Chinon's mechanical metered-manual K-mount SLR — the CM-4, 1980.
The Chinon CM-4 was a 35mm film SLR introduced in 1980 as a later member of Chinon's mechanically shuttered CM line using the Pentax K mount. It carried on the CM series' focus on simple manual operation and wide K-mount lens compatibility at an affordable price.
It is a single-lens-reflex camera for 35mm film on the Pentax K mount. The CM-4 is a metered-manual SLR with TTL metering and a mechanically controlled focal-plane shutter, so it can fire without a battery, the battery serving only the meter. It follows the conventional layout of period manual SLRs.
It suits students and beginners who want to learn exposure on a dependable, battery-independent mechanical body. The camera's straightforward controls and the large pool of K-mount lenses make it practical as a first SLR or a simple backup.
The CM-4 is inexpensive on the used market and benefits from easy lens availability. Inspect the foam seals and mirror-damper foam, test the mechanical shutter across all speeds with the battery removed, and check the meter with a fresh cell. Look over the film advance, rewind and focusing screen; Chinon parts support is scarce, though the mechanical shutter is comparatively repairable.