Polaroid Spectra One Switch - User Manual
POLAROID SPECTRA ONE SWITCH
USER MANUAL
This book contains operating instructions for the Polaroid Spectra 2 camera (see p. 2.) The text refers to pictures on these fold-out pages.
16
17
· Get in close to subject (p. 20)
· Add foreground interest (p. 20)
14
15
· Use color in pictures (p. 20)
· Keep background simple (p. 20)
10
11
· Flash off: facial shadows (p. 8)
· Add foreground interest (p. 20)
12
13
· Distant background: too dark (p. 10)
· Close background: good picture (p. 10)
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
As with any battery-operated equipment, observe these basic safety precautions:
1 FOLLOW ALL OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
2 CLOSELY SUPERVISE CAMERA WHEN IT IS BEING USED BY OR NEAR CHILDREN.
3 DO NOT USE CAMERA IF IT HAS BEEN DROPPED OR DAMAGED - UNTIL IT HAS BEEN EXAMINED AT AN AUTHORIZED POLAROID SERVICE CENTER.
4 TO AVOID ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARDS, DO NOT DISASSEMBLE CAMERA. SERVICE OR REPAIR WORK MUST BE DONE ONLY BY AN AUTHORIZED POLAROID SERVICE CENTER. INCORRECT REASSEMBLY CAN CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHOCK WHEN CAMERA IS USED AGAIN. DO NOT IMMERSE IN WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS.
PLEASE KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Contents
The camera
The camera
2
The control panel
3
Using the camera
Open the camera
4
Check the control panel
4
Load the film
4
Position your subject
4
Take the picture
5
To remove an empty film pack
5
Features
The autofocus system
6
The viewfinder displays
7
The programmed flash
8
The recharge indicator
8
Flash range
9
The exposure control
9
Guide to better pictures
Lens care
13
Picture care
13
Film care
13
? For information and help
14
Warranty
15
Troubleshooting guide
16
Picture-taking tips
20
Camera, film specifications
21
4
1 Open the camera (pictures 3, 4)
2 Check the control panel
3 Load the film (pictures 5, 6)
4 Position your subject
Using the camera
Place both hands under the camera as shown. Slide the release latch back.The camera will open automatically.
To close the camera (picture 4): When you have finished using the camera, close it to protect the lens. Hold the camera as shown. Slide the release latch back. Push both sides of the cover down until it locks.
When you want the camera to be fully automatic, be sure all the switches are in a row as shown in picture 2.
Note: When the switches are not in the automatic mode, there is a red mark (or green symbol for the self-timer) visible on the panel.
Use only Polaroid Spectra color film. Other Polaroid films cannot be used with this camera.
Push the film door release down. The film door will open. Hold the film pack by its edges only and slide it all the way into the camera.
You can take the most pleasing pictures of people, both indoors and outdoors, when they are 3 to 5 feet (0.9m to 1.5m) away.
Indoors:Your subject should be within the 2 to 15 foot (0.6m to 4.6m) flash range. For best results, your subject should also be near a light-colored background.
Outdoors:Your subject should be at least 2 feet (0.6m) away from the camera.
5 Take the picture (pictures 7, 8)
To remove an empty film pack (pictures 5 & 9)
Using the camera 5
Slide your left hand through the hand strap and hold the camera as you would a pair of binoculars. For horizontal pictures, hold the camera as shown in picture 7. For vertical pictures, position the camera with the flash on top as shown in picture 8 to get the best results.
After you take the tenth picture, the picture counter sets to zero and three chimes sound to remind you to remove the empty film pack. Push the film door release down to open the film door. Pull the blue tab to remove the film pack. When the camera contains an empty film pack: · You wilI hear three chimes when you open the camera · You will hear three chimes and then see a flashing zero in the viewfinder when you press and hold the shutter button halfway
6
The autofocus system
Features
As you press the shutter button, your camera sends sound waves - within 10 thousandths of a second - to the central part of the scene (approximate area circled in white, see illustration).
The sound waves are used to measure the distance to the person or object (in the central part of the scene) that is closest to the camera.
A built-in computer then uses this measurement to provide the correct lens setting, so be sure that:
· The sound waves must have a clear path to your subject. If an object (candlestick, centerpiece, etc.1 prevents the sound waves from reaching your subject, the lens will focus on that object, and your subject will not be clear and in focus.
· When photographing more than one person, place everyone the same distance from the camera.
· When taking a picture through glass, turn off the autofocus system.
Features 7
The viewfinder displays The good picture symbol
When you have a film pack in the camera and press the shutter button halfway, a display appears in the viewfinder to help you take the best possible picture.
When you see a number in the viewfinder, it tells you the distance to your subject (in feet or meters). This number will help you follow the distance recommendations throughout this book.
When you see a green "good picture" symbol, the conditions are right for taking a good picture. Press the shutter button the rest of the way.
When you see a flashing yellow "caution" symbol and hear a warning tone, you should correct a problem before taking the picture. The distance reading will help you identify the problem. When you see:
The number 1:Your subject is too close. Release the shutter button and stand at least 2 feet (.6m) from subject.
A number from 16 to 20:Your subject is beyond the flash range. Release the shutter button and move closer to your subject to keep within the 2 to 15 foot (0.6m to 4.6m) flash range.
A number from 2 to 15:The flash is off. Slide the flash switch up to turn the flash back on.
Note: Distance readings do not appear when your subject is beyond 20 feet (6.2m).
8 Features
The programmed flash (pictures 10, 11)
The recharge indicator
Every time you take a picture, indoors or outdoors, your camera blends light from the scene with just enough flash to provide the right lighting for the best possible picture.
In the sample outdoor scene, photographed without flash (picture 10), bright sunlight has created harsh facial shadows.
Your camera blends sunlight with just the right amount of flash to soften shadows and reveal facial details (picture 11).
The Polaroid Spectra features a rapid recharge flash with recharge times usually less than a second. The green light on the control panel will come on and the flash will automatically begin to charge every time you:
· Load film into the camera
· Take a picture
· Press the shutter button halfway
· Open the camera
When the green light comes on, the flash is ready to fire. The light will stay on for 20 to 30 seconds.
If you want to take a picture after the green light has gone off, lightly press and release the shutter button to turn the green light back on.
Flash range The exposure control
a lighten b darken c center
Features 9
Indoors: Your subject should be 2 to 15 feet (0.6m to 4.6m) from the camera.
Outdoors: Your subject should be at least 2 feet (0.6m) away.
Use the picture control when you want to retake a picture to make it lighter or darker.
When retaking a picture to make it lighter: Slide the control all the way up (a).
When retaking a picture to make it darker: Slide the control all the way down (b).
Any partial adjustments will not affect your exposure. The control must be adjusted all the way in either direction.
After you have finished taking the picture, do not forget to return the control to the normal position (c).
Special situations Pictures taken of people in highly reflective beach or snow scenes often turn out too dark. You may want to set the control all the way up to the lighten setting (a) before taking this type of picture.
10 Features
Backgrounds too dark? (pictures 12, 13)
If the background of a flash picture is too dark but your subject is well illuminated (picture 12), the background is too far away.
Moving the control to the lighten setting will not correct this problem, so be sure the exposure control is in the normal position.
Retake the picture, placing your subject near a background and keeping both within the 2 to 15 foot (0.6m to 4.6m) flash range (picture 13).
Lens care Picture care
Film care
Guide to better pictures
13
It is important to avoid touching the lens. To remove dust or fingerprints, breathe on the lens and wipe it gently with a clean, soft facial tissue. Do not use silicone-treated eyeglass tissues.
The development process takes place inside the film; therefore, developing Spectra pictures can be stacked. During the first 60 seconds of development, handle the picture gently. Fanning or bending the picture will disturb the development process. Wind can also affect development as the picture exits the camera. You can delay ejecting the picture by holding the shutter button down until you can protect the picture from the wind. Hold the developing picture by its wide white border.
Note: Keep the developing picture away from hot surfaces like the hood of a car.
For best results, use Spectra film between 55°F (13°C) and 95°F (35°C). See film box for more details.
14 Guide to better pictures
For information and help
If you are unable to get good pictures, review this instruction book. Picture problems are often due to incorrect use of the camera. lf you need further help, and before you return your camera for repair, please see your dealer or contact the nearest Polaroid office. If you write, please explain the nature of the problem and, if possible, enclose sample pictures. Include your return address.
U.S.A. Polaroid Customer Care Center 201 Burlington Road Bedford, Massachusetts 01731 Representatives available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time: Tel: 1-800-343-5000 TDD: 1-800-448-6708
México Polaroid de México Paseo de la Reforma No. 195 Col. Cuahtémoc 06500 Mexico, D.F. Tel: (05) 703-1111
Canada Polaroid Canada, Inc. 350 Carlingview Drive Rexdale, Ontario M9W 5G6 Tel: (416) 675-3680 Toll free: 800-268-6970
Warranty U.S.A.: Full five-year Mexico: Full five-year
Guide to better pictures 15
If your camera proves to be defective within the warranty period, we will, without charge, either repair it or at our option replace it with a fully reconditioned camera.
The warranty period begins from the original date of purchase. To verify the warranty period, you should keep the sales slip or other proof of the purchase date. Without this information, the warranty period will be determined by the manufacturing date on the camera.
The repair or replacement of your camera is guaranteed for the remaining warranty period on your original camera. The warranty does not cover damage caused by accident, misuse, or tampering with the camera, and a charge will be made for such repairs.
For warranty service, the camera must be returned to and repaired by a Polaroid Service Center (see page 14). Please call us at the number listed for your location.
U.S.A.: Full five-year warranty
Mexico: Full five-year warranty (see p. 37)
U.S.A.: This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. This warranty excludes all consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion of consequential damages, so the foregoing exclusion may not apply to you.
16 Guide to better pictures
Blurry picture
Cause
Solution
· When subject is not centered in the picture, the sound waves pass by the subject and measure the distance to the background. This causes the subject to be unsharp because the lens focuses on the background.
· Center the subject in the picture. Or, if you want to keep your subject off center, frame your subject in the middle of the viewfinder. Press and hold the shutter button halfway to lock in the correct lens setting. Then reframe your subject off center and press the shutter button the rest of the way.
· Object in foreground prevented sound waves from measuring correctly. Lens focuses on object, causing unclear and possibly dark subject.
· The sound waves travel to the central part of the scene. Be sure there are no objects in front of your subject.
· When picture is taken in · Hold the camera steady as low light (dusk, shade, etc.) you take the picture, or shutter can stay open for as place the camera on a firm long as 2.8 seconds. Cam- support. era movement can cause the picture to be blurry.
Repeated spots or bar pattern
Guide to better pictures 17
Cause
Solution
· Developer rollers inside the · Open film door in indirect
film door need to be
light (do not remove film).
cleaned.
While turning rollers, clean
them with a lint-free cloth
dampened with water.
Damaged picture
Cause
Solution
· Picture was shaken back and forth or bent shortly after it ejected from the camera.
· Picture was left in the exit slot, and camera was set down on a table or other surface.
· During first 60 seconds of development, handle print gently; hold it only by its wide white border, and do not wave or bend it.
· Remove print from exit slot as soon as it ejects.
18 Guide to better pictures
Subject too dark
Cause
Solution
· Camera's photocell mea- · Reposition subject away
sured the bright window
from the bright back-
light, causing the subject to ground.
be too dark.
Background too dark
· When a bright source of light (lamplight, candlelight, etc.) is in the central part of the scene and in front of the subject, the camera's photocell will measure the bright light, causing the subject to be too dark.
· Move the source of light to one side of your subject so it is not in the central part of the scene.
Cause · Background was too far
from subject.
· Subject may have been beyond flash range.
Solution
· Place subject near a background and keep the picture control in the normal position.
· Stay within flash range of 2 to 15 feet (0.6m to 4.6m), and keep the picture control in the normal position.
Picture too blue or too red/yellow
Guide to better pictures 19
Cause · Pictures taken at temper-
atures below 55°F (13°C) can have a blue tint.
· Pictures taken at temperatures above 95°F (35°C) can have a red or yellow tint.
Solution
· In cold weather, keep camera and film as warm as possible. Immediately place developing picture in a warm pocket for at least a minute, being careful not to bend it.
· Avoid storing camera and film in hot places, such as glove or luggage compartments of a car, or near a heat source, such as a radiator.
20 Guide to better pictures
Picture-taking tips (pictures 14, 17)
Color
Vibrant, bold colors are vividly reproduced on Spectra film (picture 14). Look for color when framing the scene in the viewfinder. Colorful props such as toys or flowers can add interest to the scene.
Distance
You can take the most pleasing pictures of people when they are 3 to 5 feet (0.9m to 1.5m) from the camera (picture 15). Backgrounds become less distracting and attention focuses on your subjects.
Background
Indoors, try to have a light-colored background. Outdoors, keep the background simple (picture 16).
Composition
When photographing landscapes, include something in the foreground to establish a feeling of depth or dimension (picture 17).
Camera, film specifications
Guide to better pictures 21
Aperture/shutter system specifications Apertures: from f/10 to f/45. Shutter speeds: from 1/245 to 2.8 seconds.
Camera body size Length: 6.82 inches (17.3cm) Width: 5.46 inches (13.87cm) Height: 3.07 inches (7.78cm)
Camera weight 1 lb. 12 1/2 oz. (.8kg approx.), without a film pack.
Film advance Automatic film advance; motorized picture ejection.
Film size Outer border: 4 x 4.06 inches (10.1 x 10.3cm) Image area: 3.60 x 2.90 inches (9.1 x 7.2cm)
Film speed IS0 600/29° (approx.)
Film type Polaroid Spectra color film only. Starts developing in seconds. Ten pictures per pack.
Lens Patented Quintic, three element, 125mm lens system. Ten-zone focusing from 2 feet (0.6m ) to infinity.
Photocell Dual-filter, silicon photodiodes. Green filtered cell measures visible light; black filtered cell measures infrared light for better indoor flash exposures.
Power source A fresh, 6-volt battery in each film pack powers all camera functions.
Programmed flash Built-in fill flash designed to be used indoors and outdoors. Recharge time: from .1 to 2.8 seconds. Flash duration: from 1/ 3000 to 1/20,000 of a second. Indoor flash range: from 2 to 15 feet (0.6m to 4.6m).
Sonar autofocus system Computerized autofocus system uses sound waves to measure accurately the distance to your subject and set the lens. Sonar ranging time: from 10 to 50 thousandths of a second.
Viewfinder 100% viewing (no parallax) at 6 feet (1.8mI - a popular picturetaking distance. Six lenses, two prisms, and four mirrors provide sharp, clear viewing. Viewfinder magnifications: .5x (subjects appear half lifesize).
"Polaroid " and/y "Spectra"® Printed in Great Britain/Imreso en Gran Bretaña OPN7249A 11/94 English/Español
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