This camera manual library is for reference and historical purposes,
all rights reserved.
This page is copyright by
,
M. Butkus, N.J.
This page may not be sold or distributed without the
expressed permission of the producer
If you find this manual useful, how about a donation of $3 to: M.
Butkus, 29 Lake Ave., High Bridge, NJ 08829-1701
Most other places would charge you $7.50 for a electronic copy or
$18.00 for a hard to read Xerox copy.

Programmed AE (Auto Exposure) mode ("P" mode)
Aperture Priority AE (Auto Exposure) photography
Shutter release and release lock
PROGRAMMED AE (AUTO EXPOSURE) MODE ("P" MODE)

1. Set the Exposure Mode Select Dial to the "P" position (Fig. 22).2. Set the lens at its minimum aperture (Fig. 23). This setting is color coded green on your standard 50 mm lens to match the green "P" setting on the Exposure Mode Select Dial. Accessory lenses should also be set at their minimum aperture.
CHINON CP-X programmed AE characteristics are shown
in the TABLE A. With a 50 mm F1.4 lens both shutter speeds and aperture
vary to obtain correct exposures as lighting conditions fluctuate above
EV 7 (Exposure Value 7): Below EV 7, only the shutter speed changes.
Unlike other program cameras, CHINON CP-X camera accepts any existing "K" mount lens even in the program mode. Generally, you should set the aperture at its minimum setting (largest number on f-stop aperture ring]. Although a perfectly exposed picture will result at any selected aperture setting, the program range is limited by not "stopping down" the lens to the minimum aperture. For example, using the 50 mm V1.4 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, the camera is controlled by the aperture priority automatic exposure mode (See Table B).
APERTURE
PRIORITY AE
(AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE)
PHOTOGRAPHY
After you have set the Exposure Mode Select Dial
to "A" and selected the desired aperture, the camera will automatically
select the stepless shutter speed from 1 sec. to a fast 1/1000 sec. "A"
mode is convenient for taking pictures at specific aperture settings based
on your individual needs.
* OK" LED will blink when the
shutter speed is slower than 1/30 sec. Use of a tripod is then recommended,
or you can increase the shutter speed by opening the lens aperture.
* If the computed shutter speed
is even longer than 1 sec. (semi-darkness condition), the under exposure
indicator (a) will appear (Fig. 28). Open the lens diaphragm by turning
the aperture ring or use a film with a higher ISO number, or use a flash.
You can manually control the CHINON CP-X when the camera is set to a preselected aperture or shutter speed. This program camera is equipped with a convenient "Power Hold Circuitry" - automatic shutoff after 12 seconds.
1. Set the required shutter speed on the dial (Fig. 29).4.butkus.org![]()
2. Set the required aperture on the lens. Depress the shutter release button until the meter activates and observe which mark is indicated in the viewfinder by an LED, so that correct exposure can be obtained (Fig. 30).
* There
are two methods of selecting the correct exposure (M mode]
Power-hold circuitry:
When the shutter release button is pressed halfway
down and then pressure is released, the camera circuitry stays on for 12
seconds. This permits convenient manual exposure metering without risk
of accidentally taking a picture.
SHUTTER
RELEASE AND
RELEASE LOCK
Your CHINON CP-X program camera features a two stage
electromagnetic shutter release with safety lock. When the shutter release
button is depressed halfway, the electronic
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. 34). Unfold the rewind
crank of the rewind knob. Turn the rewind crank clockwise (Fig. 35). 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.4.butkus.org
Then pull up on the rewind knob to open the camera
back (Fig. 36). 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.
AE
LOCK SYSTEM
This camera has an AE Lock system. Under normal
circumstances your CHINON CP-X program camera will produce perfectly exposed
photographs, due to the integrated automatic exposure circuitry. However,
some lighting conditions might occur that could mislead the system, such
as subjects with a very high contrast or strongly back-lit scenes. In such
cases, the exposure memory feature should be used.
1. Make sure that the Exposure Mode Select Dial is set to the "A" position (Fig. 37).
2. Press down the Self-timer/AE lock switch to the
"AEL" position (Fig. 38).
3. Look through the viewfinder and center your subject
in the split microprism center spot, and depress the shutter release button
halfway. "A" LED in the viewfinder will blink (Fig. 39). The exposure will
be memorized as long as the shutter release button is halfway depressed
(Fig. 40).
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: Be sure to return the Self-timer/AE lock switch to the normal position (kA) after use.
* When the exposure mode select dial is set to the program mode "P", the exposure will not be memorized.
SELF-TIMER
Your CHINON CP-X program camera is equipped with
an electronic self timer with a red LED indicator. 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 (Fin. 41). You will notice the red self-timer
LED blinking 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 decide not to use the self-timer,
you can cancel it even after it 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 the "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. 42).
Your CHINON CP-X program camera is designed with
a unique flash system, making flash photography simple. The CP-X gives
a wide range of flash use, such as X sync at fast 1/100 sec., flash photography
at slower speeds is also possible.
1. Mount a CHINON dedicated flash to the camera (Fig. 43). 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 select dial to the "A" position (Fig. 44).Slow Synchronization (Manual2. 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. flash sync speed, and the flash ready LED (red) in the viewfinder will light up.
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.4.butkus.org
If you desire to synchronize at a speed slower then
1/100 sec., set the desired shutter speed by turning Exposure Mode Select
Dial (Fig. 45). The shutter will be released at the selected speed. Set
the aperture as
indicated by the flash unit.
NOTE: When the shutter speed faster than
1/100 sec. is set with dedicated flash, the shutter speed will be automatically
set to 1/100 sec. after the flash is fully charged. Other electronic flash
units can be utilized with your CHINON CP-X program camera. When using
non-dedicated automatic flash units, set the Exposure Mode Select Dial
to the "60" position. This sets the correct shutter speed (1/60 second)
on your camera for flash photography with non-dedicated flash units (Fig.
46).
NOTE: It is advisable to use only CHINON dedicated flash units or units designed specially for use on CHINON cameras.
B
(BULB) SETTING
The B setting is used for shooting night scenes
or long time exposures. Set the Exposure Mode Select Dial to the "B" position
(Fig. 47). The shutter and mirror will move to the open (up) position while
the Shutter Release Button is depressed. Use of a cable release and a tripod
is recommended for stability to prevent camera movement during the time
exposures.
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. Depth of field is controlled by f-stop. The larger the lens
opening (f/stop), the shallower is the depth of field. The smaller the
lens opening, the greater the depth of field will become (Fig. 48, 49).
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 V stop figures on the focusing ring will be the area of the sharpness
in your picture (Fig. 50).
AUTO
WINDER SYSTEM
The CHINON CP-X optional Power winder system features
the World's First "Single Power Source System". When equipped with CHINON
Power Winders (PW-600, PW-610), the camera's power source is supplied from
the power winder. This system is extremely convenient when photographing
in cold weather. When using the PW-600 winder it is possible to shoot continuously
for a predetermined amount of frames (up to 24 exposures), at intervals
of your choice (up to 30 seconds) (Fig. 51).
NOTE: To attach a CHINON Power Winder to the camera power, the power grip (battery compartment) has to be removed from the camera body. Before attaching the winder, wipe the contact points on both the camera and the winder with a dry cloth.
The infrared index mark is a way to
Taking Infrared Photographs
2. Reset the indicated distance on the lens to the infrared index mark (Fig. 52). According to the instructions enclosed with the film, set the f-stop and shutter speed and release the shutter. Infrared light rays are invisible to the eye and the camera's light meter, so refer to the instructions with the film for setting the f-stop number and shutter speed. (The automatic exposure system in your camera can not be used.)
AUTO DATE Quartz Digital Data Imprinting Unit
(AD-510)
Accessory data back featuring electronic imprint
of year, month, day or hour, minute directly on your negative or slide.
Data automatically resets until year 2019.
REMOTE CONTROL UNIT
When used with the optional CHINON Remote Control
Set and optional power winder, you can operate the CP-X camera from up
to 100 feet away.
AUTO FOCUS LENS 35-70mm F3.3-4.5 AF ZOOM
CHINON Auto-Focus lens focuses the subject via active
infrared beam. The subject is focused at pin-point sharpness even under
extremely low or no light situations and/or low contrast situations. And
since the lens have their own built-in auto focus button' you can use the
lens on any "K" mount cameras.
× Standard Lens: 50mm f/1.4 multicoated; 50mm f/1.7 multicoated; 50mm f/1.9 multicoated
17mm f/3.5 multicoated
28mm f/2.8 multicoated
35mm f/2.8 multicoated
Telephoto lenses
135mm t/2.8 multicoated
300mm f/5.6 multicoated
500mm f/8 reflex type
Zoom Lenses
28-70mm f/2.8-4.2 multicoated MACRO
35-80mm f/3.5 - 4.8 multicoated MACRO
35-105mm f/3.5~4.5 multicoated MACRO
75-200mm W~4.8 multicoated MACRO
75-300mm f/5.6 multicoated MACRO
× Auto Focus Lens 35-70mm f/3.3 - 4.5 multicoated
Accessory Power Winder (PW-600, PW-610)
INFO BACK (DB-O1O)
INFO BACK 2 (DP-520)
AUTO DATE (AD-510)
Auto S-180 flash
Auto S-200 Hash
Auto S-240 flash
Auto S-250 flash
Auto S-280 flash
Auto S-300 flash
Auto S-360 flash
Auto S-480 flash
Wireless Remote Control Set for Power Winder
Svnchro-eye for Flash (Slave Unit)
Filter (Skylight, UV, Y2, ND4X, PL)
Rubber eyepiece
Eyepiece Adapter (-3, +1 , +3) Angle Finder
Rubber Lens Hood
Auto Extension Ring Bellows
Mini Copy Stand Table Tripod
Cable Release (13 inch) Remote
Spare Ring for Mini Copy Stand Deluxe Carrying Case
Neck Strap
Lens Mount Cap
Body Cap
Eyepiece Cover
Your CHINON CP-X program single lens reflex camera
is a precision instrument. Used with care, it will provide years of trouble
free service. Protect your camera from dirt, dampness, and excessive heat.
Avoid touching the lens. To clean the lens, wipe it gently with a soft
lintless cloth or lens tissues. Do not use eyeglass tissues as they might
damage the lens coating.