A 35mm SLR system developed and manufactured by the Japanese company Chinon Industries Inc. based on the Pentax K bayonet mount with fully automatic diaphragm and support for TTL open-aperture exposure metering.
Cameras in this system can be divided into four categories:
- models with a mechanical shutter and manual exposure mode,
- models with an electronically controlled shutter, aperture-priority auto exposure mode and manual exposure mode,
- models with an electronically controlled shutter, program and aperture-priority auto exposure modes plus manual exposure mode,
- CP-9AF Multi-Program, the only autofocus camera in the system.
Chinon produced these models under various names for other distributors of photographic equipment, in particular for Agfa under the name Selectronic.
As for the lenses, Chinon did not produce them, but ordered from Tokina, Cima Kogaku and other manufacturers.
Only two autofocus lenses were available for the CP-9AF Multi-Program: 28-70/3.5-4.5 and 70-210/4.5.
NOTE: Despite the fact that the Chinon 500/8 Mirror lens had an interchangeable mount, it also belonged to the Chinon K system.
NOTE: Chinon 28/2.8, 35/2.8, 50/1.9, 50/1.7, 50/1.4, 135/2.8, 200/3.5, 35-100/3.5-4.3 lenses were produced for the Agfa Selectronic series cameras under the name Agfa Color Multi-Coated.
NOTE: The following Chinon lenses were mentioned in the Chinon instruction manuals: 200/3.3, 28-70/2.8-4.2 (1985), 35-80/3.5-4.8 (actually F/3.5-4.9), 35-105/3.5-4.5, 35-105/3.8-4.8 (1985), 70-210/4-5.6, 75-200/4-4.8, 75-300/5.6 (1985), 80-200/3.8, 80-200/4.5-5.6, but we cannot record them in the database because we do not have basic manufacturer data for them.
In addition to lenses, various accessories such as angle finder, cable release, flash unit, power winder, remote control unit, data imprinting unit, auto-extension ring, bellows, copy stand and table tripod were also available.