New top-of-the-line compact

Press, 9 July 1986, Page 27

New top-of-the-line compact

Chinon’s new flagbearer in the compact 35mm camera range, the Auto 2001, has most, perhaps, all, of., the features one now looks for in top-bf-the-line compacts. It is auto-everything, including automatic activation of the flash when the lighting is sufficiently low; but the flash can be shut off or else'fired manually,

while the autofocus can be locked so • that the subject need not be in the middle of the viewfinder field. ... . ’ ■: An unusual but useful, feature is that, except in flash mode, sequence shots are possible simply by keeping one’s finger on the shutter-release. The flash recycles in about two seconds. The lithium

batteries, are claimed to last five years in normal use, a far cry from, the high-drain arrangements common only ,a, year or two'*ago. •■'::<•-.■ - ■' The 2001 has both'selftimer and' screw-base. Many current compacts have a self-timer but lack the screw-base for a tripod essential for most time-delay photographs. • The taking lens is 38mm focal length, f 2.8 * aperture. Available is what is described as a telephoto converter but in fact gives a combination of about 48mm f 3.5 — in the standard rather than telephoto range. Alternate to the standard back is a data-back; two types of case are also available. At the invitation of the New Zealand agent, Multi Products, Ltd, I put a colour-print film through

the 2001. It performed tospecifications, - including with flash. The photographs were well-focused, including some with a walking towards the ' camera —a; , test failed by. some autofocus compacts and at feast one single-lens/reflex. Definition was good over the whole picture area. : I was unimpressed by the telephoto converter, however. Although it clipped on quite easily it would be much more convenient 'built into - the camera as with its, competitors; worse, the definition was clearly poorer than with only the main lens. Pan Pacific Cameras quote the 2001 without case at $5OO, with data back $560; telephoto converter $7O. - R.M.