Film cameras
Polaroid 215 User manual
User manual for Polaroid 215. 25 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Polaroid
- Model / document
- Polaroid 215
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 25
- File size
- 1.9 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 6 · Read text
HOWTO GETTHE MOSTOUT OF THIS CAMERA
Before you load your camera with film, please be sure to Plan and think before you shoot.
read carefully the first two sections in this booklet: Getting As a quick guide to help you get a good pictureeverytime,
Acquainted, and Operation (the pages with colored edges). here are some helpful hints. They'reimportant.As you read the text and look at the pictures, go through
a l l t h e m o t i o n s o f u s i n g t h e c a m e r a - w i t h o u t f i l m . T h e n 1. Always have the light on the subject coming from
behind you. For best color pictures place your subjectsiny o u ' l l b e c o m p l e t e l y f a m i l i a r w i t h r t b e f o r e y o u m a k e y o u r b r i g h ts u n s h i n e .first oicture.
2. Move in close,to get a big image in the print. This is one of the world's easiest-to-use cameras, once
y o u u n d e r s t a n d a f e w s i m p l e t e c h n i q u e s . H o w e v e r , i t i s 3. Focuscarefully,to get sharp pictures.
v e r y i m p o r t a n t t h a t y o u l e a r n t h e b a s i c o p e r a t i n g s t e p s o r 4. Choosecolorful subjectsfor your color pictures.
y o u ' r e b o u n d t o w a s t e f i l m a n d m o n e y a n d b e d i s a p p o i n t e d 5. Pick a good background,particularlywith flash.
w i t h y o u r p i c t u r e r e s u l t s . 6. Pull the tabs correctly.
O n c e y o u g e t t h e s i m p l e o p e r a t i n g r o u t i n e d o w n p a t , l o a d 7. Time developmentcarefully.a film pack. We suggest that you start with 3000 speed
b l a c k a n d w h i t e f i l m . P l e a s e r e m e m b e r t h a t e v e n t h e f i n e s t B. Keep an eye on the temperature.
c a m e r a a n d f i l m n e e d s o m e h e l p f r o m t h e p h o t o g r a p h e r i f A s y o u g o t h r o u g h t h i s b o o k l e ty o u 'l l f i n d t h e s e p o i n t s
t h e y a r e t o p r o d u c e g o o d p i c t u r e s . T h a t h e l p c a n b e s u m m e d explainedin detail. They can make the differencebetween
u p i n o n e s e n t e n c e : gettinggood picturesand poor ones.
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 6Page 7 · Read text
HOWTO OPENTHE CAMERA GETTINGACQUAINTED
A
l. To unlatchcover,press0n centerof top. 2. Youcanletcoverhangdownor . . . 3. . . . to removeit, pushspring(A) andlift.
4. RaisebuttonNo.l; thisunlockscameralront. 5. Pullcamefatronloutasfarasit willgo.
PHOTO5, IMPORTANT:8e sure to pull the camerafront into place. lf the front isn't fully out and locked,your prints
outuntilthereisadefiniteclickandthelockingbar(A)snapswill comeoutallblack,or badlyblurred,
This booklet is designed to fit neatly inside the cover, under a spring clip (photo 2).
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
HOWTO CLOSEAND COVERTHE CAMERA
Pressdown on the lockingbar. This lf you lraveremovedthe cover:to re- Swing the cover up. Press the top
releasesthe f ront of the camera Push place it, slide the hingedown over the centersectionunderthe f inder housing
the front in all the wav until it locks. lock spring until it snapsinto place. so it latchessecurely.
When storing the camera be sure that nothing presseson the No. 2
button; if it's depressedeven slightly,the battery may be drained.
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 8Page 11 · Read text
HOWTO FOCUSFORPICTURESOF PEOPLE GETTINGACQUAINTED
FOR ADULTS: Placethe top line at the top of your sub' F O R S M A L L G H I L D R E N : l f t h e y ' r e 1 - 3 y e a r s o l d , p l a c e
jcct's forehead,and move the No. 1 buttons to place the t h e t o p l i n e o n t o p o f t h e h e a d a n d t h e m o v i n g l i n e a t t h e
movingline at the bottom of the chin. b o t t o m o f t h e c h i n . W i t h b i g g e r c h i l d r e n , f o c u s i n t h e s a m e
lf the lineswon't separatefar enoughto frame the subject way as for adults.
properly,you're too close; back up a bit.
For vertical pictures, focus with the camera horizontal,then turn it to aim and shoot.
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
PRACTICETHE L, 2,3 SYSTEM GETTINGACQUAINTED
O N E i s f o r f o c u s i n g . L o o k t h r o u g h t h e TWOis for shooting.Practicepressing THREE is for resetting. Right after
f i n d e r a t s o m e o n e n e a r b y . P l a c e t h e t h e N o . 2 b u t t o ns l o w l yu n t i l t h es h u t t e r snappinga picture,alwayspush down
t o p r a n g e f i n d e r l i n e a t t h e t o p o f y o u r c l i c k s .I n d i m l i g h th o l dN o . 2 d o w na n d No. 3 button firmly until it locks and
s u b j e c t ' s f o r e h e a d . P r a c t i c e p u s h i n g stay very still until you hearthe second stays down. This resetsthe shutter for
t h e N o . 1 b u t t o n s t o p l a c e t h e m o v i n g c l i c k a s t h e s h u t t e rc l o s e s . T h e n y o u the next picture. lf you don't reset No.
l i n e a t t h e b o t t o m o f y o u r s u b i e c t ' s c h i n . can move and let No. 2 up. 3 button,you won't be able to shoot.
Donated to www.orphancameras.com 1 1View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
WHATYOU SHOULDKNOWABOUTYOURFILM This camera uses PolaroidLand pack The Polaroidfilm pack containsall films. At presentthere are two: 3000 the materialsto make eight pictures. speed black and white,Type 107, and For each picture there is a piece of 75 speed color, Type 108. There may negativef ilm, a sheet of print paper, be additionaltypesof film in the f uture. and a thin foil container (the pod) You must know the film speed num- filled with the jeily-tike chemicals ber, 3000 or 75, to set the camera needed to develop the picture. controls correctly. However, if you After snappingthe picture,you start forget the number, just look at the developmentby the simple act of pull- film instructionsheet. ing a pieceof paperout of the camera. The film speed number describes This drags the exposed negative, a 3000speedblackandwhitefilm. Setthecamera's how "fast" (light sensitive)the film is. sheet of print paper, and a pod of film selectorto 3000. For example, 75 speed film is tairly chemicals between two steel rollers. "fast" but should be used in bright The pressureof the rollers squashes daylightor with flash for good results. the pod, spreading the chemicals However, 3000 speed black and betweenthe negativeand print paper white is 40X as "fast" as75 speedcolor to form a picture"sandwich". film, so you can make pictures with it The picture develops outside the where there isn't enough light to use camera. After the recommendeddevel- 75 speed film. Of course, you can opmenttime you separatet he sandwich use 3000 speed film in daylight or and there is your finishedpicture. with flash, too. 75speedcolorfilm. Setthefilmselectorto 75. t2 Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 13
Page 14 · Read text
HOW TO LOAD A FILM PACK:OPENTHE PACKAGE OPERATION
A specialrequest!
As soon as you open the film pack you
will begin to accumulate waste paper.
There will be more when you develop the
pictures. We hope that it won't become
litter in the streets or be scattered around
the landscape.
What to do with the wastepaper? Usually,
it will fit into an empty film box. Or, if
you're planning to take lots of outdoor
pictures, bring along a paper bag or other
container for waste. Everyone will appre-
ciate this little extra effort on your part.
Open the top of the box. With color film there's a set of middle of the package. Startingat the corner,tear open the
mounts; with black and white film there's a coater. Remove entire side of the packagealong the dotted line. When the
these and the instructionsheet (pleaseread it). Pull out the side is open, rip apart the front and back of the package.
film package. Handle it gently, carefully. Save the box to Lift out the pack. Discard the little package of silica gel
carry prints in safely. lt also can be very useful when coating suppliedwith colorfilm. Handlethe pack by the edgesonly.
blackand white prints. Always open the package and load film in the shade, not
Hold the packagenear the edges. Don't press hard on the in direct sunlight,to avoid foggingthe film.
Donated to www.orphancameras.com 13View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
HOW TO LOADA FILM PACK (Cont.)
l. Pushthebackdoorlatch;thedoorwillpopup. 2. 0penit all theway.Aretherollers(A) clean? 3. Holdthe film packby the edgesas shown
lf not,cleanthemas describedin thesectionon andpushthe closedendof the packunderthe
careof yourcamera. doorhingeagainstspringtension.
4. Pushthe packdownintothe camera.You'll 5. & 6. Besurethewhitetabsarefreeandnotfoldedunder.Closethe backdoor.Pressbothsides
feelit snapintoplace. firmlyto besurethatbothsideslatch.Theblacktabof thesafetycovermuststickoutof thesmallslot.
lf not,reopentheback,leadthetabout.
14 Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
OPERATION
7 . & 8 .Pull the safetycoverall the wayoutof thecamerawithoutstopprng.Don'trrpit. 9. Withthe safetycoverout,the white
tab(A) shouldstickoutof thesmallslot
(No.a). Don'tpullthewhitetab. You're
nowreadyfor thefirstpicture.
1. lf there'snowhitetabin theNo.4 2. Openthe backof thecamerapartwayand,without 3. Closethebackof thecamera,makingsurethatboth
slot,dothefollowingin theshadeor disturbingor movingthefilmpack,pushthewhitetab sidesarelockedsecurelvandthe whitetab is outside
indoors,notin brightsun. outintotheopen. in the No.4 slot.
Donated to www.orphancameras.com 15View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
HOW TO SET THE CAMERAFOR3OOOSPEEDFI Set the Film Selectoras shownfor blackand white pictures Set the white dot on the Lighten/Darken(L/D) control next with 3000 speedfilm. to the arrow,as shown. This is the Normal position. 16 Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 17
Page 18 · Read text
OPERATION I, rtps FoRcooD DAYLIcHTBLAcKANDwHlrE PlcruREs
Use bright, even light, coming from behind you: Place to get something big and solid looking into the foreground
yourself so the light on the subject is coming over your to help fill the print and add a feelingof distance.I shoulder, Don't havethe subject betweenyou and the sun. Time developmentcarefully: Followthe recommendations For portraitsyou'll get best resultswhen a cloud blocksthe in the film instructionsheet. These may changefrom time directsun, or on an overcastbut bright day, or in open shade' t o t i m e . W i t h b l a c k a n d w h i t e f i l m n o h a r m i s d o n e i f y o u For scenic pictures,avoid high overheadsun, shoot with overdevelopfor a few extra seconds;in fact, it may improve the light coming from behind you and from the side. some pictures. However,if you develop for less than the
Avoid dim light: The shutter moves slowly and your recommendedtime, your pictures will be of poor quality,
picture may be blurred. But if you are using 3000 speed with a gray, washed-outlook.
film and must make a picture without flash in dim light'
follow the suggestionson Page 31. Keep an eye on the temperature: Cold weather can affect
Watch the background: The light on the background' the quality of your pictures. Be sure to read page 25, which
behind your subject, should be just about as bright as the explains how the temperature affects your pictures and
light on the s ubj ect. Don't p hotograph someone i n the shade what to do about it.
if the backgroundis out in the open and brightlylit. Strong lf your picture is too dark or too light: Use the L/D control
light behindthe subjectwill "fool" the electriceye (page30). as shown on page 26 to make the next one of the same sub-
Move in close: The biggeryour subject is in the print, the ject, in the same locationand lighting conditions,come out
more details you'll be able to see. For scenic pictures,try exactly as you want it to.
Never try to use flash with daylight pictures.
Donated to www.orphancameras.com t7IIView original page 18Page 19 · Read text
HOWTO SET THE CAMERAFOR75 SPEEDCOLORFILM
C A M T
,7.%/r/Kt:z/lt7r1
Set the Film Selectoras shown abovefor all color pictures. they are important. The new positionof the L/D controlthen
Set the Lighten/Darkencontrol (right) to Normal, as shown, becomesthe Normal setting for all daylight pictures made
with this exception. On some color film packsyou'll find a with that pack. You can still make your pictures lighter or
printed instructiontelling you to set the L/D control one mark darker (page 26) with the L/D control. lf there's nispecial
toward Lightenfor all picturesmade with that pack. Please instruction on the pack, set the L/D control to Normal as
followthose instructions,which may vary from pack to pack; shown above.
Donated to www.orphancameras.comt8View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
T
II
TIPS FORGOODDAYLIGHTCOLORPICTURES OPERATION
Use bright sun, coming from behind you: You'll get ject isn't wearing colorful clothes, add color with a bright
strongestcolors if your sublect is in bright sun (but you can shirt, scarf, or jacket. Or, find a colorful background-
also get pleasing results on an overcast but very bright day)' anything that will fill at least one-thirdof the picture area
Standso the light on the subjectis coming overyour shoulder. with strong,solid color.
Don't havethe subject betweenyou and the sun. Time developmentcarefully: Followthe recommendations
Avoid dim lightr The shutter movesslowlyand your picture in the film instructionsheet. These may change from time
may be blurred. to time. Use an accuratetimepiece. lf you have a Polaroid
Move in close: The biggeryour subjectis in the print, the DevelopmentTimer, check it occasionallyagainst a watch
more color and detail you'll be able to see' For scenic pic- with a second hand; if it's fast or slow, allow for this when
tures, try to get something big, solid looking, and colorful developingyour pictures. A few secondsoverdevelopment
into the foreground. is not harmful, but prints that are much overdevelopedmay
look too bluish;those that aren't developed long enough Focus carefully: Focus on the main sublect. lt will be will have a pinkish cast and the colors will be weak. sharp, but objects much farther or nearer than the subiect
may be fuzzy. Keep an eye on the temperature: Cold weather or exces-
Watch the background: The light on the background sive heat can affect the quality of your pictures. Be sure to how the temperature affects explains which page 25, read subject. on the as the light as bright should be lust abor"rt to do about it. your pictures what and background if the shade in the someone Don't photograph
is out in the open and brightly lit' The strong light behind lf your picture is too dark or too light: Use the L/D control
the subjectwill "fool" the electriceye (see page 30). as shown on page 26 to make the next one of the same sub-
Have plenty of color: Look for subiects and backgrounds ject, in the same locationand lightingconditions,come out
with strong, bright colors in big, solid chunks. lf your sub- exactly as you want it to,
Never try to use flash with daylight color pictures.
Donated to www.orphancameras.com 19IView original page 20Page 21 · Read text
HOWTO TAKE A PICTURE
FOCUS: Look at your subject through the finder moving line at the bottom of the subject'schin. For pictures 1
r window. Come close enoughto f ill most of the f rame. of children, pets, nearby objects, and scenics, follow the
Placethe top line of the rangefinderat the top of your sub- focusinginstructionson pages9 and 10.
ject's forehead. Then push the No. 1 buttons to place the
Donated to www.orphancameras.com20View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
OPERATION
t S H O O T : F i r m l y b u t s m o o t h l y p r e s s b u t t o n N o . 2 , t h e 2 RESET:lmmediatelyafter snappinga picture,press
Z s h u t t e r r e l e a s e , u n t i l y o u h e a r a l o u d c l i c k . D o n ' t r, No.3 buttondownfirmly until it locksand staysdown.
j a b a t N o . 2 - y o u m a y s h a k e t h e c a m e r a . W h e n s h o o t i n g This resetsthe shutter so you'll be readyfor the next picture.
c o l o r i n t h e s h a d e o r b l a c k a n d w h i t e i n d i m l i g h t , h o l d N o . 2 Alwaysreset No. 3 right away.
d o w n a n d d o n ' t m o v e u n t i l y o u h e a r a s e c o n d c l i c k a s t h e
s h u t t e r c l o s e s . T h e n l e t N o . 2 b u t t o n c o m e u p .
Donated to www.orphancameras.com 2 LView original page 22Page 23 · Read text
HOWTO DEVELOPTHE PRINT
\ I
I I
First,thesmallwhitetab. Pullit all thewayoutof thecamera.Don'tblockthedoor(A), Next,thelargeyellowtab.
i PUIL THE TABS: Hold the camera in your left hand, When you pull the yellow tab, hold the camera so the lens '? as shown. (Don't hold it any other way!) Graspthe faces straight ahead of you, not pointing down. This, plus
snrall white tab betweenthe thumb and forefingerand pull grippingthe center of the tab, helpsyou to pull it out straight.
it straight out of the camera, all the way, without stopping. Pull the yellow tab straight out of the camera all the way,When you pull the white tab out, a concealed door (A) swiftly,without hesitating. This starts developmentof youropensand a yellowtab popsout. Don'tblockthis door in any picture,so begin timing as soon as you get the tab out. Howway while pullingthe tabs. fast is a swift pull? lt should take about as long as it takes Pullingthe small white tab does not start development. you to say "PULL lT" briskly, each time you pull the tab.It only preparesthe film for the next step, which is pulling lf your picture is full of white specks,pull a bit slower.the yellow tab. Grip the yellow tab in the center so it will
come out straight when you pull it out of the camera. lf you The picture develops outside the camera. While it's de-
pull the yellowtab out at an angle,one edge of your picture veloping, hold the tab by the yellow tip, or lay the picture
may not develop properly. assembly down flat. Don't touch or bend the white paper I
Donated to www.orphancameras.com I't22View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
PULLSTRAIGHT,PULL SWIFTLY OPERATION
Pullit straightoutof thecamera,swiftly. Begintimingdevelopment. Stripoffthewhiteprint. FoldFoldupup thethenegative.negative.
or lift it off. Outdoors,don't let the picture assemblyflap Avoid contactwith chemicalsleft on the negativeafter the
in the breeze. Developthe picturefor the full time recom- print is removed. (Be sure to read the CAUTloNparagraph
mendedin the film instructionsheet. about this in your film instructions.)Fold up the negative
with the moist side in. Pleaseput it in a wastebasketor After the recommendeddevelopmenttime, quickly strip film box. Don't be a litterbug!the white print off the brown paper startingfrom the end
nearestto the yellowtab. A color print will look nearlydry, lf no yellowtab pops out when you pull the white tab, stop.
but don't touch the face for a few minutes. lt will harden Don't pull anotherwhite tab. Page24 showsyou what to do
to a tough,glossyfinish. When it is dry, mount it on a color in this situation.
p r i n t m o u n t ,w h i c h i s s u p p l i e dw i t h t h e f i l m . Never pull a white tab when you can see a yellow tab. lf
Don't touch the face of black and white prints. You must you do so accidentally,don't pull the yellowtabs that appear
coat them to preventfading and other damage (see page 27 or you'll spreaddeveloperall over the rollers. Instead,re-
for how to coat prints). move the yellowtabs as shownon page24.
CheckDonatedthe temperature!to www.orphancameras.comlt's important. See page 25. 23View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
IF NO YELLOWTAB APPEARSWHENYOU PULLTHE WHITETAB, STOP! D o n ' t p u l l a n o t h e r w h i t e t a b . I n s t e a d , g e n t l y o p e n t h e o r i n t h e s h a d e . W h i l e h o l d i n g t h e p a c k d o w n l i g h i l y ( p i c t u r e c a m e r a b a c k j u s t e n o u g h t o g e t o n e f i n g e r u n d e r i t t o h o l d a t l e f t ) s l o w l y o p e n t h e b a c k a l l t h e w a y a n d t a k e h o l d o f t h e d o w n t h e f i l m p a c k a n d k e e p i t i n p l a c e . D o t h i s i n d o o r s t o p m o s t y e l l o w P U L L t a b , a s s h o w n . G e n t l y p u l l t h e e n t i r e p i c t u r e a s s e m b l y a l l t h e w a y o u t o f C l o s e t h e b a c k o f t h e c a m e r a , making sure that the next t h e p a c k a n d d i s c a r d i t . D o n ' t t r y t o s a v e i t . W h i l e t h e b a c k w h i t e t a b s t i c k s o u t o f t h e s m a l l slot next to No. 4. Check d o o r i s o p e n c h e c k t h a t t h e r o l l e r s a r e c l e a n ( p a g e 3 2 ) . t h a t b o t h s i d e s o f t h e b a c k l a t c h secu rely. 24 Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 25
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PDF verified 2026-10-10.