The Chinon Bellami is an ultra-compact yet very well-made 35mm camera featuring a retractable Chinonex 1:2.8 f=35mm zone focus lens. The camera and the lens were made in Japan.A unique feature of the Bellami is the retractable lens, which when closed is concealed behind a pair of "barn doors". When you're ready to use the camera, you use the film advance lever to open the doors revealing the lens inside. The lens move forward when you open it, and retracts again when you close the doors - which is also done using the film advance lever.
Anyone familiar with Chinon SLRs and other cameras may know they're known for building very solid heavy-duty cameras, and this little gem was no exception. It's weight was the first thing that struck me when I first picked it up - even before noticing the cool retractable lens hidden behind those doors.
Right: House on North Road, Yarmouth, Maine. Photo taken with a Chinon Bellami and Kodak BW400CN film.
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