Chinon Auto S-280 User manual

Open the Battery Compartment Cover by
         pressing up on the cover latch as indicated by
         the arrow and insert 4 "AA" size batteries
        according to the diagram inside the battery
        compartment.





(Webmaster: note the alternate battery position, from
left the battery positive is up, next one is down, third
one is up, last one is down)

Close the battery compartment cover.

Caution: Incorrect insertion of the batteries will
prevent proper operation of the flash unit, and damage
may occur.

1. Loosen the Locking Ring. Insert the flash mounting
foot of your flash unit into the cameras flash shoe.



Then tighten the flash unit by turning the Locking
Ring.

Set the Aut0-manual control switch to the manual
position marked "M".





2. Set the shutter speed of your camera to the proper
shutter speed setting for electronic flash use, i.e. 1/100
of a second, or to 1/60 of a second.

(Read your camera's owner manual for details on
determining flash synchronization speed)

 (Webmaster: Chinon cameras are all 1/60 or use the X
setting on the dial)

If your camera has a hot shoe contact, your flash unit
                                                           will be automatically synchronized with the camera by
                                             means of electronic contacts in the camera's flash
                                                       shoe. Therefore the Synchro cord provided with the
                                                           unit is not necessary.

                                                 (Webmaster: If you have a really old Chinon you will
                                                 need to check if the metal flash shoe will set off the
                                                           flash when you install it. There are two contacts, one
                                              on the side and the bottom hot shoe.

                                A hotshoe will only make a contact with the side
                                                        contact and bottom contact at the right time. A metal
                                                           flash shoe will just short the flash and never charge)





When used with a Chinon CE-4 or CA-4 camera you no longer have to alter the shutter speed from the
automatic position, since the flash is "dedicated" and is electronically integrated with the CE-4 and CA-4
camera body. When switched to the "ON" position and when fully charged, the flash unit will electronically.
signal the camera to alter the shutter speed to 1/60 of a second. After the flash picture has been taken the
camera will automatically revert back to the automatic shutter speed setting appropriate for the lighting
condition until the unit recharges.



If your camera does not have a hot shoe contact, use the Synchro Cord provided with your flash unit.

Turn the flash unit on and wait a few seconds for the flash unit to recycle. The flash unit is ready for picture
taking when the ready lamp indicator illuminates.

Various flash camera to subject distances are listed on the exposure guide table on the back of your flash unit.
Always refer to this handy guide to determine correct lens aperture to use depending on the distance of the
subject from the camera. A handy formula to calculate the F stop is as follows:

Guide # divided by distance = lens aperture (F stop), eg., when using ASA 100 film (guide 28) and standing
7m from the subject you should set the lens F stop to F/4 (28 divided by 7 = 4) The guide number for your flash
unit is listed in the specifications on the last page of your instruction manual.

When set to automatic, your flash unit automatically
controls the light output which in turn controls the
exposure for the subject within the automatic range.

Once you set the exposure (F stop) on the camera there
is no need to change it again when taking pictures
within the perimeters of the automatic range.



Your S-280 flash unit is equipped with a thyristor
circuitry which conserves the amount of power
required to recharge the flash unit and accordingly
short distance pictures can be taken in relatively short
intervals, i.e., 1 second apart.

Always check the ready light on the flash unit to
determine when the unit has fully recharged and is
ready to take the next flash picture.

The yellow and green numbers of the distance guide
chart located on the back of the flash unit indicates the
dual automatic range of the Chinon S-280 flash
unit. Once you select one of these ranges depending
upon your distance requirements, set the aperture
accordingly and then there is no need to change it
again while taking pictures within the automatic range.

1. Set your camera's shutter speed dial to the proper
shutter speed setting for electronic
   flash (Refer to your camera's owner manual ).

2. Set the Auto-Manual Control Switch on the back of
your flash unit to the yellow position when taking
flash pictures at distances up to 11 feet (3.5m) or to the
green position when taking pictures up to 22 feet (7m).

3. Consult the exposure guide table on the back of
your flash unit. The lens aperture indicated in the
yellow or green row of numbers should be set
according to the ASA or DIN film speed
corresponding to the film in your camera. (Ex, When
using ASA 100 film, set your camera's F stop at F/8
for yellow row or F/4 for green row).





4. Slide the On-Off Switch to the "ON" position and
focus your camera. Take the picture after the Ready
Lamp illuminates.

5. The Chinon CE4 Memotron camera has a special
viewfinder ready light system which is electronically
coupled to the Auto S-280 Flash unit. When the flash
has recycled the viewfinder 1/60 second shutter speed
indicator (LED) will flash signaling the camera and
flash are ready for flash picture operation.

Your Chinon S-280 flash unit has a bounce flash
                                                          feature which is especially helpful when you desire to
                                                       take "soft effect" photographs or to eliminate shadows
                                              on your subject. When taking flash pictures indoors
                                                             rotate the swivel reflector to the desired angle so as to
                                                bounce the light off the wall (holding camera
                                                    sideways) or ceiling of the room.

                                            The angle of the swivel reflector can be changed by
                                                        turning the reflector at both sides of the flash unit with
                                                  your fingers.





In the Manual mode: to obtain the proper exposure when using the bounce flash feature you should open the
lens 1 additional F stop when the swivel reflector is set at 25° or 45° and two additional F stops when set at 65°
or 90° . In either of the automatic modes no exposure change is necessary since your unit will automatically
compensate for bounce flash.





                                      When taking pictures, avoid shooting into highly
                                                             reflective surfaces such as mirrors, glass, or glittering
                                                        water.

                                                        In the event you have to shoot a flash picture with
                                                      highly reflective surfaces in the background, you
                                                    should shoot from an angle so that reflections do not
                                              go directly into the camera lens.

                                      When not in use always turn the flash unit to the
                                           "OFF" position. Take the batteries out when the flash
                                                           unit is being stored or not being used for a long period
                                                       of time.

Always keep your flash unit away from dust and moisture to prolong its life. When the flash unit is being
stored for a long period of time it is recommended to operate the test flash button of the unit once or twice a
month.


                                      Do not use Nickel Cadmium battery. (Webmaster: In
                                         many years I never had a problem with NC
                                                               batteries. The newer Alkaline batteries do not have
                                                         the same small problem the NC had with certain
                                                          electronic items)



                                      Do not try to open or repair your flash unit since the
                                                            internal electric circuit inside creates high voltages.  If
                                                  your flash should require repair it should be returned
                                                           to the original place of purchase. Opening the flash
                                                           unit will void the warranty.