Chinon Memotron - under-rated classic?

<p>Hi there<br>

I've got a film photography blog where I occasionally do reviews of the cameras I use.<br>

The latest one is on the Chinon Memotron.<br>

<br />http://zorkiphoto.co.uk/2013/05/14/chinon-memotron-review/<br /><br />I've been really impressed by this camera; not just the features (aperture priority using screw mount lenses) but just the general robustness and reliability. It's a cracking camera, and yet seems to have been overlooked because it wasn't from one of the famous manufacturers.<br>

Anyone else used it? <br>

S</p>

<p>I have one, the second version I believe. It's one of my favorite screwmounts, although the ASA dial is missing parts and is hard to work. It's accurate and built like a... well, tank is an understaement.</p>

<p>Nice post, and nice results from the Chinon</p>

<p>I had the later smaller model. CE3 I believe. I was really dissapointed in it. While it seemed to work OK, it just felt really crudely made. From the plunger to the shutter, it sounded and felt clunky. Maybe that was just because i was comparing it to a spotmatic.<br>

I've heard the earlier ones are prefered. You said you had the first CE model. How would you compare it to a spotmatic?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>These M42 thread cameras were known for intant stop down metering automatically accomplished just prior to the shutter actuation. Among others were a Sears branded model, also GAF- LES, and lastly the Alpa SI-2000(Japanese Alpa).</p>

<blockquote>

<p>.. seems to have been overlooked because it wasn't from one of the famous manufacturers.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>As I recall, the CEII was re-badged in pretty much original shape by Alpa during their association with Chinon and sold at a considerably higher price, and it reappeared under various other in-house labels. Chinon were the source of many fine cameras and lenses of the era, possibly unbeknownst to many purchasers, and I'm certainly a Memotron fan. Solid, good feature set and handles well. Very nice blog, <strong>Stephen</strong>; thanks for the post.</p>

<p>Very nice write-up Stephen and excellent photos. I'd never heard much about the Memotrons before. Thanks for sharing.</p>

<p><strong>Darin</strong> - I used to have a Spotmatic, and I'd say the Memotron doesn't quite have the finish the Spotmatic or the ESII had... but it's not the level of Prakticas either. I must say, the version I have is pretty spotless, only minor paint loss. The great thing compared to to the Spottie is the batteries... no mucking about with Wein cells with this one.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the comments on the blog - it's good fun doing this around the day job...</p>

<p>I've had three of them, and still have the Sears 2000ES-branded one. I think they're fine cameras, though they are heavy. They take a common, easily-available battery, and allow me to use my many M42 lenses much more easily, which was what they were designed to do.</p>

Damn other unklnown camera suddenly desirable to effectively use M42 lenses.... WWehn a Spotmatic is not enough.. reach for the Memotron!! Just waht I need another desirable camera to the list!!

<p>I never thought I would ever hear the words "Chinon" and "classic" in the same sentence! Everything seems better with rose-tnted glasses...</p>

<p>I'm very fond of my GAF L-ES. I had a chance to buy one for $50 in a Chicago antique store and passed it by. Sure enough, I found one 6 months later on an auction site for $5.<br>

I like night photography and was very surprised when the GAF L-ES was able to take this photo in my Chicago neighborhood. I had no reason to believe the camera could do a time exposure beyond one second. But sure enough, I think the exposure lasted 5 to 10 seconds. The camera automatically metered a photo on a dark Chicago street at night.<br>

<img src="http://whatisafilmcamera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/GAF-L-ES-June-2013-Tripp-Street-at-Night-Cropped.jpg" alt="" width="757" height="1024" /><br>

For a heavy camera, the GAF L-ES seems balanced. It's just a well made bargain at five dollars.</p>