Polaroid 125 User manual

CONTENTS

GettingAcquainted                                           Page       lf no yellowtab pops out                         20
I ntrod ucti on                                                                             . 2     Checkthe temperature! lt's important              2 t
How to open the camera                           3   How to make daylight pictures lighter or darker       22
How to close and cover the camera                   4    Black and white prints must be coated              23
How to hold the camera                           5    Troublesomelightingsituationsto avoid .            24
How to focus for sharp pictures                      6    Black and white picturesin dim daylight .           25
Before loadingfilm, practice the l, 2, 3 system                   I     Flash pictures      .                            26
                                        Miscellaneous
Operation   (see the rcd-cdged pages)                                            Some helpful accessories .    .                    27
How to load a film pack                            9    You must take care of your camera                2A
How to set the camera for a daylight black & white picture I2     Picturetroubles,their cause and cure              30
Tips for good daylight black and white pictures       13   How to use the Cold-Clipwith color film             34
How to set the camera for a daylight color picture      L4    Protect film and camera from heat .                36
Tips lor good daylight color pictures                 1 5   Whereto write for information                   36
How to take a picture                             1 6    Warranty                                   36
How to develop the print                       18     List of repair stations                          37


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HOW TO GETTHE MOSTOUT OF THIS CAMERA

  This is one of the world's easiest-to-usecameras, once    read carefully the instruction sheet packed with your film.
you understand a few simple techniques. However, it  is   Those instructionsmay change from time to time, so it's a
very important that you learn the basic operating steps or    good idea to reviewthe film instructionsheet occasionally.
you're bound to waste film and money and be disappointed    As a quick guide to help you get a good pictureeverytime,
with your picture results.                                here are seven helpful hints. They're important.
  With this camera, snap all your outdoor pictures in bright     1.  In daylight pictures always have the light on the subject
daylight, shoot all indoor pictures with flash.               coming from behind you.  For best color pictures place your                                                        subjectsin bright sunshine.
  Before you load your camera with film, please be sure to                                                                     2. Move in close, to get a big image in the print,read carefullythe first two sectionsin this booklet: Getting
Acquainted, and Operation (the red edged pages). As you     3.  Choosecolorful subjects for your color pictures.
read the text and look at the pictures, go through all the     4.  Pick a good background, particularly with flash.
motionsof using the camera-  without film.                                                                     5.  Pull the tab correctly.
  Once you get the simple operating routine down pat, load     6.  Time development carefully.
afilm pack. Wesuggestthatyoustartwith3000speed black
and white film. Pleaserememberthateventhefinestcamera    7.  Keep an eye on the temperature.
and film need some help from the photographerif they are     As you go through this bookletyou'l I fi nd these seven points
to producegood pictures. That help can be summed up in    explainedin detail. They can make the differencebetween
one sentence:Plan and think before you shoot. As a starter,    getting good pictures and poor ones.



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HOW TO OPENTHE CAMERA                         GETTINGACQUAINTED





 J
1. To unlatchcover,presson centerof top.        2, Youcanlet coverhangdownor                     to removeit, pushspring(arrow)andlift,





4.4. RaiseHalsebuttonbuttonN0.No.l;1;thisthisunlocksunlockscameracamerafront.front.    5. Pullcamerafrontoutasfar asit willgo.
PHOTO5' IMPORTANT:Be sureto pullthecamerafrontout    into place. lf the front isn't fully out and locked,your prints
until there is a definiteclick and the lockingbar (arrow)snaps    witl come out all black, or badly blurred.
               This booklet is designed to fit neatly inside the cover, under a spring ctip (photo 2).
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PW TO CLOSEAND COVERTHE CAMERA

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  Pressdownon the lockingbar. This     lfyou haveremovedthe cover:to re.    Swingthe cover up, Pressthe top
releasesthe frontot the camera.Push   placeit, slidethe hingedownoverthe   centersectionunderthe finderhousing
the lront in all the wayuntil it locks.     lock springuntil it snapsinto place.     so it latchessecurely.
                   when storing the camera be sure that nothing presseson the No. 2
                          button;   if  it's depressed even slighily, the battery may be drained.
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HOWTO HOLDTHE CAMERA                                                GETTINGACQUAINTED





 HORIZONTAL:Grip the two ends. placeyour forefingerson     VERTIGAL:Grip the camera as you wourd for a horizontal
the No. 1 buttons;youcan easilyshift the right forefingerto     picture,turn it soyour right hand is below. Bracethe camera
No. 2 button. To steadythe camera, press your elbowi into    againstyour foreheadand face.your ribs; rest the cameraagainstyour nose.
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HOWTO FOCUSFOR PICTURESOF PEOPLE





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 t*  1/,
1. Holdingthecamera horizontal,look    2. Place the top white line (red here)    3. Move the No. L buttons back and
at your subjectthroughthe finder. Put    at the top of your subject'sforehead.   forth to place the moving line at the
your forefingerson both No. L buttons,   With small children (1-3 years) place   bottom of your subject'schin.
as shown, and push them all the way    the top line at the top of the head.                lf the lines won't separatefar enough
to the left. For vertical pictures, focus                                                 to frame the subject properly, you're
with the camera horizontal,then turn                                           too close; back up a bit.
it to aim and shoot.                                                  The inside points of the diamonds
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FOCUSINGFORDAYLIGHTPICTURESOTHERTHAN PORTRAITS
 l-*r

                                 !}              a



            INF.
             20
  ag   104              a
                  3'h

       e     a    a
 HOW TO FOCUSFOR PETS, BABIES, OBJECTS: For pic-   HOW TO FOCUSFOR SCENICPICTURES: For all scenics,
tures of babies, pets, and inanimate objects up to 20  tt.   and for all pictures of subjects more than 20 ft. from the
from the camera, estimate carefully the distance from the    camera, push the No. 1 buttons to set the white arrow (red
camera to the subject. Then push the No. 1 buttons back    here) oppositethe INF (infinity) setting. Do not use the
and forth until the white arrow (red here) points to that    white lines in the rangefinder;theyare for picturesof people
                (3Yzestimated         distance                                 tt. here).
                   subjects                         such                    forin the rangefinder                        DoDonatedasnotthese.use thetowhitewww.orphancameras.comlines   up to 20 ft. from the camera.                                                                                      7

BEFORELOADTNGF|LM,PRACTTCETHE 1, 2, 3 SYSTEM





 ONE is for focusing.Lookthroughthe    TWOis for shooting. Practicepressing    THREE is for resetting. Right after
finder at someonenearbyand push the    the No. 2 buttonslowlyuntilthe shutter    snappinga picture,always push down
No. 1 buttons all the way to the left.    clicks. In dim light hold No.2 downand    No. 3 button firmly until it locks and
Placethe top rangefinderline at the top    stay very still untilyou hear the second    stays down. This resets the shutter for
of your subject's forehead.  Practice    click as the shutter closes. Then you    the next picture.   lf you don't reset
pushingthe No. I buttonsto place the    can move and let No. 2 up.  lf nothing    No.3 button,you won't be able to shoot
moving line at the bottom of your    happenswhenyou pressNo.2, perhaps    your next picture; nothing will happen
subject'schin.                        you forgot to reset No. 3 (rieht).         when you press No. 2 button.
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LOADING(Cont.)





1. Pushthebackdoorlatch: thedoorwillpopup.     2. 0penit all the way.Arethe rollers(arrow)     3. Holdthefilm packby theedgesas shown,
                                       clean?ff not,cleanthemas shownon page28.     andpushtheclosedendof thepackunderthe'
                                                                              doorhingeagainstspringteniion.





4. Pushthepackdownintothecamera.You'll     5. & 6. Be surethe whitetabsarefreeandnotfoldedunder.Closethebackdoor.Pressbothsides
feelit snapintoplace.                          firmlyto besurethatbothsideslatch.Theblacktabof thesafetycovermuststickoutof thesmallslot.
                                                                       lf not,reopentheback,leadthetabout.
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7. & 8. Pullthesafetycoverallthewayoutof thecamerawithoutstopping.Don'trip it.                         9. Withthe safetycoverout,the white
                                                                                        tab (arrow) shouldstick out of the
                                                                                    smallslot(No. 4). Don'tpull the white
                                                                                        tab You'renowreadyfor thefirstpicture.
IF NO WHITE TAB APPEARS





lf there'sno whitetab to pull,     0penthe backof thecamerapartwayand,without    Closethe backof the camera,makingsurethatboth
do the followingin the shadeor      disturbingor movingthe film pack,pushthe white     sidesarelockedsecurelyandthewhitetab is outside
indoors,notin thebrightsun.          taboutintotheopen.                                  in theNo.4 slot.
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HOWTO SET THE CAMERAFOR3OOOSPEEDFILM





  Set the Film Selectoras shownfor black and white pictures      Set the white dot on the LightenlDarken(L/D) control next
with 3000 speed film.                                             to the arrow,as shown. This is the Normalposition.

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TIPS FORGOODDAYLIGHTBLACKAND WHITEPICTURES               OPERATION


  usE BR|GHT,EVENL|GHT,COMTNGFROMBEHTNDYOU:     try to get somethingbig and solid lookinginto the foreground
Placeyourselfso the light on the subject is coming over your    to help fill the print and add a feeling of distance.
shoulder. Don't have the subject betweenyou and the sun.
For portraits you'll get best results when a cloud blocks the     TIME DEVELOPMENTCAREFULLY:Followthe recommen-
                                                         dations in the film instruction sheet. These may changedirect sun, or on an overcastbut bright day, or in open shade.
                                                      from time to time. With black and white film no harm is  For scenic pictures, avoid high overheadsun, shoot with
                                                   done if you overdevelopfor a few extra seconds; in fact, itthe light coming from behind you and from the side.                                              may improve some pictures. However,if you developfor less AVOID DIM LIGHT: The shutter moves slowly and your                                                       than the recommendedtime, your pictures will be of poor
picture may be blurred. But if you are using 3000 speed    quality,with a gray, washed-outlook.film and must make a picture without flash in dim light,
follow the suggestions on page 25.                    KEEP AN EYE ON THE TEMPERATURE:Cold weather can
 WATCHTHE BACKGROUND:The light on the background,   affect the quality of your pictures. Be sure to read page
behind your subject, should be just about as bright as the    21, which explainshow the temperatureaffectsyour pictures
light on the subject. Don't photographsomeonein the shade   and what to do about it.
if the backgroundis out in the open and brightly lit. Strong      lF YOURPICTURElS TOO DARK OR TOO LTGHT: Use the
light behind the subject will "fool" the electric eye (page24).    L/D control as shown on page 22to make the next one of the
 MOVElN CLOSE: The bigger your subject is in the print,   same subject, in the same locationand lighting conditions,
the more details you'll be able to see. For scenic pictures,   come out exactly as you want it to.

                               Never try to use flash with daylight pictures.

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HOWTO SET THE CAMERAFORCOLORPICTURES





  Set the Film Selectoras shownabovefor all color pictures.   they are important. The new positionof the L/D control then
Set the Lighten/Darkencontrol (right) to Normal,as shown,   becomesthe Normal setting for all daylight pictures made
with this exception.On some color film packs you'll find a    with that pack. You can still make your pictures lighter or
printed instructiontellingyou to set the L/Dcontrolone mark    darker (p. 22) with the L/D control. lf there's no special
toward Lightenfor all picturesmade with that pack. Please   instructionon the pack, set the L/D control to Normal as
folfow those instructions,which may vary from pack to pack;   shownabove.



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TIPS FORGOODDAYLIGHTCOLORPICTURES                       OPERATION

 USE BRIGHT SUN, COMING FROM BEHIND YOU: You'll   your subject isn't wearing colorful clothes, add color with a
get strongestcolors if your subject is in bright sun (but you     bright shirt, scarf, or jacket. Or, find a colorful background
can also get pleasing results on an overcast but very bright      -  anything that will fill at least one-third of the picture area
day). Stand so the light on the subject is coming over your    with strong, solid color.
shoulder. Don't have the subject between you and the sun.     TIME DEVELOPMENTCAREFULLY:Followthe recommen-
 AVOID DIM LIGHT: The shutter moves slowly and your    dations in the film instruction sheet. These may change
picture may be blurred.                                    from time to time. Use an accuratetimepiece. lf you have a
 MOVE lN GLOSE:The bigger your subject is in the print,    Polaroid DevelopmentTimer, check it occasionallyagainst
the more color and detail you'll be able to see. For scenic   a watch with a second hand; if it's fast or slow, allow for this
pictures,try to get something big, solid looking, and colorful   when developingyour pictures. A few seconds overdevelop-
into the foreground.                                   ment is not harmful, but prints that are much overdeveloped
 FOCUSCAREFULLY:Focuson the main subject. lt will be   may look too bluish;those that aren't developedlong enough
sharp, but objects much farther or nearer than the subject     will have a pinkishcast and the colorswill be weak.
may be fuzzy.                                   KEEP AN EYE ON THE TEMPERATURE:Cold weather or
 WATCHTHE BACKGROUND:The light on the background   excessive heat can affect the quality of your pictures. Be
should be just about as bright as the light on the subject.   sure to read page 21, which explains how the temperature
Don't photograph someone in the shade if the background    affectsyour picturesand what to do about it.
is out in the open and brightly lit. The strong light behind the       lF YOUR PICTURE!S TOO DARK OR TOO LIGHT: Use the
subject will "fool" the electric eye (see page24).               L/D control as shown on page 22to make the next one of the
 HAVE PLENTY OF COLOR: Look for subjects and back-   same subject, in the same location and lighting conditions,
grounds with strong, bright colors in big, solid chunks. lf   come out exactlyasyou want itto.

                             Never try to use flash with daylight color pictures.
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TO TAKEA PICTURE

                              a     a      a     a



                                                                               INF.
                                                                         20
                                                                            10
                           AZ    4             a
                                                                                                      3th

                            o                 a

1    FOCUS: Look at your subject through the finder    forehead.Then push the No. 1 buttons to place the moving
 r     window. Come close enough to  fill most of the     line at the bottom of the subject's chin.  For pictures of
frame. Push the No. 1 buttonsallthe way to the left; place   babies,pets, nearbyobjects,and scenics,follow the focusing
the top line of the rangefinderat the top of your subject's   instructionson page 7.

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DEVELOPTHE PRINT
                                                  1





First,thesmallwhitetab.Pullit all thewayoutof thecamera.Don'tblockthedoor(arrow).         Next,thelargeyellowtab.

'fA    PULLTHE TABS: Hold the camera in your left hand,          lf no yellow tab pops out when you pull the white tab, stop.      as shown. (Don't hold it any other way!) Grasp the    Don't pull anotherwhite tab. Page20 showsyou what to do
small white tab betweenthe thumb and forefingerand pull     in this situation.
it straight out of the camera, all the way, without stopping.     Never pull a white tab when you can see a yellow tab.   lf
When you pull the white tab out, a concealeddoor (arrow)   you do so accidentally,don't pull the yellowtabs that appear
opens and a yellow tab pops out. Don't block this door in     or you'll spread developerall over the rollers. Instead,as
any way while pullingthe tabs.                         shownon page20, carefullyopen the cameraback,disengage
  Pulling the small white tab does not start development.   the tabs from the tab slot and rollers,removethe two picture
It only preparesthe film for the next step, which is pulling   assemblies,and closethe back.
the yellow tab. Grip the yellowtab in the center so it will    When you pull the yellow tab, hold the camera so the lens
come out straightwhen you pull it out of the camera.  lf you    faces straight ahead of you, not pointing down. This, plus
pull the yellow tab out at an angle,one edge of your picture   grippingthe centerof the tab, helpsyou to pull it out straight.
may not developproperly.
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PULLSTRA|GHT,PULL SWIFTLY                                OPERATION
I                   Y'
I4,




    Pullit straightoutof thecamera,swiftly.Begintimingdevelopment.       Liftoffthewhiteprintquickly.      FoldFoldupup thethenegative.negative.

      Pull the yellow tab straight out of the camera all the way,      After the recommendeddevelopmenttime, quicklystrip the
    swiftly,without hesitating. This starts developmentof your    white print off the brown paper startingfrom the end nearest
    picture,so begin timing as soon as you get the tab out. How    to theyellowtab. A color print will look nearlydry, but don't
    fast is a swift pull? lt should take about as long as it takes   touch the face for a few minutes. lt will hardento a tough,
   you to say "PULL lT" briskly,each time you pull the tab.  lf    glossyfinish. When it is dry, mount it on a color print mount,
   your pictureis full of white specks,pull a bit slower.         which is suppliedwith the film.
    The picture developsoutside the camera. While it's de-      Don't touch the face of black and white prints. you must
    veloping,hold the tab by the yellow tip, or lay the picture   coat them to preventfading and other damage (see page 23
   assemblydown flat. Don'ttouch or bend the white paper or     for how to coat prints).
      lift it off. Outdoors,don't let the pictureassemblyflap in the     To avoid contact with chemicals left after the print is re-
   breeze. Developthe picturefor the full time recommended  moved, fold up the negativewith the moist side in. please
    in the film instructionsheet.                                put it in a waste basketor film box. Don't be a litterbug!
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                             Gheck the temperature!   lt's important. See page 21.                       19