Chinon CM-7 User manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                        Release Lock ............... 24

Nomenclature ............... 2               Exposure Setting I ........ 26

Specifications ................ 6               Exposure Setting II ....... 30

Lens Mounting .............10               Focusing ..................... 34

Installing the batteries ... 12             Unloading Exposed Film ... 36

Battery Testing ................... 14         "B" (Bulb) Setting ......... 38

Film Loading ................ 16                 Self Timer ................... 40

Frame Counter ............. 20               Flash Photography ........ 42

Advancing the Film ....... 22             Depth of Field ................ 44

Film Speed Setting ....... 22               Infrared Photography ..... 46

                                       Optional Accessories ..... 48

23. Rewind button
17. Rewind shaft
                                                  24. Film rail
18. Viewfinder eyepiece
                                                  25. Film guide rail
19. Sprocket teeth
                                                  26. Tripod socket
20. Take-up spool
                                                  27. Shutter
21. Film pressure plate
                                                  28. Battery compartment cover
22. Back cover
                                                  29. Film chamber




SPECIFICATION

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

Picture Format: 24 x 36 mm.

Lens Mount: Chinon universal bayonet mount (K, KA, RK mount compatible).

Shutter: Vertical run metal focal plane shutter, mechanical release.

Shutter Speeds: 1 -1/2000 sec., "B".

Flash Synchronization: Hot-shoe, X contact, 1/125 sec.

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

Viewfinder Magnification: 0.86x (@50 mm, infinity)

Viewfinder Visibility: 93%

Dioptric Factor: - 1.0 diopter

Displays in Viewfinder: Red + mark LED (overexposure), green (dot) mark LED (correct exposure),
  red (dot) mark LED (under exposure)

Exposure Metering: TTL center weighted full aperture system employing one CdS,
  3-step exposure indicator with 3 LEDs.

Exposure Range: EV +3 - EV +20 (F1.4 50 mm, ISO 100).

ISO Range: 25-1600 (DIN 15-33) by 1/3 step.

Film Advance: Single stroke in an arc of 130° with 30° stand off.

Film Counter: Automatically indicates number of exposures and resets to "S" when
  camera back is opened.

Film Loading: Multi-slot take-up spool type.

Film Rewind: By depressing the rewind button and cranking the rewind lever.

Release Lock: Shutter release button is interlocked with the advance lever stored
   at unused position.

Cable Release: Possible.

Self-Timer: Built in, approximately 10 sec. delay.

Power Source: Two 1.5V alkaline batteries (LR44) or silver oxide batteries (SR44).

Body Dimensions: 133(W) x 85(H) x 50(D) mm. (5.24" x 3.35" x 1.97")

Body Weight: 410 grams (14.5 oz).

LENS MOUNTING





Your CM-7 is equipped with a CHINON "K" bayonet mount which accepts all interchangeable lenses with the
"K" bayonet. To attach the lens, match the red dot on the camera body and turn it clockwise until the lens locks
with a click. To remove the lens from the camera body, depress the lens lock release lever, turn the lens
counterclockwise as far as it will go and lift it up from the body (Fig. 1, 2).


INSTALLING THE BATTERIES





1. By using a coin, unlock the battery compartment cover by turning it counterclockwise (Fig. 3).

2. Place two 1.5 V alkaline batteries (LR44, A76) or two 1.5 V silver oxide batteries (SR44, S76, G13) with the
minus (-) side touching the cap (Fig. 4).

3. Turn the battery compartment cover clockwise until it closes firmly (Fig. 5). 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 the batteries are correctly installed and not
exhausted. Keep the batteries out of reach of children.

BATTERY TESTING





Pull the film advance lever to the stand-off position or fully wind it to activate the meter switch, and set the
shutter speed dial to any setting other than "B" and press halfway the shutter release button. If the batteries are
in good condition, one of the three LED's located inside the viewfinder will illuminate (Fig. 6). If an LED fails
to illuminate, the batteries are too weak and need to be replaced, or are incorrectly installed.


FILM LOADING





Your CM-7 camera can be used with any kind of 35 mm film.

        1. Pull up the film rewind knob until the camera back pops open (Fig. 7)

        2. Then, insert a film cartridge into the film chamber with the protruding end of the cartridge positioned
      toward the bottom of the camera.

        3. Push down the film rewind knob and slightly turn the knob in either direction until it "seats" properly
        into the film cartridge spool (Fig. 8).

4. Insert the trimmed end of the film into one of the slots on the take-up spool (Fig. 9).

5. Turn the shutter speed dial to any setting and advance the film while holding the film lightly down on
to the transport sprocket teeth.

6. Release the shutter if necessary and advance the film until the sprocket teeth engage with the upper
and lower perforations of the film (Fig. 10).

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

8. Turn the film rewind knob gently clockwise until all the slack is taken up and the rewind knob stops.
Do not force or further rewind the film (Fig. 11).





9. Advance the film and release the shutter three times (Fig. 12).


The rewind knob should rotate counter clockwise as the film is advanced and the "1" (between O
and 2) marking should appear in the frame counter window after "O" (Fig. 13).

FRAME COUNTER





Your CM-7 is equipped with a frame counter which displays the number of exposures made and resets
automatically to "S" (start position) upon opening the back cover.
When a film is loaded according to the procedure previously described, the counter displays "1" (between 0 and
2) 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 number 12, 20, 24 and 36 are colored in red to warn the end of
commonly available films (Fig. 14).
ADVANCING THE FILM

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. Refer to "Unloading Exposed Film".

FILM SPEED SETTING





The film speed is specified on the box or in the instruction sheet packed with the film. Set the film speed (ISO
number) index by turning the film speed dial according to the value indicated on the film (Fig. 15).


RELEASE LOCK





Pull the film advance lever to the stand-off position (Fig. 16) or fully wind it to activate the meter switch when
taking pictures. When the film advance lever is returned to the storage position (Fig. 17) the shutter is locked to
prevent accidental release. When not in use, return the film advance lever to this original position.

EXPOSURE SETTING I

(emphasizing shutter speed)





        1. Place the film advance lever in the ready position (the stand-off position) and rotate the shutter speed
        dial so that the indicator white line aligns with the desired shutter speed value. When the dial is set at

intermediate positions of the index, the shutter speeds will be incorrect. Be sure that the dial clicks at the
       position where the white line aligns with the desired shutter speed. When the dial set is at the "B" (bulb)
        position, exposure metering is not possible.

        2. With brighter subjects, fast moving subjects or with high rated film speeds, it is recommended to use
        fast (higher) shutter speeds.





        3. To adjust exposure, depress the shutter release button halfway and rotate the aperture ring until the
       green ~ mark lights up in the viewfinder. When the red + or - mark lights up, rotate the lens aperture
       ring to have a greater or smaller F- number, respectively.


A: Over Exposure B: Correct Exposure C: Under Exposure


EXPOSURE SETTING II

(emphasizing aperture)

        1. Place the film advance lever in the ready position (stand-off position) and rotate the lens aperture ring
        until the index on the lens barrel indicates the desired f-stop.

2. The suitable aperture value changes according to the brightness of the subject, the depth-of-field
        desired, or the film speed or shutter speed in use. The typical settings of the aperture with ISO 100/21°
       film are as follows:

      * Sunny day outside: F/8 - F/16

      * Cloudy day outside: F/4 - F/5.6

      * Inside (without flash): F/1.9 - F/2.8


        3. To monitor exposure, depress the 3 shutter release button halfway and rotate the shutter speed dial
        until the green ~ mark lights up in the viewfinder. When the red + or - mark lights up, rotate the shutter
       speed dial to have a faster or slower shutter speed, respectively. Make sure the shutter speed dial clicks
        into the closest shutter speed mark.





          A: Over Exposure
           B: Correct Exposure
          C: Under Exposure





FOCUSING

1. At the center of the viewfinder is the split image with microprism collar which is then surrounded by
       a ground glass. When the camera is in focus, the image on these focusing aids becomes sharpest.





        2. Turn the lens focus ring until the upper and lower split images match up to form a uniform image
        (Fig. 18). This split image focusing is particularly helpful when the subject is dominated by vertical
        lines.

        3. The microprism is also very helpful. When out of focus, the image on the microprism will appear to
      shimmer (Fig. 19).





        4. When the focus is properly set, the subject image will be sharply defined in the viewfinder. 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.
        20).





UNLOADING EXPOSED FILM

1. 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 it with a new one.





2. Push in the rewind button on the bottom of the camera (Fig. 21).

3. Unfold the rewind crank on the rewind knob. Turn the rewind crank clockwise (Fig. 22).

4. When the pressure eases, the film is completely wound into the film cartridge.

5. Lift up the rewind knob to open the camera back (Fig. 23). Your exposed film should be processed
without delay.





"B" (BULB) SETTING





The B setting is used for shooting night scenes or long time exposure. Set the shutter speed dial to the
"B" position (Fig. 24).
The shutter and mirror will move to the open (up) position as long as the shutter release button is
depressed. Use of a cable release and a tripod is recommended for stability to prevent camera movement

during time exposures.

SELF-TIMER
        1. Wind the film advance lever and fully turn the self-timer lever counterclockwise.
        The self-timer is now ready for use (Fig. 25).





        2. Press the shutter release button and the self-timer will release the shutter in approximately 10 seconds.

        3. Once the self-timer is set, it must be activated. Cancellation is not possible.

        4. The self-timer is very useful when you wish to include yourself in a picture.
              It is also useful for taking pictures at slow shutter speeds when a cable release is not available.

NOTE: When using the self-timer, the camera should be mounted on a tripod, or some kind of solid
support.

FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY





It is advisable to use a flash when the exposure indicators in the viewfinder show that the light level is too low,
such as indoors, at night time, or in daylight when the subject is too dimly lit to provide adequate exposure.
Electronic flash units as well as conventional flash units using flash bulbs may be utilized. The CM-7 has a shoe
(accessory shoe with a built-in flash contact) for "X" synchronization (Fig. 26). 1. Set the shutter speed dial at
1/125 second or lower (Fig. 27). 2. The lens aperture is determined by the calculation table indicated on the
flash unit. Follow the instructions given in the instruction manual of your flash unit.

DEPTH OF FIELD





"Depth of field" designates the nearest and furthest limits of the area that will be sharply defined in the picture
in front of and beyond the subject. Depth of field is controlled by the f-stop ring on the lens. The larger the lens
opening (f-stop), the shallower is the depth of field. The smaller the lens opening, the greater the deph of field
will become (Fig. 28).

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 greatest sharpness in your picture (Fig. 29).


INFRARED PHOTOGRAPHY





If you intend to take infrared photographs using infrared film and either an R2 or 02 filter, an extra focusing
adjustment must be made. After focusing note the distance setting aligned with the focus index, and move that
figure over to the red infrared mark engraved on the lens (Fig. 30). Focus adjustment is not required when using
infrared color films. NOTE: Read the instructions packed with the infrared film for further information.


OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

      * Standard Lens 50 mm f/1.4 multicoated
      * 50 mm f/1.7 multicoated
      * 50 mm f/1.9

Wide-angle Lens

17 mm f/3.5 multicoated
28 mm f/2.8 multicoated

Telephoto Lens

135 mm t/2.8 multicoated

Zoom Lens

28-70 mm f/3.5-4.5 multicoated MACRO
35-70 mm f/3.4-4.5 multicoated MACRO
35-80 mm f/3.5-4.8 multicoated MACRO
35-105 mm f/3.5-4.5 multicoated MACRO
35-200 mm f/4.0-5.6 multicoated MACRO
70-210 mm f/4.0-5.6 multicoated MACRO
75-300 mm f/5.6 multicoated MACRO

Accessories

CHINON AUTO "S" series flashes Auto extension ring
Bellows
Deluxe carrying case Soft gadget bag
Wide band strap with CHINON logo