Chinon CE-5 User manual

INTRODUCTION Welcome to the exciting world of CHINON photography. Your CHINON CE-5 electronic
compact 35mm SLR represents state-of-the-art design and engineering. Employing a full information electronic
viewfinder with variable intensity LED's, the CE-5 will be easy to operate even under the most adverse lighting
conditions. The two stage electro magnetic shutter release button will permit metering operation (stage one) and
shutter activation (stage two).

Your CHINON CE-5 is designed with built-in electronic auto focus contacts that will permit automatic AF
operation when the camera's shutter release button is depressed when used with the new CHINON 35 - 70mm
AF lens. This advanced feature ensures accurate focusing every time, since shutter activation will not occur
unless the 35 - 70mm AF lens is in proper focus.




NOMENCLATURE  ..................4
                            FOCUSING  .......................................30

SPECIFICATIONS FOR CE-5 ........6
                          AUTO FOCUSING ........................... 34

LENS MOUNTING .................. 14
                           AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE  ..............36

BATTERY
                                F STOP SELECTION ............. 40
INSTALLATION  .............16

                            APERTURE WINDOW  ....................40
BATTERY
TESTING  .........................20
                            SHUTTER RELEASE AND RELEASE LOCK .... 44

FILM
                           UNLOADING EXPOSED FILM ......46
LOADING  ...............................22

                            DEPTH OF FIELD  ............................48
FRAME
COUNTER  ..........................26
                             USING A TRIPOD ............................ 50

FILM
                               SELF TIMER ..................................... 52ADVANCEMENT  ...................28

NOMENCLATURE





1. Shutter speed dial                                    12. Body grip
2. Film advance lever                                  13. Accessory shoe /Hot shoe)
3. Shutter release button                                14. Film rewind knob and teach opening knob
4. Frame counter window                               15. Film speed dial (ASA/ISO) Exposure
5. Multiple exposure lever                           compensation dial
6. Shoulder strap eyelet                                 16. Aperture window
7. AF electronic contacts                               17. Aperture ring
8. Depth of field lever                                  18. Depth of field scale
9. Self-timer diet with LED                             19. X sync socket
10. Lens lock release lever                              20. Focusing ring
11. Body grip screw                                    21. Exposure memory button
                                                       22. Viewfinder eyepiece

23. Metal focal plane shutter
24. Film chamber                                 31. Take-up spool
25. Film rail                                     32. Camera back
26. Film guide rail                                33. Film pressure plate
27. Power winder electronic contacts              34. Power winder coupler
28 Battery chamber cover                         35. Auto Date electronic contacts
29 Tripod socket                                 36. Rewind button
30 Sprocket teeth




 SPECIFICATIONS FOR CE-5

Type: 35 mm automatic SLR (Single Lens Reflex) compact camera with aperture priority exposure system
(AE).

Picture Format: 24 x 36 mm

Film Loading: Easy film loading by multi -slot take up spool.

Lens Mount: CHINON Bayonet Mount

Standard Lenses: CHINON 50 mm F/1.4,50 mm F/1.7,50 mm F/1.9,45mm F/2.8,50 mm F/1.7 AF
(All stop down to F/22)

Mirror: Large quick return, shockless system

Shutter: Seiko MFC electromagnetic metal focal plane shutter with downward vertical path; stepless speeds
from 4 to 1/2000 sec. on automatic; 13 speeds from 2 to 1/2000 sec. on manual; "B". Both automatic and
manual speeds electronically controlled.

Shutter Release: Two stage electromagnetic type with safety lock and provision for cable release.

Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism, central split image with microprism collar and ground glass, 18 LED's
indicate shutter speed, AF operation Flash sync, over/under exposure and low light condition in 3 different
colors. Over/under exposure red LED will glow when exposure is 1 EV higher or lower. Aperture visible in the
viewfinder.

Viewfinder Magnification: 0.87 x with 50 mm lens set at infinity.

Viewfinder Visibility: 92%.

Depth of Field Preview: By depressing depth of field lever.

Exposure Meter: TTL, Center weighted full aperture system employing two silicon blue photo cells located on
each side of viewfinder.

Exposure Preview: By depressing shutter release half way metering system is activated.

Manual Exposure System: Complete manual override capability, match LED system.

Memory Lock: Built-in exposure memory lock system.

Exposure Compensation: Built-in + 1 EV in one third stop increments.

Exposure Range: EV-1 (F/1.4@ 4 sec.) to EV +20 (F/22@ 1/2000) ASA 100 50 mm F/1.4 lens.

ASA/ISO Range: 25-3200 (DIN 15-36) with safety lock.

Film Advance: Single stroke in an arc of 130° with 25° stand off, motorized film advance with
CHINON POWER WINDER (PW-535).

Multiple Exposure: Built-in switch which disengages film advance and frame counter. Automatically resets to
normal position after each film advancement. UNLIMITED.

Film Counter: Automatically indicates number of exposures and resets to "S" when camera back is opened.
Does not advance during multiple exposure.

Self-Timer: Electronically controlled at 5 or 10 seconds with flashing red LED indicator together with a piezo
ceramic buzzer (audible signal). Two seconds before exposure flashing frequency of red LED increases. Self-
timer can be cancelled even after system has been activated.

Film Rewind: By depressing the rewind button and cranking the rewind lever. Rewind button automatically
resets when the film advance lever is turned.

Accessory Shoe: Hot shoe type with X sync. and contact for CHINON dedicated flash.

Synchronization: "X" strobe sync. at 1/60 sec.

Flash System: CHINON dedicated flash or most convention flashes.

Special Contacts for CHINON AF lens: Built-in with AF indicator in viewfinder (green LED). The shutter is
not activated unless the lens is set to the correct focusing distance.

Special Contacts for CHINON Auto Date: Built-in

Power Source: Two 1.5V Alkaline batteries (SL44 A76) or silver oxide batteries (G-13, LR44, MS76).

Battery Test: Built-in with LED indicator.

Body Finish: Black.

Accessories: CHINON Power Winders (PW-535 & PW-545), dedicated flashes, Info Back-2 data imprinting
unit, Auto Date Quartz digital data imprinting unit, Super multi-coated lenses, Auto focus lenses, Deluxe
carrying cases and many more.

Body Dimensions: 135.5 x 88 x 50.5 mm 5.33(W) x 3.46(H) x 1.99(D)".

Body Weight: 490 grams (1 lbs. 1 oz).

LENS MOUNTING





Your CHINON CE-5 is equipped with a CHINON bayonet mount which accepts all interchangeable lenses with
the bayonet mount. To attach the lens, match the red dot on the camera body with the red dot on the lens (Fig.
1). Then insert the lens into the camera body and turn it clockwise until the lens locks with a click. 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. 2).

BATTERY INSTALLATION





Using a coin, unlock the battery chamber cover by turning it counterclockwise. Place two 1 .5V Alkaline
batteries (SR-44, A-76) or equivalent (G-13, LR-44, MS-76) in the battery chamber with the negative (-) side
facing downwards , or contacting the battery cap since the camera is now upside down for this installation (Fig.
3). Carefully insert the batteries into the camera body. Replace and tighten the cover securely by turning it
clockwise (Fig. 4). NOTE: Clean the batteries with a dry cloth or paper before inserting and thereafter at
regular intervals. Make sure that the batteries are inserted correctly, i.e., check polarity. The shutter will operate
only when batteries are correctly installed and not exhausted.


 Body Grip (Spare battery storage compartment)





Your CHINON CE-5 camera has a convenient spare battery storage compartment. You may store one set (2
pcs) of spare batteries in the storage compartment. To remove the body grip turn the screw on the bottom of the
body grip counterclockwise until it stops and remove the body grip from the body (Fig. 5). Insert the batteries
separately into the holes provided on the grip. Replace and tighten the body grip by turning it clockwise . To
remove the batteries from the compartment, pull out on the battery holding lever (Fig. 6).

 BATTERY TESTING





Set the shutter speed dial to any shutter speed setting (except "B" and "OFF" position) (Fig. 7), and 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 potential is high enough), at least one of LED indicators (except the top
two LED's) will light up. (Fig. 8) If a LED fails to illuminate, the batteries are too weak and need to be replaced,
they are incorrectly inserted, or the shutter speed dial is set in "OFF" or "B".

FILM LOADING





Pull out the film rewind knob until the camera back pops open (Fig. 9). Then drop a film cartridge into the film
chamber with its protruding end facing the bottom of the camera (Fig. 10). Push in the film rewind knob and
slightly turn the knob in either direction until it catches the film cartridge spool. Insert the trimmed end of the
film into a slot of the multi-slotted take-up spool.





Turn the shutter speed selector to any setting except "AUTO" or "OFF" and advance the film while holding the
film lightly down on to the transport sprockets. Release the shutter if necessary and advance the film until the
sprockets engage with the upper and lower perforations of the film (Fig. 11). Then close the camera back firmly
until it locks with a click. Now turn the film rewind knob gently until all the slack is taken up and the rewind
knob stops. Do not force or further rewind the film (Fig. 12).





Advance the film and release the shutter three times (Fig. 13). The rewind knob should rotate counterclockwise
as the film is advanced and the "1 " marking should appear in the frame counter window (Fig. 14).

Turn the shutter speed dial to the "AUTO" position (Fig. 15). A convenient memo holder is provided on the
back of your camera. Whenever you load new film, just cut off the top of the film box and put it in the memo
holder as a reminder. (Fig. 1 6).

FRAME COUNTER





Your CHINON CE-5 is equipped with a frame counter which displays the number of exposures made and resets
automatically upon opening the camera back.

At the very beginning the counter shows "S" indicating the start of the picture taking process. When a film is
loaded according to the procedure previously described, the counter displays "1 " indicating that 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. 17).

FILM ADVANCEMENT
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. Refer to "UNLOADING EXPOSED FILM."

ASA SETTING





The film speed dial located on top of the camera is coupled directly to the internal exposure control circuitry
and the correct exposure factor for the film is automatically set by aligning the ASA number of the film you are
using with the index mark on the camera body (Fig. 18). The ASA number of the film is printed on the film box
or in the instruction sheet packed with the film. Pull out the film speed dial and turn the dial to align the
appropriate ASA number with the green index mark. Be sure to check the ASA number whenever you put new
film into the camera.

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 it is 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 setting 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).

AUTO FOCUSING





Your CHINON CE-5 has built-in AF electronic contacts which activate CHINON 35 - 70mm Auto Focus Lens
by depressing the shutter release button of the camera or the Auto Focus Button on the auto focus lens unit. To
activate the AF system, operate the film advance lever, look through the viewfinder, center the subject by
utilizing the split image with microprism collar in the viewfinder, then depressing the shutter release button
halfway. The focusing ring will automatically rotate until the subject is in focus (Fig. 22). You may also focus
by depressing the auto focus button on the auto focus lens unit. When the camera is in focus, the green AF LED
in the viewfinder will glow (Fig. 23) and the shutter can be released.
[Webmaster: the auto focus lens described are very rare and hard to find]

AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE





Your CHINON CE-5 features TTL, center weighted full aperture light measuring automatic exposure control.
As long as the shutter speed dial is set in "AUTO" you don't have to worry about the exposure factor (Fig. 24).
The sensitive and accurate internal circuitry will compute the correct exposure for the photographic condition
and control the shutter speeds steplessly from a 4 sec. time exposure to a fast 1/2000 sec. When the shutter
release button is depressed halfway, the exposure control circuit is energized and will be in the monitoring stage
(Fig. 25).





You can see the computerized shutter speed displayed in the viewfinder by red, yellow and green LED's (Fig.
26). If the lens F stop or the aperture size is too large for the lighting condition, the red over exposure indicator
(third from the top of the scale) will glow (Fig. 27). 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 an ND (neutral
density) filter in front of the lens. They are available as accessories from your local dealer. If the displayed
speed is 1/30 or slower (Yellow LED's), use of a tripod is recommended, or you can

I increase the shutter speed by opening the lens diaphragm. Use of a flash unit is also suggested (refer to
"CHINON Dedicated Flash System"). If the computed shutter speed is even longer than 4 sec. (semi darkness
condition), the under exposure indicator (Red LED) at the bottom of the scale will light up when the available
light is less than -1 EV (Fig. 28).

F STOP SELECTION

The following may be used as a guide to determine the lens F stop when you are using the camera in the
automatic mode.
Sunny day outside . F/8 - F/ 11
 Cloudy day outside . F/4 - F/5.6
 Inside (without flash . F/1.4 - F/ 2.8

APERTURE WINDOW

Your CHINON CE-5 camera employs an aperture readout feature which is visible in the viewfinder (Fig. 29).
This information is helpful to the photographer in determining depth of field in relationship to the aperture
without having to take the camera away from the eye. Now with the full information viewfinder of the CE-5,
the photographer not only knows the shutter speed selected by the built-in computerized exposure system, but
also knows the aperture being selected. [Mike: this is done with a mirror above the lens aperture, you must have
bright light to see the reflection]

The photographer can determine the exact amount of depth of field by depressing the convenient depth-of-field
lever before taking the photograph. If more or less depth of field is required, all the photographer has to do is
rotate the aperture ring of the lens to the desired setting. As the lens aperture ring is being rotated, the changing
apertures will be visible in the viewfinder. The aperture readout feature is also useful when operating the
camera with an automatic flash. Now the photographer can visually check in the viewfinder that the aperture is
correctly set to correspond with the proper automatic flash setting.

SHUTTER RELEASE AND RELEASE LOCK





Your CHINON CE-5 features a two stage electromagnetic shutter release with safety lock. When the shutter
release button is depressed half way, 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. The position marked "OFF" on the shutter speed dial is the shutter release safety
lock position. When this is aligned with the index mark, the batteries are disconnected from the circuit and
exposure cannot be made (Fig. 30). This position is also used when the camera is not to be used for a long time.

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. 31). Unfold the rewind crank of the rewind knob (Fig. 32). Turn the rewind crank
clockwise. You will feel friction as the film is rewound. Suddenly, when the film is rewound completely, the
friction decreases and the rewind crank will turn with ease. Then pull out the rewind knob to open the camera

back (Fig. 33).





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 upon the next advancement of the film advance lever. Your
exposed film should be processed without delay.

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 the 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. 34
and 35).

Visible Check in the Viewfinder Set the lens at a selected lens opening on the f/stop ring. Depress the depth of
field lever and observe the subject through the viewfinder. This will enable you to preview the area of sharpness
in the picture before shooting. (Fig. 36)

 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. 37). NOTE: Do not depress the
shutter release button while depressing the depth of field lever.

USING A TRIPOD
The tripod socket at the base of the CHINON camera is designed to accept standard tripod threads having a
depth no greater than 5.5 mm (0.22 inch). To prevent any possibility of damage to the camera's internal
mechanism, DO NOT use tripods with longer mounting screws and always avoid over tightening.

SELF TIMER





Your CHINON CE-5 is equipped with a two stage electronic self timer with a red LED indicator together with a
piezo ceramic buzzer (audible signal). The built-in self timer electronically delays the shutter release for 5 or 10
seconds. First select the desired delay' by rotating the self timer dial (Fig. 38). The camera should be mounted
on a firm support during self timer operation. Now to activate the system simply depress the shutter release
button. 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 or to change the delay time, you" can cancel or rest the
timer even after the function is indicated. Just return the dial to normal position for cancellation and reset the
time again

NOTE: Change of delay time can only be made after cancellation.

MANUAL EXPOSURE





By moving the shutter speed dial off the "AUTO" seeing manual shutter speeds can be set. There are two
methods of selecting the correct exposure.
1. Set the required shutter speed on the dial. While depressing the shutter release button until the meter
activates, observe the flashing LED in the viewfinder. Rotate the lens aperture ring until the second LED aligns
with the flashing shutter speed LED on the scale in the viewfinder (Fig. 39).

2. Set the required aperture on the lens. Depress the shutter release button until the meter activates and observe
which shutter speed is indicated in the viewfinder by an LED. You will also observe a flashing LED in the
viewfinder. By adjusting the shutter speed until both LED's are coincident, correct exposure will result
 (Fig. 40).

 Time Exposure (Night Photography)





Set the shutter speed dial to the "B" position. The shutter mirror will reflex 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
vibration during time exposures. (Fig. 41 )

MULTIPLE EXPOSURE





Another attractive feature of your CHINON CE-5 is the built-in unlimited multiple exposure provision. The
multiple exposure lever is located in front of the film advance lever (Fig. 42). When you activate the film
advance lever simply press and hold the multiple exposure lever to the left. This lever should be held
throughout the film advancement. By doing so the film advance mechanism and the film counter will be
disengaged. Only the shutter will be charged when the film advance lever is activated. Therefore, the film will
not advance and you can make unlimited multiple exposures on any single frame. NOTE: You can make
multiple exposures as many times as you wish. However, each time the multiple exposure lever must be held
before and throughout the film advancement.

EXPOSURE MEMORY





Under normal circumstances your CHINON CE-5 camera will produce perfectly exposed photographs, due to
the integrated automatic exposure circuit. However, some lighting conditions might occur that could misguide
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. Focus the Subject. Make sure that the shutter speed dial is set to the "AUTO" position. (Fig. 43).





2. Depress the shutter release button half way and measure the light on the main part of the subject you want to
shoot excluding all unnecessary light from the side or background (Fig. 44). Then press the exposure memory
button once which will instantly memorize the light value of the subject (Fig. 45). Once the button is
depressed, there is no need to hold the exposure memory button further as long as the shutter release button is
depressed halfway.

3. Compose the subject in the viewfinder as you desire (Fig. 46). Then press the shutter release button all the
way to take the photograph. The shutter speed indicator (LED) in the viewfinder will flash signaling the
"memorized" shutter speed once the exposure memory button is depressed.

EXPOSURE COMPENSATION





Your CHINON CE-5 camera incorporates an exposure compensation dial which can be utilized for special
purposes such as bracketing exposure, compensation for back-lit or spot-lit situations. If you would prefer
darker or brighter pictures than those obtained by the automatic exposure, this feature is very helpful. You can
change the exposure factor up to one full stop either plus or minus in 1/3 EV increments. Pull out and turn the
Fill speed dial to the desired position (Fig. 47). NOTE: After exposures have been made, be sure to return the
dial to the normal exposure position.

(1 ) - 1 EV over
(2) - 2/3EV over
(3) - 1 /3EV over
(4) -Normal exposure
(5) - 1 /3EV under
(6) - 2/3EV under
(7) -1 EV under

THE FLASH SYSTEM





Specially designed and developed automatic flash units are available for your CHINON CE-5 as accessories.
This highly advanced dedicated flash system permits carefree flash photography. You no longer have to alter
the shutter speed dial from any 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 ON position the flash ready-light will illuminate.
CHINON CE-5 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 and the flash ready indicator
(green and red LED's) will glow signaling the camera flash are ready to operate (Fig. 48).





After the picture has been taken and before the flash has recycled, the camera will automatically switch to the
automatic or manual mode until the flash has once again recycled. In this case, your flash must be set to the
"AUTO" position.