Chinon's 1991 zoom compact — 35-70mm power zoom, autofocus, DX coding, 2CR5 lithium power
The Chinon Auto 3501 was a 35mm autofocus zoom compact released around 1991, made in Taiwan during the period when the Dixons retail group owned the Chinon brand in the UK. It sat above fixed-lens models such as the Auto 3001 in the range, aimed squarely at family, holiday and event photography built down to a retail price point.
The camera carries a 35-70mm motorised zoom lens controlled by a thumb toggle, autofocus with a green confirmation lamp beside the viewfinder, and automatic exposure with average metering. Film speed is set by DX coding, the built-in flash fires automatically with a red-eye reduction mode, there is a 10-second self-timer, and power comes from a single 2CR5 lithium battery.
Reviewers describe it as plain-looking and notably noisy, with a zoom motor loud enough to draw attention, yet capable of surprisingly decent negatives with reliable metering. The focus lamp does not indicate where focus actually landed, so close-distance shots carry some risk; at normal snapshot distances it performs well for its class.
The Auto 3501 needs a working 2CR5 battery to do anything at all, and that cell is pricier than AAs. Check the motorised zoom travels its full range, the transport winds and rewinds, the flash charges promptly and the focus lamp lights, as motor and electronics faults are not economical to repair.