.4ft) |
| 8. ASA Range: | 25 - 400 | 25 - 400 | 25 - 400 |
| 9. Sensor Acceptance Angle | Approx. 20 degrees | Approx. 20 degrees | Approx 20 degrees |
| 10. Flash Duration:
Auto Manual |
1/3000 - 1/1500 1/1500 |
1/3000 - 1/750
1/750 |
1/3000 - 1/750
1/750 |
| 11. Recycling Time: Auto |
10 sec. | 0.5 - 10 sec. | 0.5 - 10 sec. |
| 12. Number of flashes: (Alkaline batteries) | Approx. 150 on manual | Approx. 200 on manual | Approx. 150 on manual |
| 13. Bounce capability: | NO | NO | Yes |
| 14. Illumination Angle: | for 35mm lens | for 35mm lens | for 35mm lens |
| 15. Power Source: | Two AA batteries | Four AA batteries | Four AA batteries |
| 16. Open Flash Button | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 17. Sync. Jack: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 18. Dimensions: | 51x69x82mm | 58x77x85mm | 56x133x77mm |
| 19. Weight: | 160g | 210g | 250g |
DEPTH OF FIELD
Depth of field designates the nearest and furthest limits of the area that will be sharp in the picture in front of and beyond the subject. The larger the lens opening, the shallower is the depth of field. The smaller the lens opening; the greater the depth of field becomes (Fig. 29 & 30).
Depth of Field Scale:
The depth of field scale indicates (after focusing) the approximate area that will be sharp in the picture. Locate on the depth of field scale the corresponding pair of f/stop figures. The distance between these two f/stop figures on the focusing ring will be the area of sharpness in your picture (Fig. 31).
SELF-TIMER
The self-timer when set, trips the shutter mechanism after a delay of 7-12 seconds. This feature is useful should the photographer wish to be included in the picture, and is also useful for taking pictures at slow shutter speeds when a cable release is not available.
When using the self-timer, the camera must be mounted on a tripod, or a solid support of some kind.
To operate, move the self-timer lever counterclockwise as far as it will go. Advance the film transport lever. Upon pressing upward on the self-timer lever with your finger. the self-timer mechanism will start to operate (Fig. 32).
Note: Do not depress the shutter release button, since the self-timer mechanism will not operate and the shutter will be released instantly.
Do not advance the film transport lever until the self-timer operation completely stops.
INFRA-RED PHOTOGRAPHY
Your CA-4 / 4s camera accepts infra-red film. To use infra-red film an extra focusing adjustment must be made. After focusing note the figure that is adjacent to the green marking on the distance scale of the lens (Fig. 33), then move that figure over to the infra-red mark engraved on the lens. This adjustment is only required for black and white infra-red film. When using a color infra-red film, you should focus in the normal way.
Note: Read the instructions carefully packed with the infra-red film for further information.
CARE OF THE CAMERA
Your Chinon CA-4 / 4s camera is a precision instrument. Used with care, it will provide years of trouble free service. Protect your camera from dirt. rain, dampness and excessive heat. Avoid touching the lens. To clean the lens, wipe it gently with a soft lint less cloth or lens tissue. Do not use eyeglass tissue as it might damage the lens coating.
* Standard Lenses
45mm t|2.8 50mm f/1.9
f/1.7 multicoated
f/1.4 multicoated
* Wide-angle lenses
28mm f/2.8 multicoated 35mm f/2.8 multicoated
* Telephoto lenses
135mm f/2.8 multicoated
200mm f/3.5 multicoated
300mm f/5.6 multicoated
500mm f/8 multicoated
* Zoom lenses
28 - 50mm f/3.5 - 4.5 multicoated
35 - 100mm f/3.5 - 4.3 multicoated
80-200mm f3.8 multicoated
* Accessories
Auto Flash S-180
Auto Flash S-240
Auto Flash S-280
Synchro-eye for flash (slave unit)
Deluxe carrying case
Filter 49mm (Skylite, UV, ND4X, Y2, PL)
Rubber eyepiece
Eyepiece adapter ( - 3, +1, +3)
Rubber lens hood
Auto extension ring
Bellows
Minicopy stand
Spare ring for mini-copy stand
Cable release adapter (13 inch, 20 inch)
Angle finder
Table tripod
Neck Strap
1.5V silver oxide battery (3 pcs. in one set)
3 clips lens cap
Eyepiece cover
Body cap
and many more