chinon cs-4 camera manual, instructions

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SPECIFICATIONS OF CHINON CS-4 COMPACT SLR CAMERA

Type: 35mm SLR Compact with LED type light measuring system.

Picture Format: 24 X 36mm.

Mirror: Quick return, shockless system.

Shutter: Seiko MFC metal focal plane shutter, vertical path.

Shutter Speed: 1 sec. - 1/1000 sec., "B".

Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism, central split image with microprism collar and ground glass.

Viewfinder Magnification: 0.87 X (@50mm, )

Viewfinder Visibility: 92%

Exposure Meter: TTL, center weighted measuring system employing a silicon blue cell, 3 step exposure indicator with 3 LEDs.

Exposure Range: EV+2 (F/l.9, 1 sec.) to EV+18 (F/16, 1/1000 sec.)--ASA 100 F/1.9 lens.

ASA Range: 25 - 1600 (DIN 15 - 33) 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. Action Lamp: Red LED illuminates while the shutter operates.

Synchronization: Flash sync. at 1/60 sec.

Power Source: Two 1.5V Alkaline batteries (LR44, A76) or two 1.5V silver oxide batteries (SR44, S76, G-13).

Battery Test: Built-in with LED indicator.

Accessories: Multi-coated lenses, Auto electronics flashes, carrying case and many more.

Body Dimensions: 135 (W) X 86 (H) X 50.5 (D) mm. (5.33" X 3.38" X 1.99 )

Body Weight: 455 grams (16.05 oz.).

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the world of Chinon photography! Your Chinon CS4 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 CS4, please read the instruction manuals carefully so as to totally familiarize yourself with your camera before actually starting to take pictures. We thank you for choosing Chinon quality products and we wish you years of satisfaction and enjoyment.

INSTALLING THE BATTERIES

1. By using a coin, unlock the battery compartment cover by turning it counterclockwise (Fig. 1).

2. Place two 1.5V Alkaline batteries (LR44, A76) or two 1.5V silver oxide batteries (SR44, S76, G-13) with the minus (A 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 exposure indicator LEDs and the action lamp will operate only when the batteries are correctly installed and not exhausted.

BATTERY TESTING
To test the batteries, push up the exposure meter switch. If the batteries are in good condition, one of three LED's located at the left side of the viewfinder frame will illuminate (Fig. 4). If a LED fails to illuminate, the batteries are too weak and need to be replaced, they are incorrectly inserted, or the shutter speed selector is set to the "B" position.

FILM LOADING
Your Chinon CS4 camera can be used with any type of 35mm film.

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 engages 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 speed selector to any setting and advance the film while holding the film lightly down on to the transport sprockets.

6. Release the shutter if necessary and advanced the film until the sprockets engage with the upper and lower perforation of the film (Fig. 7).

7. Close the camera back firmly until it locks with a click.

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 filth and release the shutter two times (Fig. 8). The rewind knob should rotate counterclockwise when the film is advanced and the "1" marking should appear in the frame counter window (Fig. 9).

MEMO HOLDER
The Chinon CS-4 camera has a built-in memo holder feature. To utilize the memo holder, 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 film and ASA speed used in your camera (Fig. 10).

FRAME COUNTER
Your Chinon CS4 is equipped with a frame counter which displays the number of exposures and resets automatically upon opening the camera back. When the camera 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 numbers 24 and 36 are colored in orange to warn the end of commonly available films (Fig. 11).
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. Please refer to "Unloading Exposed film" (Fig. 12).

ASA/DIN SETTING
The ASA/DIN speed of the film is specified on the box or in the instruction sheet packed with the film. Set the ASA/DIN speed by lifting up and rotating the shutter speed dial so that the correct ASA/DIN film speed appears in the window. Be sure to check the ASA number whenever you put new film into the camera (Fig. 13).

SHUTTER SPEED SETTING
Rotate the shutter speed dial to the left or right to select a suitable shutter speed from the band of "B", 1 to 1/1000 sec., (Fig. 14).

APERTURE SETTING
The aperture is set in the usual way by rotating the lens aperture ring until the desired F stop is set against the green index mark on the lens barrel. For further explanation see "Determining Correct Exposure" (Fig. 15 & 16.).

1. The center of the viewfinder is a split image with 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, turn the lens focusing ring until the upper and lower split image match up to form a uniform image (Fig. 17). 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 collection of asterisks (Fig. 18). These sparkling asterisks will disappear when the focus is properly set. You can double check the focus setting by the image on the ground glass.

3. You can also focus indirectly. Actually measure or estimate the camera-to-the subject distance and set the lens focusing ring to the appropriate setting (Fig. 19).

Chinon CS-4

6. Fine Matte Outer Field (ground glass)

DETERMINING CORRECT EXPOSURE
Your Chinon CS-4 camera has a Through The Lens (TTL) exposure metering system. Also called an instant aperture closed measuring system. To determine the correct exposure, observe the subject through the viewfinder in the center of the microprism area. Then, push up the exposure meter switch until it is locked and the exposure indicator lamp (LED) located on the left side of the viewfinder frame illuminates (Fig. 20). Should the green lamp (LED) not illuminate, you must turn either the shutter speed dial or the lens aperture ring until the green lamp illuminates. By doing so, you will be assured of a correct exposure.

*The Exposure Indicator:
Your Chinon CS4 camera has three exposure indicator lamps (LED's) located at the left side of the viewfinder frame. These three lamps control the condition of exposure of the camera. The condition of exposure can be confirmed in the following three ways:

When rotating the shutter speed dial or the lens aperture ring, you must operate them slowly since the exposure indicator lamps are very sensitive. Generally you should select a shutter speed first then operate the lens aperture ring until the proper exposure is obtained. A tripod should be used for shutter speeds lower than 1/30 second.

NOTE: The exposure indicator lamp does not illuminate when the shutter speed dial is set at the "B" position, batteries are incorrectly installed or too weak, or the meter switch is not pressed up to the "ON" position.

The exposure meter switch is automatically returned to the "OFF" position when the shutter release button is depressed. You can also return the switch to the "OFF" position by pressing it down. Be sure not to keep the switch in the "ON" position for a long period of time. This will prevent unnecessary battery drain.

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 a new film.

1. Push in the rewind button at the bottom of the camera (Fig. 21).

2. Unfold the rewind crank of the rewind knob and turn the rewind crank clockwise (Fig. 22). You will feel friction as the film is rewound. Suddenly, when the film is rewound completely the friction will decrease and the rewind crank will turn with ease.

3. pull up the rewind knob to open the camera back (Fig. 23). 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.

Your exposed film should be processed without delay for best result.

Chinon CS-4 camera

INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES

Chinon CS-4 camera

Your Chinon CS4 camera is equipped with a Chinon thread mount which accepts all interchangeable lenses with M-42 lens mount. To remove the lens from the camera body, press down the exposure meter switch, holding the camera body in one hand and grip the lens with the other, turning it counterclockwise until it is removed (Fig. 24).

The lens aperture is determined by the calculation table indicated on the flash unit. Specially designed and developed automatic flash units are available for your Chinon CS4 camera as optional accessories. These highly advanced electronic flash units permit carefree flash photography. Look at the following fantastic flash units by Chinon:

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 the F/stop. The larger the lens opening, the shallower the depth of field. The smaller the lens opening, the greater the depth of field becomes (Fig. 28 & 29).

*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. 30).

INFRA-RED PHOTOGRAPHY
Your CS-4 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 index mark on the distance scale (Fig. 31), 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 color infra-red film, focus should be performed in the normal manner.

Chinon CS-4 camera

NOTE: Read the instructions carefully packed with the infra-red film for further information.

CAMERA CARE
Your Chinon CS-4 is a precision instrument. When 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 lintless cloth or lens tissue. Do not use eyeglass tissue as this might scratch the lens coating.