Mark's Chinon CP-7M no2 Page
Released 1986.1-27-24: Bought this camera with a Chinon 35-70mm lens, a Chinon S-250 dedicated flash (what I really wanted), a Chinon branded strap and bag, and all the manuals. All tested, no corrosion, and all looking unused. All for around $24 bucks, including freight. You might think "who cares, it's an old Chinon". The answer is: They're more fun to play with. Most still work perfectly, and nobody seems to want them. I already have one that works, so now I have a spare.
Metering: Center weighted meter using silicon blue metering diodes. AE lock button right of lens. DX film coding or manual ISO setting.
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical metal Shutter 8s to 2000th. No mechanical shutter speeds. Built-in intervalometer with 1 second to 90 minutes between shots.
Focus: Manual.
Viewfinder: LCD Finder shows shutter speed and metering, with a horozontal split screen and microprism collar.
Exposure modes: Exposure modes: P, (3 Program modes), A,B,M, no shutter priority.
Flash: Flash sync 125th with dedicated flash, or 1/60th with others. Bought a dedicated Chinon S-250 with this.
Film transport: Motorized film advance and rewind. Multiple exposures.
Batteries: Requires 4 x AA OR a 2CR5 battery.
Lenses: Manual focus Pentax K-mount. This came with a Chinon 35-70mm F3.5-4.6 macro zoom lens.
Accessories: Removable back and take-up spool, although I don't know of any date imprinting or bulk backs yet.
Limitations: No mechanical shutter speeds, dependent on batteries.
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2-6-24: This one arrived a day early, and in like new condition. The whole kit arrived perfectly packed, with all documentation, with a branded strap and bag.
2-9-24: Here's the first roll of Kentmere 100 ASA, developed in Caffenol-C (coffee) for 11 minutes. The camera works perfectly, but the photographer's broken. These were all exposed in Program mode, and all the outdoor shots metered the sky and water just fine, leaving the subject a black silouette. I fiddled with all the outdoor shots to try and improve them. If I improve the subject it blows out the sky and water, so these are a compromise. I really like the clouds and ripples in the water. I must remember to use Exposure Compensation more, which would have the same effect but take less effort that doing each image separately. If I was printing these I could burn and dodge the image to bring out the best of bright and dark areas. I suppose really complicated and expensive softare can do that also. The flash test (dark kitchen) and test pattern came out better, with even light. The Chinon S-250 dedicated flash and Chinon 35-70mm lens came with this camera got their first test.
7-25-25: Rotational shoot using Kentmere ASA 100, developed in Caffenol-C for 13 minutes. Lenses used were a Pentax 50mm F:1.7 (4515), a Tacumar 28mm F:2.8 (6246), and a Chinar 135mm (4822). These were all plain old K-mount lenses, shot in Program mode. I select lenses that have not been used as much yet. I forgot to shoot a flash test this time. For comparison, this roll was shared with the Pentax P3. Temp was around 30 degrees (F), with the ice on the shoreline glinting in the morning sun. The only critters I could find were squirrels.
