compur
Been spending a lot of time on here!
I came across this beast while cleaning out my "junk room."
Back in the 1980s when auto-focus was first being applied to SLRs, some
pretty complex designs came out of Japan. This is a Chinon CE-5 with an
AF zoom, motor drive and data back. Look at all those buttons!
The AF was done with the help of the "double barrel" IR sensors on the
lens. It makes the camera so front-heavy it won't stand on its own.
I don't even know what all those buttons do:
There was also a radio remote for it which I don't have:
Anyway, the camera didn't really catch on.
BTW, this is not meant to criticize Chinon. They actually made some
nice 35mm cameras that remain as very good bargains today. I
especially like some of their early M42 cameras with Copal Square
shutters. Among the best screw-mount cameras ever made, IMO.
They were sold under various brand names.
Back in the 1980s when auto-focus was first being applied to SLRs, some
pretty complex designs came out of Japan. This is a Chinon CE-5 with an
AF zoom, motor drive and data back. Look at all those buttons!
The AF was done with the help of the "double barrel" IR sensors on the
lens. It makes the camera so front-heavy it won't stand on its own.
I don't even know what all those buttons do:
There was also a radio remote for it which I don't have:
Anyway, the camera didn't really catch on.
BTW, this is not meant to criticize Chinon. They actually made some
nice 35mm cameras that remain as very good bargains today. I
especially like some of their early M42 cameras with Copal Square
shutters. Among the best screw-mount cameras ever made, IMO.
They were sold under various brand names.