A Guide to Using Polaroid Instant Pack Films
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A Guide to Using Polaroid Instant Pack Films For people who want fast results Tips, techniques and inside information designed to help you get consistently good results with Polaroid instant pack films What’s inside w Polaroid Pack films — w Tab pulling: How fast? The Inside Story ...and how to get it straight! w Formats & Applications Instant Pack Films w Making sure your prints & w The 3 critical keys to images last a long time quality images w Picture problems and w Avoiding common problem prevention mistakes w Toll-free help and w Storing and handling technical assistance Polaroid films w If it’s hotter or colder than 75oF (24oC)... Polaroid instant pack films — The inside story Please keep this booklet near your camera system. The information in this booklet is designed to help experienced and occasional users of Polaroid pack films get good pictures...solve some common picture-taking errors...perform a few simple, routine, preventive maintenance checks... and get expert assistance when needed. This booklet covers in quick reference form much of the material con- tained in the instructions originally packed with your Polaroid equipment. Please consult those instruc- tions when first learning to use the camera system. Users also should regularly Each pack of Polaroid review the film tip sheet instant film contains all the packed with Polaroid films, elements needed to produce since ongoing improve- instant pictures. Inside, for ments may change technical each picture, there is a film characteristics, especially assembly consisting of a light- time and temperature pro- sensitive negative, a positive cessing guidelines. sheet, a pod containing the developer, and tabs, which are pulled to activate the developing process. The rollers inside the camera or film holder are used to break the pod and spread the developer between the exposed negative and positive sheet. Clean rollers are important in achieving a smooth, consistent spread; they should be inspected and cleaned regularly to assure high quality results. (See page 3.) A similar booklet is available to users of Polaroid Model 545 film holders and 4x5 sheet films. To obtain a copy, call Polaroid Technical Assistance at the toll-free number given on page 2. 1 After an exposure is made, Film Data Sheets & pulling the white tab Technical Assistance all the way out moves the exposed negative from For further information the focal plane behind the about Polaroid pack films, lens to a position facing or for information about the positive sheet. other Polaroid films, Simultaneously, the larger products, and applications, tab of the film assembly call toll free from within is positioned between the the U.S.A. at 800-225-1618, rollers, and sticks out Monday through Friday, of the camera or film holder 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern where it can be grasped. time. Or, write to: Technical Assistance Polaroid Corporation 201 Burlington Rd. Bedford, MA 01730 For assistance outside the U.S.A., consult your nearest Polaroid office. Film Data Sheets covering most Polaroid films used for business, technical, medical and professional applications are available at no charge on the Web at www.polaroid.com. Pulling the large tab drags the film assembly negative, pod, and positive sheet through the rollers. The pod bursts open and the developer is spread between the positive and negative. It is important to pull the tabs straight and at a steady, moderate speed to ensure the developer is spread evenly. (See page 3.) Development begins immedi- ately, outside the camera or film holder. After the proper development time, the fin- ished picture is peeled away from the negative. (See page 7 for important tips about handling developing pictures.) 2 Formats & Applications The 3 critical keys to quality images There are three Polaroid 4 x 5 1 2 Pack Film formats: 1 5 Image area: 3 /2 x 4 /8 in. Keep the processing Note the temperature... (8.9 x 11.7 cm) rollers in the camera or and time development 1 1 3 /4 x 4 /4 10 pictures per pack film holder clean. accurately. 7 3 Image area: 2 /8 x 3 /4 in. These films are used in Inspect and clean the roller You can take Polaroid (7.3 x 9.5cm) cameras and instruments that surfaces regularly. It is pictures at any temperature. 10 pictures per pack accept the Polaroid Model recommended that you check But, processing time and These films are used in many 550 film holder, including the rollers each time you load the temperature of the film most professional view a pack of film, and before at the time of processing different Polaroid handheld one cameras, such as ProPack cameras, scanning electron each picture-taking session. affect picture quality. Ideally, microscopes, the Polaroid Polaroid films should be and 600SE. They are also Cleaning the rollers is easy. MP 4 and CU-5 Photo- processed at about 70-75oF used with Polaroid Use a soft, non-abrasive two Miniportrait cameras for graphic Systems, and (21-24oC). If the temperature Polaroid Miniportrait cloth, moistened with water is much higher or lower, making instant passport and if necessary. other document photos; the cameras, and many other you may need to adjust pro- Polaroid MP 4, CU-5 and OEM systems. Dry the rollers thoroughly cessing times and/or exposure DS-34 Photographic before use. Do not use settings for best results. Systems; the Polaroid alcohol or other cleaning flu- Make it a habit to check the Palette System; and Polaroid ids, and never scrape the tip sheet packed with ID Systems. They also are Square-format rollers with a hard object or Polaroid films for the latest 1 3 time/temperature processing used in cameras and instru- (3 /4 x 3 /8 in.) with your fingernails. ments manufactured Image area: 2 3/ x 2 7/ in. information. 4 8 Also clean the tab slot on or modified by OEMs to (7 x 7.3 cm) the camera or film holder. accept the Polaroid Model 10 pictures per pack 3 405 film holder or other Use a damp cloth or cotton swab to clean the area. 3 1/ x 4 1/ camera backs. These films are used in Pull the film tabs straight 4 4 Polaroid square format pack Your instruction book Always pull both film tabs film cameras and OEM contains details on locating straight out of the camera photographic systems and cleaning the rollers in or film holder. Since the designed to accept a square- your Polaroid equipment. film should be pulled parallel format camera back. If you need further informa- to the camera back, avoid tion, please call us toll-free camera positions that make at 800-225-1618. tab pulling awkward. If you are using a removable film holder, insert the dark slide, then remove the holder and place it on a flat surface for tab pulling, whenever possible. Pull at a steady, moderate speed. Saying the word Polaroid is a good way to time the speed of the pull. three 1 1 3 /4 x 4 /4 4 x 5 Square-format 3 Avoiding common mistakes Heres a brief list of w Check the camera exposure reminders to help you avoid settings. frustrating moments and unsatisfactory results. If you set the camera for color film (ISO 80/20o), but are w Dont pull the black safety using high speed black and cover out of a film pack white film (ISO3000/36o), before loading the pack into your pictures will be overex- the camera or film holder. posed (too light). If you do, at least one expo- sure will be lost. If you set the camera for high speed black and white film But if you do... (ISO3000/36o), but are using color film (ISO 80/20o), your ...load the film anyway and pictures will be underexposed pull the film tabs for the first (too dark). picture. It will be a totally white image, but the rest of w Pull the film tabs straight the pack should be fine. and in the proper sequence. w If you are using a removable Pull the white tab after film holder, remember making the exposure, then to pull the holders dark side the other tab. Never pull before making an exposure... a white tab before taking the picture. ...and push it back after making the exposure before w If you pull a white tab and removing the holder no other tab appears, dont for off-camera processing. pull another white tab. (See page 9.) w If your camera has a lens cap, dont forget to w Never wave developing remove it! film back and forth in an attempt to keep it warm w If your system has an or cool; this could adversely electronic shutter powered affect image quality. by batteries, be sure the Be careful not to bend or batteries are fresh and squeeze developing film. installed correctly. Dead batteries mean the shutter Questions? Problems? wont work, no exposure Call us, toll-free: will be made, and youll 800-225-1618 end up with a totally black Many common picture- picture (see page 10). taking problems are discussed on pages 8 - 10. But...if you can’t find a solution to a problem you are experiencing, or if you have a question, or need information, please call us. Chances are we can help. The call is toll-free, and we can be reached Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time. 800-225-1618 4 Storing and handling Polaroid films If it’s hotter or colder than 70-75oF (21-24oC)... Note the film Storage recommenda- Read the “Caution” notice You can take Polaroid expiration date tions & cautions pictures at any temperature, w Please note the Caution but when processing Polaroid Always use Polaroid film w Store Polaroid film in a Notice printed on films, you should be aware before the expiration cool, dry place.