Chinon 35 EE-II

Photos by JLA text by Sylvain Halgand. From the collection of JLA. Last update 2023-03-13 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Japan from 1978 to (After) 1978.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 10581

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Chinon

Traduction de Alphonse Khuu

The prototype of this camera was introduced at Photokina 1976. It was presented in its marketable variant at the Japan Camera Show in 1977.

The main feature of this camera is the presence in the viewfinder of several LEDs. A green indicates a correct exposure, while two red indicate over-and under-exposure. A fourth located in front indicates the use of the self-timer or the release.

The lens is a Chinonx Color 2.7/38mm including four elements divided into three groups. The CdS cell is set for the sensitivities from 25 to 800 ASA. The shutter speed ranges from 4 seconds to 1/500. The coupling at 100 ASA goes from 4 seconds at 2.7 to 1/500 per sec with aperture of 16 (IL 1 to IL 17). The use of a flash leads the shutter speed up to 1/50 per sec. The light-meter is activated halfway the release button.

The viewfinder is collimated with a purple hue. The rangefinder is orange.

The body is in metal (aluminium), very well made. The camera is pleasant to use.

It was one of the first compact “all-automatic".