Chinon CE MEMOTRON User manual

Type 35mm Single Lens Reflex Camera with electronically controlled exposure system, fully automatic
aperture-priority type.

Picture size 24mm x 36mm.

Film 35mm cartridge film.

Lens mount Pentax/Praktica mount.

Viewfinder visibility 92% of negative size.

Mirror Quick return system.

Shutter Metal focal plane, vertical path, electromagnetically controlled.

Shutter speeds Auto 2 sees - 1/2000 sec (stepless).

Manual B,1 sec-1/2000 see, and "X".

Mechanical shutter operation at ''X" (1/90 see).

Exposure meter TTL center weighted measuring system employing two Silicon blue cells.
Automatic exposure range of EV 0-19 with ASA 100 (2 sees at f/1.4 to 1/2000 see at f/16).
ASA range 25 -  3200.www.4.butkus.org

Film wind Single stroke in an arc of 134° with 20° play.

Film counter Automatically indicates number of exposures and resets to zero when the camera back is opened.

Self-timer 6-10 seconds.

Exposure memory Push button with lock in conjunction with shutter release button.

Indication by a green signal lamp. (click on image below to enlarge)





Film rewind Folding crank type.

Accessory shoe Built in hot shoe.

Synchronization FP and X (X=1/90 see).

Multiple exposure Multiple exposure provision.

Power source 6V silver oxide battery (Eveready No. 544 or equivalent).       4www.butkus.org

Viewfinder blind Built in viewfinder blind to prevent extraneous light from affecting the meter reading when
the camera is used away from the eye.

Battery test Indication by a green signal lamp.

Dimensions (Body only) 145mm (W) x 97mm (H) x 54.5mm (D).

Weight (Body only) 760 gr.   (click on image below to enlarge image)

To install battery: (CLICK ON FIGURE LINKS TO SEE THE IMAGES)

1. Using a coin, unlock the battery chamber cover by turning it counterclockwise.

2. Place the 6V silver oxide battery with the minus ( - ) side facing upwards as indicated by the symbol in the
battery chamber (Fig. 1).





3. Replace the battery compartment cover by turning fully clockwise (Fig. 2).

Note:
Clean the battery with a dry cloth or paper before inserting and thereafter at regular intervals. Make sure that the
battery is inserted correctly, i.e. check polarity.
The shutter will operate only when a battery is installed, except for the ''X'' (1/'90 sec.) position.

To test battery:

Test the battery when: www.4.butkus.org
A new battery is installed.
The camera is not used for a long period of time.
The camera is being used continuously for many hours.





To test the battery, set the shutter speed dial to the "Auto" position (Fig. 3). Wind the film advance lever and
press the shutter release button half way. If the battery is in good condition, the green lamp in the viewfinder
frame will go on. When the green lamp does not go on, replace the battery (Fig. 4, 5).

Note:
Every time a photograph is taken in the auto mode, the green lamp should go on, indicating that the battery is
still in good condition. When the indicator lamp fails to go on, replace the battery at once.

Use 20 or 36-exposure 35mm film.





1. Pull out the film rewind knob until the camera back is released, (Fig. 6) then swing the camera back fully
open.

2. Keep the film rewind knob pulled all the way out, insert the film cartridge into the film chamber with the
protruding end towards the base of the camera. Push in the film rewind knob (Fig. 7)
It may be found necessary to turn the knob slightly so that the rewind shaft engages the film cartridge spool.
Insert the trimmed end of the film into the slot of the take up spool. Holding the film lightly down onto the
transport sprockets, operate the film advance lever. Having checked that the upper and lower film perforations
have engaged the transport sprockets. close the camera back firmly (Fig. 8).

Note: Do not load or unload the camera in bright sunlight.





To make sure the film has been loaded properly, operate the film advance lever through a full stroke (Fig. 9).
Now turn the rewind knob clockwise until resistance is felt. Do not force it. Keep observing film rewind knob;
it should turn counterclockwise every time the film is advanced.
Operate the film advance lever and release shutter until figure "1 " is opposite the pointer in the frame counter
window. The camera is now ready for the first exposure (Fig. 10).

Note: When the shutter release button lock lever is engaged, the shutter cannot be released. Turn the lever to the
left to unlock (Fig. 11).



Important:
Set the shutter speed dial to the "X" position when making two blank exposures to dispose of the first few
inches of film which were exposed during loading. After the film counter indicates you are ready to take the
first exposure, be sure to return the shutter speed dial to the "Auto'' position.





The ASA/DIN speed of the film is indicated on the film box or in the instruction sheet packed with the film.
Select the desired ASA/DIN speed the ASA selection pin until the appropriate ASA number appears in the
ASA dial window, (Fig. 12) and then align the ASA/DIN number with the white index line on the camera top
cover by turning the ASA/DIN dial.

The CHINON CE II Memotron camera is equipped with an electromagnetically controlled shutter for either
automatic or manual exposure control.

To set the camera for automatic shutter speed selection rotate the shutter speed dial until the ''Auto" mark is
opposite the index line on the camera body (Fig. 13). To set it for manual exposure control, turn the shutter
speed dial until the desired shutter speed is lined up with the index mark on the camera body.





The aperture is set in the usual way by rotating the lens aperture ring until the required F-stop is set against the
red diamond index, mark on the lens barrel (Fig. 14). With the shutter speed dial set at "Auto" the electronic
metering system will set the corresponding shutter speed to ensure correct exposure of the film.





Set the AM (Auto/Manual) lever on the lens to the "Auto" position (Fig.15, 16). Observing the subject through
the viewfinder, turn the focusing ring on the lens until the image in the microprism disc in the center of the
viewfinder appears crisp and clear (Fig. 17,18). Once this point is reached it is advisable to continue turning
the ring through the area of sharpest focus and then back again. This procedure ensures without doubt that the
image is at its sharpest.

Scale focusing

The distance scale may also be used for focusing. Estimate or measure the camera-to-subject distance in feet or
meters, then set the focusing ring to this figure (Fig. 19).





The meter on/off switch is incorporated in the winding mechanism. It is therefore necessary to advance the film
advance lever before proceeding. Set the shutter speed dial to ''Auto" (Fig. 20) and select the aperture
according to your purpose for shooting the picture. Focus the subject. Depress the shutter release button as
slowly and smoothly as possible. When the shutter release button is half way depressed, the exposure meter
needle will indicate the correct shutter speed figure according to the light value which corresponds to the chosen
aperture value (Fig. 21). Further depression of the shutter release button will release the shutter at the shutter
speed indicated in the viewfinder.


Exposure Meter Needle 1. Over exposure:





Over exposure will be indicated by the meter needle moving into the upper striped area of the viewfinder scale
(Fig. 22). Should this occur the lens aperture must be reduced until the needle enters the shutter speed scale. If
the needle will still not enter the scale a neutral density filter must be used.

2. Correct exposure:
While the exposure meter needle stays within the scale (arrow marked) correct exposure will result. www.4.butkus.org It will be
found when handling the camera that automatic shutter speed selection is a function of the aperture and the
ASA values chosen. As the lens aperture is altered the shutter speed will alter accordingly. Therefore if the
camera selects a speed that is considered unsuitable for the subject to be photographed, altar the aperture until a
suitable shutter speed is selected.
Should the meter needle move below 1/30 sec. then the use of a tripod is recommended, providing that a larger
aperture cannot be set (Fig. 23).


3. Under exposure:





Under exposure will be indicated by the meter needle moving into the lower striped area of the viewfinder
shutter speed scale (Fig. 24). To compensate open up the lens aperture until the needle moves back onto the
scale. Should the needle still not re-enter the scale additional lighting or a flash unit must be used.

When the red figure " 20 " or " 36 " (20 or 36 exposures) appears against the index mark in the frame counter
window, the end of the film has been reached.


Steps for Unloading the Camera:





1. Press in the rewind release button on the camera bottom (Fig. 25).

2. Lift up the rewind crank on the rowing knob

3. Turn the rewind crank in a clockwise direction (Fig. 26). Tension will be felt as the film is being rewound
into the cartridge. Stop rewinding when the tension ceases. Open the camera back by pulling out the rewind
knob all the way and lift out the film cartridge (Fig. 27).





The rewind button on the camera bottom will snap back into position when the film advance lever is next
operated. Have the  fun.www.4.butkus.org





The CHINON CEII Memotron is equipped with a thread mount which accepts any interchangeable lens with the
Pentax/Practica thread mount. To remove the lens, keep turning the lens counter clockwise until it is separated
from the camera body (Fig. 28, 29).

Note: Do not remove or replace the lens while camera is functioning.

In normal use the CHINON CE II Memotron will produce perfectly exposed photographs, due to the
automatic exposure system incorporated in the camera.

However some lighting conditions will occur that could misguide the system. Subjects with very high contrast
or strongly back-lit are examples. Such misguidance occurs with electronic shutter cameras since the exposure
system continuously

follows the fluctuations of light intensity up until the very instant that the exposure is made. To overcome these
conditions a memory lock has been incorporated. w ww.4.butkus.org

Steps for using the exposure memory:

1. Focus the subject. Make sure that the shutter speed dial is set at the "Auto" position.





2. Press 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. 30, 31, Fig. 32). Then press the
exposure memory button which will instantly memorize the light value on the subject (Fig, 33) and twist the
memory button backward until it is locked. When the memory button is locked, the green lamp in the
viewfinder will go on.





After the exposure return the memory button to its original position. When the memory button is released the
green lamp is turned off.

3. With the exposure memory button locked compose the subject in the viewfinder as you desire (Fig. 35). and
press the, shutter release button all the way to take the photograph.

Note: The exposure memory system will be erased by releasing the exposure memory button before shooting.
The memorization only functions by simultaneous operation of the shutter release button and the exposure
memory button.

For special purposes such as multiple exposure, exposure compensation can be accomplished by resetting the
ASA/DIN dial. The following guide will be found useful in determining the correct length of exposure (Fig. 38)

(1) white index 2/3 over exposure





(2) white index 1/3 over exposure (Fig. 36)

(3) red index 1x correct exposure

(4) white index 1/3 under exposure

(5) white index 2/3 under exposure (Fig. 37)





As an example if over exposure to the extent of x 2/3 is required, set 100 ASA to the red index (1). With this
method it is possible to compensate from 40 to 250 ASA (Fig. 38). After the exposure has been made the ASA
number must be returned to the red index mark.


By moving the shutter speed dial off the "Auto'' setting manual shutter speeds are 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 observe the meter in the
viewfinder. Rotate the lens aperture ring until the needle aligns with the corresponding shutter speed figure on
the scale in the viewfinder (Fig. 39).

2. Set the required aperture on the lens. Slightly depress the release button and observe which shutter speed is
indicated in the viewfinder. Set this speed on the shutter speed dial.
If for special purposes it is necessary to either under or over expose the photograph, proceed by either of the
previous methods. Then rotate the lens aperture ring to bring the meter needle above the shutter speed indicated
in the viewfinder. This will produce over exposure.
Conversely if the needle is brought below the indicated shutter speed then under exposure will result.


The Manual shutter speeds can be used for:
1. A particular shutter speed that is required and beyond the coupling range of the meter, e.g. 1 sec exposure at
3200 ASA.

2. Exposure compensation.www.4.butkus.org

3. '' B " (" Time'' exposures longer than that possible in the Auto mode).

4. Flash synchronization (''X'').





Caution: Get into the habit of immediately returning the shutter speed dial to the "Auto'' position after using the
manual mode to avoid possible future incorrect exposures (Fig. 40).


Mechanical shutter operation:

Since the "X'' (1/90 see) position employs a mechanical shutter, it is usable even when the battery is dead.
Setting the shutter speed dial to the "X'' position whenever loading the camera with film or operating the shutter
in an unloaded camera will also save unnecessary battery retrain:
When desired, the shutter can be cocked without transporting the film.

This feature enables making double or multiple exposures on a single frame of film.
Take the first picture in the normal way. Before moving the film advance lever, slide the multiple exposure
switch to the left, as far as it will go (Fig. 41). A red signal appears in the window indicating that the film
advance lever can be wound, but it will only cock the shutter and not transport the film.

Depress the shutter release to make a second exposure on the same frame. Operating the shutter release returns
the multiple exposure knob automatically to its original position to prevent accidental multiple exposures. If a
third exposure is desired on the same frame, just move the multiple exposure knob to the left once more, operate
the film advance lever to cock the shutter, then depress shutter release. This procedure can be repeated to obtain
any number of exposures on the same frame of film.


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.
42, 43).

Visible check in the viewfinder:

Set the lens at selected lens opening on the F stop ring. Depress the shutter release button half way and observe
the subject through viewfinder. This will enable you to preview the area of sharpness in the picture before
shooting.

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