The Chinon CE II Memotron was the middle sibling in a trio of Memotron cameras that Chinon began producing in 1974. The Chinon CE II Memotron came along two years after that initial CE Memotron, in 1976. It added only a few new features to what was an innovative camera design. The battery compartment was redesigned, an eyepiece blind was installed for use during long exposures to help prevent the metering system from becoming skewed by stray light, and the ability for double exposures was added. Other than that, the CE II Memotron remained very loyal to the design of the original Memotron.
In general, the whole Memotron series was a bit of a last hurrah for the M42 lens mount. The Memotron cameras allowed open aperture auto exposure. Essentially, the camera could work in an aperture priority mode to automatically set the correct shutter speed for a situation. Sounds pretty standard these days, but in the mid-70s this was quite novel. There were cameras already that could auto expose with M42 lenses, but they either required manually stopping down the aperture (preventing open aperture composing and focusing), specific M42 lenses that were compatible (eliminating much of the M42 lens library) or required a wonky overriding of the stop down element (see the Yashica Electro AX).
Chinon produced a number of their cameras to be marketed under other companies' brand names. So the CE II Memotron can also be found as the GAF L-ES/2, Foto-Quelle Revueflex 5000 EE and as the Porst Reflex M-CE.
Chinon CE II Memotron with Tomioka 55mm f1.2 - Abstract
The light that traces shadow through our National Desk. Always have a camera -- the sun is always willing to collaborate, even during a workday.
Made with: Chinon CE II Memotron, Tomioka 55mm f1.2 Auto Chinon M42, Ilford XP2
Chinon CE II Memotron with Tomioka 55mm f1.2 - Glow
Even when you nail focus wide open with the Tomioka 55mm f1.2 Auto Chinon, this optic's dreamy glow creates a surreal look.
Made with: Chinon CE II Memotron, Tomioka 55mm f1.2 Auto Chinon, Ilford XP2
Chinon CE II Memotron with Tomioka 55mm f1.2 - Onlooker
The Tomioka 55mm f1.2 Auto Chinon M42 is the type of lens that attracts onlookers as you shoot. The big front element, the pretty coating -- people will stop and ask you what it is.
Made with: Chinon CE II Memotron, Tomioka 55mm f1.2 Auto Chinon M42, Ilford XP2
Chinon CE II Memotron with Tomioka 55mm f1.2 - Wide Open in Daylight
This image exhibits the stunning defocus ability of the Auto Chinon 55mm f1.2 M42, as well as the veiling, flare, and lack of sharpness that come with using such a lens wide open in daylight. Ilford's XP2 did a great job handling many stops of over-exposure.
Made with: Chinon CE II Memotron, Tomioka 55mm f1.2 Auto Chinon M42, Ilford XP2
Chinon CE II Memotron with Tomioka 55mm f1.2 - Stopped Down
This Tomioka 55mm f1.2 Auto Chinon M42 lens performs well as a standard lens when stopped down, exhibiting good contrast and sharpness.
Made with: Chinon CE II Memotron, Tomioka 55mm f1.2 Auto Chinon M42, Ilford XP2
Chinon CE II Memotron with Tomioka 55mm f1.2 - Depth of Field
The Tomioka 55mm f1.2 has an exceptionally narrow band of focus when used at maximum aperture. This lens was produced under a small variety of names and is marked "Auto Chinon" here.
Made with: Chinon CE II Memotron, 55mm f1.2 Auto Chinon M42, Ilford XP2
Chinon CE II Memotron with Tomioka 55mm f1.2 Auto Chinon M42
The Chinon CE II Memotron combines the classic M42 screw mount with aperture-priority auto exposure capability. This is especially useful for careful metering with coveted lenses, such as this 55mm f/1.2 Auto Chinon - a rare combination to say the least.
Tomioka 55mm f1.2 Auto Chinon M42 Lens on Chinon CE II Memotron
We see a Tomioka 55mm f1.2 Auto Chinon M42 lens pass through our shop every few years, and it is always a treat. Surely part of the appeal of ultra-fast lenses like this f/1.2 lies in how beautiful they look mounted to our favorite camera bodies. This Chinon CE II Memotron, with its aperture-priority auto exposure, is a worthy companion to this fine lens.