Film cameras
Polaroid Countdown 90 User manual
User manual for Polaroid Countdown 90. 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 90
- 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)
G.E.Hi-Powerflashcubes,or equivalent.
YOURFIRSTPICTURE!
To be surethat it's a success,we suggestthat you makeit indoors
withflash,exactlyas describedon page22.
BUT,BEFOREYOU START
pleasereadthisbookcarefullysoyouwillknowhowto usethecamera
andwhereto lookfor anyinformation.lf youdo notfollowthe instruc-
tions,youwill notgetgoodpictures.
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 3Page 4 · Read text
CONTENTS ,[']
t," : \ 1
GettingAcquainted How to develop the picture. 26
Know your camera.. 2 Checkthe temperature. 29
How to make a picture:a quick look... 4 lf no yellowtab appearswhen you pull the white tab.... 30
How to open and closethe camera. 6 Care of the print. 3 1
How to hold the camera. How to use the Cold-Clipwith colorf ilm... . 32
How to use the viewfinder. . . ... . 8 H o w t o m a k e p r i n t sl i g h t e ro r d a r k e r( N o n - f l a s h ) .. .. . . . . 34
How to focus with the rangefinder, 9 How to make prints lighter or darker (Flash) 35
Kn o wy ou r f l a sh u n it a n d f la shcubes.,.... 10 How to make blackand white picturesin dim light
How to attach and removethe f lash unit.... 1 1 withoutflash... 36
How to inserta f lashcube.. 1 1
The cube rotation lever.. . T2 MiscellaneousW h y y ou mu st f o cu sa ccu ratelywhen usingf|ash........ L2
The controls. . . and what they do. .... I4 You must take care of your camera.. 38
What you shouldknow about your film. . . i 6 Batteryloadingand replacement.... 39
Copiesand enlargements 40
Operation Somelf yourhelpfflashulpicturesaccessories.are too dark... 424 L
How to load a film pack. I 7 Picturetroubles,their causeand cure. 43
How to set the camera for flash and daylight pictures. . . 20 Where to write for information. 46
How to make flash pictures 22 Warra nty. . . 46
How to make daylightpictures.. 24 Polaroidrepair stations and offices. 47
Donated to www.orphancameras.com IView original page 4Page 6 · Read text
IIIIPORTANT:Keep rollers clean (page 38);
change batteries yearly (page 39).
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 6Page 7 · Read text
HOWTO MAKEA PICTURE:A QU|CKLOOK
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.
{
INSERTFLASHCUBE ,1 AIM AND FOCUS
p. 11 Zp.8 1
Before starting you set two simple con-
trols: (A) the Film Selectorand (B) the
Lighten/Darkencontrol(p. 14 and 15).
To make flash pictures, attach the PULLWHITETAB PULL YELLOWTABflash unit (see p. 11). When making p.27 p.25 7non-flashpictures, leave off the flash 6
unitand omit stepsI and 5.
4 Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
FLASH.UBE
5 fllNcE 4r;5'
BLA.K& wHrrE
9;:'3RATE 10 ;:ftt
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 8Page 9 · Read text
HOWTO OPENAND CLOSETHE CAMERA
1. Magnetholdscoverdown.Lift backedge. 2. To removeit, pushspring(A) andlift hinge 3. Liftfinderupandback;magnetwillgripit.
(B). To replace,slidehingedownoverspring.
4. RaisebuttonNo.1;thisunlockscamerafront. 5. Pullcamerafrontoutasfar as it will go. Be 6. To closecamera,pressdownon lockingbar
surelockingbar (A) snapsinto place.lf not, and pushcamerafront in until it locks. Fold
youmaygetblurredor all-blackpictures. finderdowngently.
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView 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 against your foreheadand face.
into your ribs; rest the camera againstyour nose.
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 10Page 11 · Read text
HOWTO USETHE VIEWFINDER Looking through the viewfinder window (A) you'll see a subject is very close (372 ft., for example), allow a little extra bright, white broken line. Frame the scene with this line. space between your subject and the top frame line, as shown Always try to look through the center of the window and above. lf not, you may accidentally cut off the top of some- concentrateon your subject, not on the white line. lf your o n e ' s h e a d i n y o u r p i c t u r e . 8 Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 11
Page 12 · Read text
HOWTO FOCUSWITH THE RANGEFINDER
Lookthroughhere(B) at the brightspot.a v PushNo.I buttons.
--->
Holding the camera horizontal, place your forefingers on bright spot; this means that the camera is not focused for
both No. I buttons as shown and push them all the way to that distance. Push the No. 1 buttons back and forth until
your left. Look through the Focus window (B) and aim the the two images become one - sharp and clear. Now the
bright spot in the center at a nearby subject (about 4 tt. away, camera is focused. For vertical pictures, you can focus with
for example).You should see two imagesof your target in the the camera horizontal,turn it to aim and shoot.
To get correct flash erposures, you must focus accurately (see page l3).
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
KNOWYOURFLASHUNIT AND FLASHCUBES The PolaroidFocusedFlash unit is de- of the flash unit is a Lighten/Darken signedfor use only with G.E. Hi-Power control (C) for adjustmentof 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 3yztt. to about 10 ft. f rom the camera. You must focus accurately, to get a correct exposure( see page 12 ). Each flashcubegivesfour f lashes.After each flash you must push forward the lever (B) in order to rotatethe cube in readi- ness for the next picture. After the fourth flash the lever will not return to its normal position,indicatingthat 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 Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 13
Page 14 · Read text
HOWTO ATTACHAND REMOVETHE FLASHUNIT
Hold the flash unit as shown. Slide the rails (E) on the bottom into the outlet (G). To remove the unit, pull out the plug and
of the unit onto the camera connector(F). Slide the unit on all slide the unit off the camera connector.
the way, till it comes to a lirm stop. Push the {lash cord plug
HOWTO INSERTA FLASHCUBE
Holdthe cube as 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.
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 14Page 15 · Read text
THE CUBE ROTATIONLEVER WHY YOU MUST FOCUS
ACCURATELYWHEN four isAfter each of the flashes fired,
flashcube must be the USINGFLASHthe rotated to
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 flash unit. This assures that,
forward as far as it will go. You must betweena distanceof 3Yzft. and about
remember to push the lever, or you will 10 ft. a subjectwhich is sharplyfocused
not get a flash. lt is a good idea to will also receive the right amount of
always do this just after you press the light f rom the f lashcube to give a
No. 3 button on the camera to reset the correctlyexposedpicture.For example,
shutter (see page 23). 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 3Y2 tt. away, if both are to
stay in the forward position.This serves receive the same exposure.Thus, at
as a reminderthat the cube must be 8 ft. the louvers must be wider open
changedfor a new one. than at a3Vzft. setting.
The leverwill returnto its normal posi-
tion whenthe flashcubeis pulledout.
t2 Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
Top: CORRECTfocus on subject 3Vztt.
away. The louversopened the correct
amount, to light the subject for a well
exposedpicture.
Bottom: INCORRECTfocus. The sub-
ject distancewas 3y2 tt. but the ca mera
was focused for a greater distance. As
a resultthe louverswere too wide open.
The subjectreceivedtoo much light and
the picturewasoverexposed.
Donated to www.orphancameras.com 13View 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 electric eye only works for non-flash
pictures. When you press No. 2 button, the shutter opens.
lnstantly,the electriceye measuresthe brightnessof the light
reflectedfrom the subjectand times the closingof the shutter
to givecorrect exposure.
The electric eye does not measure flash exposures (see
page 1O).
Donated to 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 controt has no effect on pictures made with
flash. For more details about the camera LID control, see
page 34.
D. The flash Lighten/Darken control: Turning this L/D control
a d j u s t s t h e a m o u n t o f l i g h t c o m i n g f r o m t h e f l a s h u n i t s o y o u
c a n m a k e a f l a s h p i c t u r e l i g h t e r o r d a r k e r t h a n i t w o u l d b e i f
the L/D control were left at the Normal position (shown here).
For more details about its use, see page 35. This control has
no effect on pictures made without f lash.
Donated to www.orphancameras.com l5View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
WHATYOU SHOULDKNOWABOUTYOURFILM
This camera usestwo types of Polaroid rollers squashes the pod, spreading
Land pack films: 3000 speed black the chemicals between the n egative
and white, Type 107, and 75 speed and print paper to form a picture
color, Type 108. There may be addi- "sandwich".
tionaltypes of film in the f uture. The picture develops outside the
You must know the film speed num- camera. After the recommendedde-
ber, 3000 or 75, to set the camera velopmenttime you separatethe sand-
controlscorrectly. wich and there is your finishedpicture.
A film pack containsall the materials
to make eight pictures. For each pic- PROTECTIONOF FILM AND CAMERA
ture there is a pieceof negativefilm, a Extreme heat and high humiditycan
sheetof print paper,and a thin foil con- damage your film (and also your cam-
tainer (the pod) filled with the jelly-like era), especiallyafter the film pack has
chemicalsneeded to develop the pic- been placedin the camera. Don't leave
ture. film, or a loadedcamera, in direct sun
After snappingthe picture,you start or in a car during hot weather.The best
development by pulling a piece of storage place in a closet is near the An importantlabel: On some color film
paper out of the camera. This drags bottom, where the air is cooler. Don't packs you may see a label (A) advising
the exposednegative,a sheet of print unwrapfilm untilyouare readyto use it. you to turn the Lighten/Darkencontrolpaper,and a pod of chemicalsbetween to a special setting for all pictures
two steel rollers. The pressure of the made with that pack. Pleasedo so, or
your picturesmay be too dark.
CAUTION: Please be sure to read the
important notice on page 48.
16 Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 19Page 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 box. 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 extra
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. Discardthe 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 foggingthe film.
Donated to www.orphancameras.com t7View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
LOADING(Cont.)
1. Pushthebackdoorlatch;thedoorwillpopup. 2. Openit all theway.Arethe rollers(A) clean? 3. Holdthe film packby the edgesas shown,
lf not,cleanthemasdescribedonpage38. andpushthe closedendof the packunderthe
doorhingeagainstspringtension.
4. Pushthe packdownintothe camera. 5. & 6. Checkto besurethatthewhitetabsarenotcaughtbetweenthefilm packandthecamerabody.
Closethebackdoor.Pressbothsidesfirmlyto besurethatbothsideslatch.Theblacktab of the safety
covermuststickoutof thesmallslot.lf not,reopentheback,leadthetabout.
18 Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 21Page 22 · Read text
7. Gripthe blacktab.Thisis the endof the 8. Pullthe safetycoverall the wayout of the 9. Withthe safetycoverout, a whitetab (A)
safetycover. camerawithoutstopping.Don'tripit. shouldstickoutof thesmallslot(No.4). Don't
I F N O W H I T ET A B APPEARS pullthetab.You'renowreadyfor pictureNo.l.
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 ln wtthoutdisturbingor movingthefilmpack,push thatbothsidesarelockedsecurelyandthewhite
brightsunlight. thewhitetaboutintotheooen. tabisoutside,intheNo.4 slot.
Donated to www.orphancameras.comView original page 22Page 23 · Read text
HOWTO SET THE CAMERAFOR FLASHAND DAYLIGHTPICTURES
FOR 75 SPEEDCOLOR
For flash.
FilmFilm Selector:Selector: SetSet itit toto 75.75. 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
shade or indoorsand don't move the pack,the film will not be damaged.
Before you can take a picture, the No. 3 button on the
camera front must be down (see pages 23 and25).
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Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.