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Polaroid Countdown 70 User manual
User manual for Polaroid Countdown 70. 28 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 Countdown 70
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 28
- File size
- 2.1 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
WITH THIS CAMERA,USE
PolaroidLandpackfilm Type108(color)
or Type107(blackandwhite)
. J
G.E.Hi-Powerflashcubes,or equivalent.
:
YOURFIRSTPICTUREI
To be surethat it's a success,we suggestthat you makeit indoors
withflash,exactlyas describedon page22.
BUT,BEFOREYOUSTART
pleasereadthisbookcarefullysoyouwillknowhowto usethe camera
andwhereto lookfor anyinformation.lf youdo notfollowthe instruc-
tions,youwill notgetgoodpictures.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 3Page 7 · Read text
HOw TO MAKEA PICTURE:A QUICKLOOK
This is a previewof what you will find
in this book. These are the easy steps
you take to make an instant picture-
color or black and white - with this
PolaroidLand camera.
A
I NSERT FLASHCUB E AND FOCUS
p. 11 1
Before starting you set two simple con-
trols: (A) the Film Selectorand (B) the
Lighten/Darkencontrol(p. 14 and 15).
pictures, To make flash attach the PULLWHITETAB PULL YELLOWTAB p.flash unit (see 11). When making
non-flashpictures, leave off the flash p.26 p.27 6 7unit and omit steps1 and 5.
4 www.orphancameras.comView original page 7Page 9 · Read text
HOWTO OPENAND CLOSETHE CAMERA
\
^J
1. To unlatchcover,presson centerof top.You 2. To removeit, pushspring(A) andlift hinge 3. RaisebuttonNo.I ; thisunlockscameraf ront.
canletcoverhangdown. (B).Toreplace,slidehingedownoverspring.
4. Pullcamerafrontout as far as it will go. Be 5. To closecamera,pressdownon lockingbar
surelockingbar (A) snapsinto place.lf not, andpushcamerafrontin untilit locks.
youmaygetblurredpictures.
When storing the camera be sure that nothing presses on the No. 2
button; if it's depressed even slightly, the battery may be drained.
www.orphancameras.com6View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
HOWTO HOLDTHE CAMERA HORIZONTAL:Grip the two ends. Placeyour forefingerson VERTICAL:Grip the camera as you would for a horizontal the No. 1 buttons;you can easilyshift the right forefingerto picture,turn it so your right hand is below.Bracethe camera the No. 2 button. To steady the camera, press your elbows againstyour foreheadand face. into your ribs;rest the cameraagainstyour nose.View original page 10
Page 11 · Read text
HOWTO USETHE VIEWFINDER L o o k i n g t h r o u g h t h e v i e w f i n d e r w i n d o w ( A ) y o u ' l l s e e a s u b j e c t i s v e r y c l o s e ( 3 % f t . , f o r e x a m p l e ) , a l l o w a l i t t l e e x t r a b r i g h t , w h i t e b r o k e n l i n e . F r a m e t h e s c e n e w i t h t h i s l i n e . s p a c e b e t w e e n y o u r s u b j e c t a n d t h e t o p f r a m e l i n e , a s s h o w n A l w a y s t r y t o l o o k t h r o u g h t h e c e n t e r o f t h e w i n d o w a n d above. lf not, you may accidentally cut off the top of some- c o n c e n t r a t e o n y o u r s u b j e c t , n o t o n t h e w h i t e l i n e . l f y o u r o n e ' s h e a d i n y o u r p i c t u r e . 8 www.orphancameras.comView original page 11
Page 12 · Read text
HOWTO FOCUSWITH THE RANGEFINDER
OUT OF FOCUS
here(B1at thebrightspot.a No.I buttons.
IN FOCUS
€ > /
H o l d i n g t h e c a m e r a h o r i z o n t a l , p l a c e y o u r f o r e f i n g e r s o n b r i g h t s p o t ; t h i s m e a n s t h a t t h e c a m e r a i s n o t f o c u s e d f o r
b o t h N o . 1 b u t t o n s a s s h o w n a n d p u s h t h e m a l l t h e w a y t o t h a t d i s t a n c e . P u s h t h e N o . 1 b u t t o n s b a c k a n d f o r t h u n t i l
y o u r l e f t . L o o k t h r o u g h t h e F o c u s w i n d o w ( B ) a n d a i m t h e t h e t w o i m a g e s b e c o m e o n e - s h a r p a n d c l e a r . N o w t h e
b r i g h t s p o t i n t h e c e n t e r a t a n e a r b y s u b j e c t ( a b o u t 4 ' f t . a w a y , camera is focused. For vertical pictures, you can focus with
f o r e x a m p l e ) . Y o u s h o u l d s e e t w o i m a g e s o f y o u r t a r g e t i n t h e t h e c a m e r a h o r i z o n t a l ,t u r n i t t o a i m a n d s h o o t .
To get correct flash exposures, you must focus accurately (see page 13).View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
KNOWYOURFLASHUNIT AND FLASHCUBES
The PolaroidFocusedFlash unit is de- of the flash unit is a Lighten/Darken
signed for use only with G.E. Hi-Power control (C) for adjustment of individual
flashcubes, or equivalent. With the flash exposures(see pages 15 and 35).
flash unit attached and plugged into The flash unit has a compartment (D)
the camera,the shutteris automatically in the rear for two batteries.
set at a constant speed. In front of the
flashcube there is a set of variable
louvers (A). To get correctly exposed
pictures, these louvers automatically
open and close by the requiredamount
as the camera is focused on the sub-
ject. The total flash range extends f rom
3Y2tt. to about 1Oft. f rom the camera.
You must focus accurately, to get a
correct exposure ( see page 12 ). Each
flashcubegivesfour flashes.After each
flash you must push forward the lever
(B) in order to rotate the cube in readi- D
ness for the next picture. After the
flashfourth the lever will not return to C position,its normal indicating that the
cube must be changed.The light given BEFOREYOU CAN TAKE FLASH PIC-
by the flashcubes is balanced to re- TURES, YOU MUST INSERT FLASH
semble average daylight and will give BATTERIES:These are provided sep-
excellent results with both Polacolor arately with your flash unit. For full
and black and white films. On the rear loadinginstructions,see page39.
10 www.orphancameras.comView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
HOWTO ATTACHAND REMOVETHE FLASHUNIT
Holdthe flash unit as shown.Slidethe rails(E) on the bottom into the outlet (G). To removethe unit, pull out the plug and
of the unit onto the cameraconnector(F).Slidethe unit on all slide the unit off the cameraconnector.
the way, till it comes to a firm stop. Push the flash cord plug
El
HOWTO INSERTA FLASHCUBE
Holdthe cubeas shown,so its sidesare paralleltothe sidesof
the flash unit. Be sure that the cube socket (H) is directly
abovethe pin (l) in the flash unit, and then push the cube
down firmly so that (H) engageson (l). To remove a used
cube, pull it up.
Use only G.E. Hi-Powerflashcubes,or equivalent.
1 1View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
THE CUBE ROTATIONLEVER WHY YOU MUST FOCUS
ACCURATELYWHENAfter each of the four flashes is fired,
the flashcube must be rotated to the USINGFLASH
next flash position.This is done manu- Focusing the camera automatically
ally with the cube rotation lever (K). adjusts the opening of the louvers in
With the left thumb push the lever the f lash unit. This assures that,
forward as far as it will go. You must betweena distanceof 3Yzft. and about
rememberto push the lever,or you will 1Oft. a subject which is sharply focused
not get a flash. lt is a good idea to will also receive the right amount of
alwaysdo this just after you press the light f rom the f lashcube to give a
No. 3 button on the camerato reset the correctlyexposedpicture. For example,
shutter(see page23). if a subjectis 8 ft. from the camera,the
When the lever is pushed after the light output from the flash unit must be
fourth flash, it will not return auto- greater than it would need to be for a
maticallyto its normal position,but will subject 3Yz ft. away, if both are to
stay in the forward position.This serves receive the same exposure.Thus, at
as a reminder that the cube must be 8 ft. the louvers must be wider open
changedfor a new one. than at a3L/2tt.setting.
The lever will return to its normal
positionwhen the flashcube is pulled
out,
www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
Top: CORRECTfocus on subject 3Y2tt.
away.The louversopened the correct
amount, to light the subject for a well
exposedpicture.
Bottom: INCORRECTfocus. The sub.
ject distancewas 3yz ft. but the camera
was focused for a greater distance. As
a resultthe louverswere too wide open.
The subjectreceivedtoo much light and
the picturewasoverexposed.
l3View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
THE CONTROLS AND WHATTHEY DO
A. The Film Selector: lt sets the camera for the kind of film
you are using. For 75 speed color film, set it to 75, as shown.
For 3000 speed black and white film, slide it the other way
to set it to 3000. lf you don't set the Film Selector,the electric
eye (B) can't make a correct exposure.
B. The electric eye: The electriceye only works for non-flash
pictures. When you press No. 2 button, the shutter opens.
!nstantly,the electriceye measuresthe brightnessof the light
reflectedfrom the subject and times the closingof the shutter
to give correct exposure.
The electric eye does not measure flash exposures (see
page 10).
t4 www.orphancameras.comView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
C. The camera Lighten/Darken control, for pictures made
without flash: Turning this L/D control adjusts the electric
eye so you can make your picture lighter or darker than it
would be if the L/D control were left at the Normal position
(shownhere).This control has no effect on pictures made with
ffash. For more details about the camera L/D control, see
page 34.
D. The ftash Lighten/Darkencontrol:Turningthis L/D control
adjuststhe amount of light coming from the flash unit so you
can make a flash picture lighteror darker than it would be if
the L/D controlwere left at the Normalposition(shownhere).
For more detailsabout its use, see page 35. This control has
no effect on pictures made without flash.
15View original page 18Page 20 · Read text
HOWTO LOADA FILM PACK
A specialrequest!
As soon as you open the film pack you will begin to accumu-
late 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 waste paper? Usually, it will fit into
an empty foil bag or film bor. Or, if you're planning to-take
lots of outdoor pictures, bring along a paper bag or other
container for waste. Everyonewill appreciate this little ertra
effort on your part.
Open the top of the box. Pull out the film package.Handle it by the edges only. With color film there's a set of mounts;
gently, carefully. Hold the package near the edges. Don't with black and white film there's a coater. Please read the
press hard on the middle of the package. Starting at the instruction sheet. Save the box to carry prints in safely. lt
corner, tear open the entire side of the foil bag along the can also be very useful when coating black and white prints.
dotted line and remove the film pack. Discard the moisture Always open the package and load film in the shade, not
absorbing card supplied with color film. Handle the pack in direct sunlight,to avoid fogging the film.
L7View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
LOADING(Cont.)
1. Pushthebackdoorlatch;thedoorwillpopup. 2. 0penit alltheway.Aretherollers(A)clean? 3. Holdthe film packby the edgesas shown,
lf not,cleanthemasdescribedonpage38. andpushthe closedendof the packunderthe
doorhingeagainstspringtension.
4. Pushthe packdownintothe camera. 5. & 6. Checkto besurethatthewhitetabsarenotcaughtbetweenthefilmpackandthecamerabody.
Closethebackdoor.Pressbothsidesfirmlyto besurethatbothsideslatch.Theblacktab of thesalety
covermuststickoutof thesmallslot.lf not,reopentheback,leadthetabout.
www.orphancameras.com18View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
7. Gripthe blacktab.This is the end of the 8. Pullthe safetycoverall the wayout of the 9. With the safetycoverout, a whitetab (A)
safetycover. camerawithoutstopping.Don'tripit. shouldstickout of the smallslot(No.4). Don't
pullthetab.You'renowreadyfor pictureNo.1.
IF NO WHITE TAB APPEARS
1. lf there'sno whitetab in the No.4 slot,do 2. Openthe backof the camerapartwayand, 3. Closethe backof the camera,makingsure
the followingin the shadeor indoors,not in withoutdisturbingor movingthefilmpack,push thatbothsidesarelockedsecurelyandthewhite
brightsunlight. thewhitetaboutintotheopen. tabisoutside,in theNo.4slot.
19View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
HOWTO SET THE CAMERAFOR FLASHAND DAYLIGHTPICTURES
FOR 75 SPEED COTOR
A For flash. y For daylight.
tllmFilm selector:Selector: setSet tttoit to 75./5. Lighten/Darkencontrols: Set them to the Normal position(shown) unless a label
on the back of the film pack (A) shows a special setting. You can open the back
of a loaded camera to see if there is such a label. lf you do this carefully in the
shadeor indoorsand don't movethe pack,the film willnot be damaged.
Before you can take a picture, the No. 3 button on the
camera front must be down (see pages 23 and25).
20 www.orphancameras.comView original page 23Page 25 · Read text
HOWTO MAKE FLASHPICTURES
tPLACE SUBJEGT: Try to have your 1.IAIM AND FOCUS AGCURATELY: 2. SHOOT:Pressbutton No.2 smoothly
subject near a light colored wall or Frameyour subject in the vtew window. and slowly,without movingthe camera,
other light background. Move your eye to the Focus window. until you hear a loud click and the
Push the No. 1 buttons untilthe bright flash fires.
PLACEYOURSELF:You can shoot from spot in the rangefinder shows a single
any distance between 3L/z and 10 ft. clear image of the most important part
For the most striking pictures,get close of your subject.Then frame your sub'
to your subject and get a large image. ject again in the vtEw window.
You must focus accurately to get aCHECK that the camera controls are
set correctly (see pages 20,2L). correctly exposed flash picture (see page 13). Be sure that a flashcube is inserted
correctlyin the flash unit (see page 11).
www.orphancameras.com 22View original page 25Page 26 · Read text
FLASH PICTUREHINTS
Line up groups: Try to have everyone
about the same distance from the
camera so they'll be lighted evenly.
Have plenty of color: White, black, and
gray don't improve color pictures.
Medium sized rooms with light walls3. RESET:lmmediatelyafter snapping 4. ADVANCE FLASHCUBE:Press the are best: In such a setting a lot ofa picture, press No. 3 button down cube rotation lever forward as far as it light, which would otherwise be lost, isfirmly until it locks and stays down. will go, to prepare you for the next reflected back onto the subiect. TheThis resets the shutter so you'll be flash. See also page L2. further you are from the subject, theready for the next picture. YOU ARE NOW READY TO DEVELOP more important it is to have such
THE PICTURE.SEE PAGE 26. reflectivesurfaces nearby.
Spare the eyes: Let your subjects look
DO NOT SHOOT FLASH PICTURES I N F elsewherethan right at the camera.
FROM FURTHERTHAN 10 FT.
The recommended range for good Flash don'ts: Don't try to make flash
flash pictures(3Yzto1Oft.) is shown by pictures in daylight. Don't shoot flash
the f lash range indicator, (right). lf , picturesin exolosiveatmospheres.
after focusing the camera, the arrow
points at the black bar, as shown, you
are within the flash range. lf the arrow
pointsbeyondthe bar, come closerand GET CLOSETO YOUR SUBJECTAND
refocus before shooting. GET A LARGEIMAGE.
23View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
MAKE DAYLIGHTPICTURES
STAND so the light on the subject is l. AIM AND FOCUS:Frameyour sub- 2. SHOOT:Pressbutton No.2 smoothly
coming from behind you or from the ject in the vrEWwindow.Move your eye and slowly,without movingthe camera,
side,but not f rom in f ront of the camera. to the Focus window. Push the No. 1 until you hear a loud click.When shoot-
buttons until the bright spot in the ing in the shade or in dim light, hold
CHECKthat the Film Selectorand L/D rangefindershowsa singleclear image No. 2 down and don't move until you
control are set for the kind of film you of the most important part of your hear a second click as the shutter
are using(seepage20). subject.Then frame your subjectagain closes.Then let No. 2 button come up.
in the vtewwindow.
BE SURE that the flash unit is not
plugged into the camera. lf it is, the
electriceye will not f unction.
24 www.orphancameras.comView original page 27Page 28 · Read text
DAYLIGHTPICTUREHINTS
The best light for pictures of people:
On a very bright, hazy day the light is
even and the shadowsare soft.
Move in close: The biggeryour subject
is in the print, the more colorand detail
you'llbe ableto see.
Have plenty of color: Look for subjects Lighting to avoid: Bright light behind
and backgrounds with big areas of a shaded subject will "fool" the electric
3. RESET:lmmediatelyafter snapping strong, bright colors. eye.Your subjectwill be too dark.
a picture, press No. 3 button down
firmly until it locks and stays down. Watch the background: The light on it
This resets the shutter so you'll be should be just about as bright as the
readyfor the next picture. lighton the subject. Keep an eye on the temperature: Cold 1Ir
or very hot weather can affect the quality of your pictures. Be sure to 1
YOU ARE NOW READY TO DEVELOP read page 29, which explains how
THE PICTURE.SEE PAGE 26. te mperature affectsyour pictures.
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PDF verified 2026-10-10.