Chinon CE-4 + motor winder + Pentax 1,8/50mm bought in 1979, that`s how I started my enthusiastic hobby photography, I used only this through the 1980s mainly for B&W until I bought my dream analog camera, a Nikon F4s which I`m still using today next to my D700 - I was often smiled at because of my unknown Chinon camera, but the technical quality, the specs and the reliability were comparable to all other brands especially at the time nearly any camera body was only used to put a film in and to mount a lens, the rest didn`t matter in most situations, because only the type and the manufacturer of the film itself and the workflows in your dark room or the professional lab were the import aspects for the image quality next to the lens quality or the personal skills of the photographer, you could use any film in any camera so the camera didn`t matter that much, except for such professionals who where sponsored by the manufacturers
In the 70s & 80s Pentax was the only manufacture that licensed its lens mount to other camera makers who wanted to enter into the market. Both Canon & Nikon licensed their mounts, but their contracts often had non-compete clauses which is why you only see third party lenses for those respective brands. Pentax concentrated on the mid-range camera market making models like the ME Super and the LX while other brands such as Sears, Chinon and Ricoh who licensed the K-mount concentrated on the lower end of the market. Often their cameras were made by Cosina who favored plastic bodies & parts with simpler electronics to meet the demand and scale of its clients. This is why they all tend to look and behave similarly to each other. The Chinon CE-4 is basically the Ricoh KR-10 Super except that the KR-10 doesn't have multiple exposure and it activates its meter via a button on the front of the body.
I just googled the Ricoh KR-10 Super and you're right, it's basically the same camera. So many iterations of this camera. I just learnt from someone that the Agfa Selectronic 3 is another clone.
The K-mount is not licenced but open source. It was designed by Zeiss in 1975. Meaning any maker can use the K-mount. Pentax adopted it, as did Chinon. Likewise the earlier M42 Pentax screw (PS) is open source. Chinon was originally a lens and camera components manufacturer. They may have made parts for Cosina. Chinon's own MiJ lenses could rival or surpass Asahi Pentax. A Seiko shutter was state of the art. They produced the first production autofocus lens (don't bother, it's autofocus but not as we know it...). Kodak was the progenitor of the digital sensor. Before they were entirely bought out by Kodak to become Kodak (Japan), Chinon made digital cameras for Kodak. The most popular digital camera in Japan in 2024 is a Kodak Pixpro. The CE-5 with its exposure meter, aperture priority and full manual is quite a big step up from the CE-4.
Cosina made a huge amount of cameras for other brands, from the same parts bin. Ricoh, Pentax, Yashica, Chinon, Miranda, Minolta, Vivitar, even some Nikons. And even more rangefinders in the seventies and zone focus. You wouldn't believe what an enormous company they were at the time.
Totally agree that they're all similar - not only the antique ones but I feel like modern gears are also very similar, technically and visually. Just passed by a couple of your videos and your content is amazing, man! Seriously impressed by your knowledge. New fan - I'm sure I'll be learning a lot from you.
That was my first camera. Loved the power winder. Many of the functions of the MX & ME but cheaper. I used that camera for about 30 years till I went digital. It is still around for when I want to shoot film. Love the video and the camera. :)
Thank you for another interesting video. I have never owned a Chinon nor did I had the opportunity of handling one, but that model looks very small and using it seams pleasurable. The multiple exposure option is an amazing creative tool. Some of my most interesting pictures are those with multiple exposures, longer exposures than the meter would advice, camera deliberate shakes and so on. That camera despite vulgar in design has lots of potential - can't wait to see the results.
I'm thinking on doing some new stuff with it. I'm meeting a friend for coffee in a super hipster place next week, so I may do some food photography with it :)
Chinon was particularly guilty of copying Pentax. The Memotron CE and the Memotron CE II cameras were more or less clones of the Pentax Spotmatic ES and ES II cameras. Chinon (along with Mamiya) was rebranded by a lot of companies. It was quite common to see a Chinon camera rebranded as GAF, Argus, Revue, and Sears. My Chinon Memotron CE is actually branded GAF L-ES when GAF (formerly Ansco) started importing Chinon cameras rather than making their own.
Tends to happen in every era with whatever is dominating the market inviting imitation. With this in mind I'd expect Canon and Nikon to adopt EVF into their mainstream bodies in years to come. Why, because next gen mainstream users wont use anything else.
OC in the hisle for shizzle. How you doing bro? You know, I think I have that exact same camera except it doesn't have the dual exposure lever. I've been using the Helios and the mir 37 MM on it. I really can't find anything to complain about with it. It was in storage since 1996. And fired right up. I think you're ready to start doing your own Sanctioned Photowalks.
Hahaha. Nice. Perhaps you have the Chinon CE-3 which has the M42 mount and will take the Helios-44-2. The simplicity and accuracy of this camera are what I like. I'm usually a manual shooter but I've been using the auto mode (aperture priority) since recording this video. You know, living in London, I totally could do that haha. There's so many photowalks here though, so I enjoy just going along with an existing one.
Oh excuse me. I left out an important point my camera is also pentax amount, but I got A m42 adaptor on eBay. I have several pentax lenses, but they actually have no character or any special look to them Unfortunately.
love your vids as always!! make a video with you doing some photo walk like the one with the olympus (forgot what kind of olympus it was tho i think its an olympus trip 35 or olympus 35 sp)
Yes, I have a Minolta x370 and it's the same basic camera 🎥. Plus Konica Minolta Sony Fuji hasselblad all have a camera made by other companies or had other companies making their cameras 🎥 and this is true even today
Makes it funny when you think of the brand loyalty wars like Canon v Nikon or Sony V Fuji when one side is making at least some components for the other side :)
I think at this point Canon and Sony are the only manufacturers doing *everything* in house. Well, now that Impossible Project bought Polaroid (how's that for a plot twist?) we might just see a third, albeit smaller player controlling their entire product.
in the 1970s and 1980s most 35mm SLRs were using fully mechanical film transports, and there were physical linkages between controls for shutter, aperture, etc. so it sort of makes sense that after a time they would all converge on a similar layout. once electronic controls started to be introduced there was more creativity. Pentax and Minolta started tinkering with layouts in their early autofocus bodies, such as the Pentax PZ20 which switches the traditional locations for flash and LCD screen. it wasn't until Canon's groundbreaking T90 that we saw the beginnings of the modern DSLR. With no mechanical linkages in the controls, the T90 was the first camera with a multimode control wheel (with shifting functions), the first with the curvilinear "ergonomic" body we expect from most cameras today, etc etc. And the was 1986. so I agree with what you're saying... to a point... within a certain class of early 80s and late 70s manual amateur 35mm SLRs.
Petri gx1 camera is another Cosina product. I have one with a Ricoh 28mm 2.8 lens k mount lens on it I also have a Pentax K1000 and a 50mm 1.7 lens and a Ricoh 50mm f2 which I like better than the Pentax 1.7 and so cheap to buy.
Dear Ade, Canny video as always:) As regards 2 cameras, most cameras look very similar/same because the functions the cameras performs i.e. taking pictures is the same:) Still, your Chinon was made by Cosina, who built a lot of cameras from the 60's through to the present day! On a more sombre note, make sure you buy as much Poundland film as possible-its been discontinued:( Regards,
I have actually bought that many before; like I walked into the store and bought 100 rolls :) the cashier thought I was mad. I may well make that order since I use that many with my camera testing.
Chinon CE-4 + motor winder + Pentax 1,8/50mm bought in 1979, that`s how I started my enthusiastic hobby photography, I used only this through the 1980s mainly for B&W until I bought my dream analog camera, a Nikon F4s which I`m still using today next to my D700 - I was often smiled at because of my unknown Chinon camera, but the technical quality, the specs and the reliability were comparable to all other brands
especially at the time nearly any camera body was only used to put a film in and to mount a lens, the rest didn`t matter in most situations, because only the type and the manufacturer of the film itself and the workflows in your dark room or the professional lab were the import aspects for the image quality next to the lens quality or the personal skills of the photographer, you could use any film in any camera so the camera didn`t matter that much, except for such professionals who where sponsored by the manufacturers
In the 70s & 80s Pentax was the only manufacture that licensed its lens mount to other camera makers who wanted to enter into the market. Both Canon & Nikon licensed their mounts, but their contracts often had non-compete clauses which is why you only see third party lenses for those respective brands. Pentax concentrated on the mid-range camera market making models like the ME Super and the LX while other brands such as Sears, Chinon and Ricoh who licensed the K-mount concentrated on the lower end of the market. Often their cameras were made by Cosina who favored plastic bodies & parts with simpler electronics to meet the demand and scale of its clients. This is why they all tend to look and behave similarly to each other. The Chinon CE-4 is basically the Ricoh KR-10 Super except that the KR-10 doesn't have multiple exposure and it activates its meter via a button on the front of the body.
I just googled the Ricoh KR-10 Super and you're right, it's basically the same camera. So many iterations of this camera. I just learnt from someone that the Agfa Selectronic 3 is another clone.
The K-mount is not licenced but open source. It was designed by Zeiss in 1975. Meaning any maker can use the K-mount. Pentax adopted it, as did Chinon. Likewise the earlier M42 Pentax screw (PS) is open source.
Chinon was originally a lens and camera components manufacturer. They may have made parts for Cosina. Chinon's own MiJ lenses could rival or surpass Asahi Pentax. A Seiko shutter was state of the art. They produced the first production autofocus lens (don't bother, it's autofocus but not as we know it...). Kodak was the progenitor of the digital sensor. Before they were entirely bought out by Kodak to become Kodak (Japan), Chinon made digital cameras for Kodak. The most popular digital camera in Japan in 2024 is a Kodak Pixpro.
The CE-5 with its exposure meter, aperture priority and full manual is quite a big step up from the CE-4.
Cosina made a huge amount of cameras for other brands, from the same parts bin. Ricoh, Pentax, Yashica, Chinon, Miranda, Minolta, Vivitar, even some Nikons. And even more rangefinders in the seventies and zone focus. You wouldn't believe what an enormous company they were at the time.
They were like the Foxcon of the 70's then :)
Yes! I suppose that has always happened.
Totally agree that they're all similar - not only the antique ones but I feel like modern gears are also very similar, technically and visually. Just passed by a couple of your videos and your content is amazing, man! Seriously impressed by your knowledge. New fan - I'm sure I'll be learning a lot from you.
That was my first camera. Loved the power winder. Many of the functions of the MX & ME but cheaper. I used that camera for about 30 years till I went digital. It is still around for when I want to shoot film. Love the video and the camera. :)
Good to see you back bro!
I’ve got the ce4 and a p30. The Chinon is an old tank of a camera the p30 feels more modern but they’re both very similar to hold and use
Thank you for another interesting video. I have never owned a Chinon nor did I had the opportunity of handling one, but that model looks very small and using it seams pleasurable. The multiple exposure option is an amazing creative tool. Some of my most interesting pictures are those with multiple exposures, longer exposures than the meter would advice, camera deliberate shakes and so on.
That camera despite vulgar in design has lots of potential - can't wait to see the results.
I'm thinking on doing some new stuff with it. I'm meeting a friend for coffee in a super hipster place next week, so I may do some food photography with it :)
Chinon was particularly guilty of copying Pentax. The Memotron CE and the Memotron CE II cameras were more or less clones of the Pentax Spotmatic ES and ES II cameras. Chinon (along with Mamiya) was rebranded by a lot of companies. It was quite common to see a Chinon camera rebranded as GAF, Argus, Revue, and Sears. My Chinon Memotron CE is actually branded GAF L-ES when GAF (formerly Ansco) started importing Chinon cameras rather than making their own.
That Chinon sure looks nice :)
Tends to happen in every era with whatever is dominating the market inviting imitation. With this in mind I'd expect Canon and Nikon to adopt EVF into their mainstream bodies in years to come. Why, because next gen mainstream users wont use anything else.
OC in the hisle for shizzle. How you doing bro? You know, I think I have that exact same camera except it doesn't have the dual exposure lever. I've been using the Helios and the mir 37 MM on it. I really can't find anything to complain about with it. It was in storage since 1996. And fired right up. I think you're ready to start doing your own Sanctioned Photowalks.
Hahaha. Nice. Perhaps you have the Chinon CE-3 which has the M42 mount and will take the Helios-44-2. The simplicity and accuracy of this camera are what I like. I'm usually a manual shooter but I've been using the auto mode (aperture priority) since recording this video.
You know, living in London, I totally could do that haha. There's so many photowalks here though, so I enjoy just going along with an existing one.
Oh excuse me. I left out an important point my camera is also pentax amount, but I got A m42 adaptor on eBay. I have several pentax lenses, but they actually have no character or any special look to them Unfortunately.
love your vids as always!! make a video with you doing some photo walk like the one with the olympus (forgot what kind of olympus it was tho i think its an olympus trip 35 or olympus 35 sp)
Thank you. Sure, I will be doing a few of those soon now that it's almost summer :)
Like the new close-up and angle! :-)) multiple exposure...okay. Something learned, says the technical submarine :-))
hahahah. Technical submarine haha.
Thinking about getting one Is it a good starter film camera
I believe the Chinon brand was a name used by Dixons. So this is clearly a classic example of badge engineering.
:) I've seen a few of those.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinon_Industries Note the ref to Dixon's
So Dixons sold their products.... doesn't say they were badge-engineered for them.
Sorry Pal you are clearly correct and know all about these matters and I am totally wrong ok?
Yes, I have a Minolta x370 and it's the same basic camera 🎥. Plus Konica Minolta Sony Fuji hasselblad all have a camera made by other companies or had other companies making their cameras 🎥 and this is true even today
Makes it funny when you think of the brand loyalty wars like Canon v Nikon or Sony V Fuji when one side is making at least some components for the other side :)
When hasselblad came out with their new mirrorless medium format cameras one of the first things that was said was "No... its not made by Sony"
I think at this point Canon and Sony are the only manufacturers doing *everything* in house. Well, now that Impossible Project bought Polaroid (how's that for a plot twist?) we might just see a third, albeit smaller player controlling their entire product.
Maybe that could bring the price of Impossible film down a little.. :) [I'm not hopeful. They kind of have a monopoly]
in the 1970s and 1980s most 35mm SLRs were using fully mechanical film transports, and there were physical linkages between controls for shutter, aperture, etc. so it sort of makes sense that after a time they would all converge on a similar layout. once electronic controls started to be introduced there was more creativity. Pentax and Minolta started tinkering with layouts in their early autofocus bodies, such as the Pentax PZ20 which switches the traditional locations for flash and LCD screen. it wasn't until Canon's groundbreaking T90 that we saw the beginnings of the modern DSLR. With no mechanical linkages in the controls, the T90 was the first camera with a multimode control wheel (with shifting functions), the first with the curvilinear "ergonomic" body we expect from most cameras today, etc etc. And the was 1986. so I agree with what you're saying... to a point... within a certain class of early 80s and late 70s manual amateur 35mm SLRs.
That's a wealth of information, thanks.
Petri gx1 camera is another Cosina product. I have one with a Ricoh 28mm 2.8 lens k mount lens on it
I also have a Pentax K1000 and a 50mm 1.7 lens and a Ricoh 50mm f2 which I like better than the Pentax 1.7 and so cheap to buy.
Dear Ade,
Canny video as always:)
As regards 2 cameras, most cameras look very similar/same because the functions the cameras performs i.e. taking pictures is the same:) Still, your Chinon was made by Cosina, who built a lot of cameras from the 60's through to the present day!
On a more sombre note, make sure you buy as much Poundland film as possible-its been discontinued:(
Regards,
WHAT??? I only have 20 left :( My local Poundland was quite good with having stock, but I did notice they were out today. Darn.
Dear Ade,
I think the film is still listed on their website-minimum order is £100, though:( But you do get free delivery:)
Regards,
I have actually bought that many before; like I walked into the store and bought 100 rolls :) the cashier thought I was mad.
I may well make that order since I use that many with my camera testing.