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BASIC OPERATIONS

I. Focusing

At the center of the viewfinder is the split image with microprism collar which is then surrounded by ground glass. When the camera is in focus, the image on these focusing aids becomes sharpest. While observing the subject through the viewfinder, turn the lens focus ring until the upper and lower split images match up to form a uniform image (Fig. 19).  This split image focusing is particularly helpful when the subject is dominated by vertical lines. The microprism is also very helpful; when out of focus; the image on the microprism will be composed of a collection of asterisks (Fig. 20). These sparkling asterisks will disappear when the focus is properly set. You can double check the focus seeing by the image on the ground glass.

You can also focus indirectly. Actually measure or estimate the distance to the subject and set the lens focus ring to the appropriate setting (Fig. 21).

II. Programmed Auto-Exposure

(AE) mode ("P" mode) Your CHINON CP-5s program camera automatically selects the most suitable combination of shutter speed and aperture for the optimum exposure. The programmed AE mode is ideal for general picture taking by shooting very quickly and easily, eliminating troublesome exposure setting according to light conditions.

 

The CHINON CP-6 program camera is also equipped with the World's First "Two-Stage" Program AE mode.  It is recommended to use, in most cases the "P1 " mode, which selects fastest practical shutter speed.  1. Set the Exposure Mode Select dial to the "P1" position (Fig. 22).  2. Set the lens at it's minimum aperture.  3. While looking at the shutter speed indicator scale in the viewfinder, slightly depress the shutter release button.

The "P" LED and program selected shutter speed LED indicators light up (Fig. 24). Further pressure on the shutter button will release the shutter.

* Programmed AE mode warning: The "P" LED indicator (green) in the viewfinder will "flicker" when the lens aperture is set within four stops of the lens full aperture opening. Beyond four stops of full aperture opening, the "P" LED indicator will remain illuminated at the programmed AE mode. Thus, set the lens aperture, so as not to cause the "Programmed AE mode warning" LED to "flicker."

For more detailed usage of programmed AE, please refer to the section "Two-Stage programmed AE" for advanced use.

III. Shutter release and release lock

Your CHINON CP-5s program camera features a two stage electromagnetic shutter release with safety lock. When the shutter release button is depressed halfway, the electronic circuitry 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. The position marked "L" on the exposure mode select dial is the shutter release safety lock position.

When this is aligned with the index mark, the batteries are disconnected from the circuitry and an exposure cannot be made (Fig. 25). This position is also used when the camera is not to be used for a long time.


IV. 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, but rewind the film and replace with a new one. Push in the rewind lock release button at the bottom of the camera (Fig. 26). Unfold the rewind crank of the rewind knob. Turn the rewind crank clockwise (Fig. 27).

You will feel friction as the film is rewound from the camera, back into the film cartridge. Suddenly, when the film is rewound completely, the friction decreases and the rewind crank will turn with ease.

 

Then pull up on the rewind knob to open the camera back (Fig. 28). When the camera back is opened the frame counter will automatically reset to "S". The rewind lock release button on the bottom of the camera will pop out to the normal position when the film advance lever is advanced again. Your exposed film should be processed without delay.

V. Self-timer/Audible signal on-off switch

Your CHINON CP-5s program camera is equipped with an electronic self-timer with a red LED indicator, together with a piezo ceramic buzzer (audible signal).

Thin self-timer switch also functions as an audible signal on-off switch. The built-in self-timer electronically delays the shutter release for ten seconds. The camera should be mounted on a firm support during self-timer operation. To activate the self-timer, place the self-timer switch to the upper position and depress the shutter release button (Fig. 29, 30). You will notice the red self-timer LED blinking with the piezo ceramic buzzer (audible signal) and two seconds before the shutter release the flashing frequency will increase giving you or your audience time to smile. The self-timer may also be utilized for releasing the shutter at low shutter speeds when a cable release is not available. If you decided not to use the self-timer, you can cancel it even after it has started to operate. Just return the self-timer switch to the normal position for cancellation.

NOTE: When utilizing the self-timer with the exposure mode select dial set at "P" or "A", it is recommended to block the viewfinder with an eyepiece cover or similar item to prevent extraneous light from interfering with the automatic exposure system of the camera (Fig. 31 ).

* Audible Signal ON/OFF Switch When the Audible Signal ON/OFF Switch (self-timer switch) is pulled down to the lower position, all audible signals of the camera will be eliminated (Fig. 32). Your Chinon CP-5S program camera is equipped with six different audible signals. For more details, see "SYSTEM OPERATION".

Vl. Flash photography
Your CHINON CP-5s program camera is designed with a unique flash system, making flash photography simple. The CP-5s gives a wide range of use, such as X sync at 1/100 sec. and slower sync flash photography possibility.

1. Mount a CHINON dedicated flash to the camera (Fig. 33). Set the f/ stop indicated on the exposure calculator dial of your CHINON flash to the corresponding aperture ring on the lens. Set the exposure mode select dial to "A" or "X" position (Fig. 34).

2. A few seconds after your CHINON flash is turned to the "ON" position, the flash ready light will illuminate. When the flash has reached adequate power, the camera's shutter speed is automatically set to the 1/100 sec., and 1/125 sec. shutter speed indicator (green) will blink, signaling the camera flash is ready to operate (Fig. 35). 3. With the exposure mode select dial set at "A", after the picture has been taken and before the flash has recycled, the camera will automatically switch to the automatic exposure mode until the flash has once again recycled.

Other electronic flash units can be utilized with your CHINON CP-5s program camera.  However, if the unit does not incorporate a built-in hot shoe, a P.C. cord must be connected to the "X" synchronization terminal on your CP-5s program camera for proper flash synchronization.  Also the exposure mode select dial must be set to the "X" position (Fig. 36).  NOTE: It is advisable to use only CHINON dedicated flash units or units designed specially for use on CHINON cameras.   (Webmaster): Any auto (non-dedicated flash) will work with this camera.  They can be expensive units to $30 units.  By placing the flash in AUTO mode, look at your film ASA and distance to your subject. Set your camera to manual, at 1/60 sec. or "X" and to the F-stop stated on the flash. Some flash units will have multiple colors (flash power) and have more than one F-stop.  These determine the max. distance to the subject.

NOTE: When "FP" or "M" type flash bulbs are used, the shutter speed must be set to 1/15 sec. or slower.  Use of a tripod is always recommended.  For details on "Slow Synchronization", refer to "SYSTEM OPERATION".

FOR ADVANCED USE:

I. Multi-mode metering system

By simply switching the metering select lever, SPOT metering and center weighted AVERAGE metering plus capability of measuring light in accordance with the averaged reading of SPOT and center weighted AVERAGE metering (SPOT AVERAGE) can be obtained regardless of the AE mode chosen.

1. AVERAGE: center weighted average metering method 
This metering system is considered as the conventional way to measure light. The light value of the subjects placed in the viewfinder is measured evenly with the stress on the light value in the center of the composition. Simply set the Metering Mode Select Lever to the AVG position to employ this metering mode (Fig. 38).

2. SPOT: spot metering method 

This method to measure a light value of the subject placed in the center of the viewfinder, which covers about 2% of the total picture area. The spot metering system measures the area covered by the split-image and microprism part of the focusing screen.

 This method is extremely useful when there is a big gap between light and dark areas of the subject, e.g. when taking pictures of a subject with direct sunlight toward the camera (backlit conditions), or of a subject spot-lit with a dark background.  1.) Set the Metering Mode Select Lever to the SPOT position (Fig. 39).   2.) The shutter release button depressed halfway, the SPOT digital LED in the viewfinder (red) and the selected shutter speed at this SPOT metering mode will light up (Fig. 40).
NOTE: When using a PL filter in the SPOT mode, be sure to use a circular Polarized Light (PL) filter for best results.

3. SPOT-AVERAGE: averaged reading of SPOT and center weighted AVERAGE metering ("A" mode)

This unique SPOT-AVERAGE metering method is to measure light in accordance with averaged reading of "spot" and "center weighted average" metering.   This method of light measuring is useful in such cases when taking pictures of a scene in extremely backlit condition, or when there is a big gap between brightness of a main subject and background-under these conditions, AVERAGE metering will be much affected by the background brightness while SPOT metering will only measure the light in the center.  1.) Set the Exposure Mode Select Dial to the "A" position, the Metering Mode Select lever to the "AVG" position (Fig. 41).  2.) Look through the viewfinder compose the picture and focus.

3.) Depress the shutter release button halfway and at the same time depress the Manual Shutter Speed Select Button once which will instantly memorize the center weighted averaged metering data (Fig. 42).   4.) Continue to depress the shutter release button halfway and center the main part of the subject in the spot metering zone, then set the Metering Mode Select lever to the "SPOT' position (Fig. 43). Instantaneously the camera will compute the averaged reading of the center weighted average metering and spot metering, giving an audible signal. 
NOTE: In the viewfinder, the shutter speed digital LED at SPOT AVERAGE metering blinks, and the spot-metered shutter speed digital LED lights up.   
5.) While keeping the shutter release button halfway depressed, compose the picture and release the shutter. NOTE: The SPOT-AVERAGE metering cannot be used in program modes (P1 or P2). Please use "A" mode for SPOT-AVERAGE metering.

II. Exposure Memory 
Under normal circumstances your CHINON CP-5s will produce perfectly exposed photographs, due to the integrated automatic exposure circuitry. However, some lighting conditions might occur that could misguide the system, such as subjects with a very high contrast or strongly backlit scenes. In such cases the exposure memory should be used. 

1. Exposure memory at SPOT metering mode.  Exposure memory lock is executed by depressing the shutter release button halfway at the "A" mode. Center the main part of the subject in the spot metering zone with the Metering Mode Select Lever set in the "SPOT" position and depress the shutter release button halfway to memorize the exposure, giving an audible signal (Fig. 44).   While keeping the shutter release button halfway depressed, recompose the picture as you desire and release the shutter. The spot-metered shutter speed indicator in the viewfinder will flicker, and the metered shutter speed at the time of recomposing will stay lit:

2. Exposure memory at AVERAGE metering mode

1. ) Make sure that the exposure mode select dial is set to the "A" position.  2.) Look through the viewfinder and center your subject in the split micro prism center spot, and depress the shutter release button halfway.  3.) Then press the manual shutter speed select button once which will instantly memorize the light value of the subject (indicated by an audible signal). Once the manual shutter speed button is depressed, there is no need to hold it further, as long as the shutter release button is halfway depressed (Fig. 45).

4.) Focus and compose the subject in the viewfinder as you desire then press the shutter release button all the way to take the photograph.  
NOTE: When the exposure mode select dial is set to the program mode (P1 or P2), exposure will not be memorized.

 

I. Two-stage programmed AE The CP-5s camera is designed with a two-stage program, which gives you greater photographic versatility: select either program based on your photographic needs via the one touch lever (Fig. 37).

1. Program

P1 (Table A) The P1 mode minimizes the camera shake and is designed to be used when photographing "hi speed" (moving) objects.

P2 (Table B) The P2 mode gives priority to the lens aperture, which affects the depth of field. This mode is convenient when taking picture of hard-to-focus objects and when using wide angle lens.

3. Programmed AE mode warning and aperture setting. 

(Table C) Unlike other program cameras, CHINON CP-5s camera accepts any existing "K" mount lenses even in the program mode. Generally, you should set the aperture at its minimum setting. Although you can take a perfectly exposed picture at any aperture setting, the applicable programmed range is limited in this connection, thus the program AE mode warning LED is useful to check the lens aperture setting for program mode. The programmed AE mode warning "P" LED will "flicker" when the lens aperture is within four stops of the full opening aperture. Set the aperture within the range so that the warning LED will not "flicker". Follow your own photographic needs; however, in such a case for instance, using 50mm f1.4 lens with its f/stop set at 5.6, the camera is controlled by the program characteristics of f/1.4 through f/5.6, beyond f/5.6, camera is controlled by the aperture priority automatic exposure mode (See table C).