The Chinon Splash GX is a compact camera from Chinon.
This camera immediately catches the eye with its striking appearance. The spherical design around the lens and film loading door is complemented by rubber grommets, giving the camera a very durable look.
At first glance, you might think it’s designed for underwater shooting, but the truth is that it’s only splash-proof, not completely water-resistant. This means it will withstand light rain or accidental splashes, but should not be used underwater.
At the heart of the Chinon Splash GX is its 35mm lens. It has a maximum aperture of f/3.9. This consists of three elements arranged in three separate groups. The focus is fixed on this model. There is no auto focus. The close-up limit is 130 cm.
Her programmed electronic shutter system operates at times between 1/90 and 1/410 of a second, showing that she is particularly comfortable in daylight or well-lit conditions.
Despite a rather inconspicuous built-in flash with a guide number of 10, it is particularly powerful when shooting close-ups. Its effective range is between 1.3 and 3.5 meters.
The light meter is suitable for DX encoded film and can handle an ISO range from 100 to 1000. Without this coding, ISO 100 is set automatically.
The Splash GX is powered by two standard AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*), which ensure constant operational readiness. This source of energy, combined with the easy battery swap, makes them ideal for adventurers and globetrotters. The batteries also power the flash and the automatic film transport.
Film selection for the Chinon Splash GX
The Chinon Splash GX uses 35mm film. Such films are still available and can be developed. It is best to use films with ISO 100 to ISO 1000 that are DX encoded.
Recommended films are, for example, the Kodak Ultramax 400* for color photography and the Ilford XP2 Super* for black and white photos. Both are suitable for everyday snapshots and convince in quality tests.
Model variants
Various versions of the original Splash AF exist. These include the Splash AF 2, which is similar but comes with a black body and transparent shutter cover. The Chinon Splash GX retained the same design, but instead of the autofocus, a fixed focus system was used.
In addition, the camera was also sold under other brand names, such as the Revue AW600 from Foto-Quelle.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Snapshot camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 35 mm |
| Biggest aperture | f/3.9 |
| Minimum focus distance | 130 cm / 4.264 ft |
| Focus | Fixed |
| Lens design | 3 elements in 3 groups |
| Exposure times | 1/410 second to 1/90 second |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 100 to 1000 |
| Auto DX | Yes |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic |
| Manual exposure settings | No |
| Date imprinting | No |
| Double and/or multiple exposure function | No |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Flash range | 1,3 Meter - 3,5 Meter |
| Flash recycle time | circa 5 seconds |
| Flash modes | Fill-in flash |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | 2x AA batteries |
| Size | 14 x 7,7 x 5,3 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.51 x 3.03 x 2.09 inches |
| Estimated value / Used price | 91,17 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 3 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of 31.8.2023 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 91,17 Euro (98.50 US-Dollar) |