Polaroid Sonar User manual

English
Polaroid introduces sonar focusing - the ultimate in one-step
photograPhY.
The instant you see your picture, just aim and shoot. with sonar
foCusing, th6 camera setd the len-s instantly, automatically.
How sonar focusing works
As vou beqin to press the shutter button, your camera releases
 sorind waies to the central part of the scene'
 in" tt"quencies are far beybnd our range of hearing and travel at the
 speed of sound.                             for the sound to reach your.subject and the i[" rpiit seConO it takes      io ,"iurn is fed into a tiny electronic computer inside the
 "Cnocamera.
 The computer uses this time measurement to calculate the distance
 between'the camera lens and your subject, then signals a motor to
 turn the lens until your subject is in sharp focus'
 inii e*iraordinary'chain  of events takes place in less than 1/3 of a
 second.


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English

 Features
 o Automatic and precise focusing in any light, even total darkness.
 r Built-in "use flash or tripod" indicator.
 r Pictures from g0 cm/3 feet to infinity (flash to 4 ml12 feet).
 r Can shoot as fast as every 1.5 seconds.
 o 3-element,114 mm lens.
 o Variable aperture from f/9.5 Io il24.
 r variable shutter speed from 1/1go of a second to 1 second.
 r Flash in daylight to eliminate shadows.
 o Automatic time exposures to 1 second.
 Camera Parts
A Lens                       P  "Use flash or tripod" indicator
_ (3-element, 114 mm, f/9.S)    o Neckstrap
B Transducer (sends the sound   R  Tripod socket
  waves and receives the echo)  S Thumb grip
C Shutter button               T  Picture counter (goes to 10
D Cable release socket            when-you load a new or parily
E Film door latch                   used film pack into the c'ameia,
F Film door                        counts down to show how
G Film shade (shields the film       many pictures are left)
  from light; if it does not roll back
   after the film is ejected, genily
     lift its front end)
H Picture exit slot
I  Electric eye
J Sensor (for the "use flash or
   tripod" indicator)
K Lighten/Darken control
L Focus switch
M Socket for a future accessorywww.butkus.us
N FlashBar socket
0 Viewfinder

English

Film and flash                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              I
                                                                    *,Your camera uses Polaroid SX-70 Land film, and FlashBars' Each film
pack provides ten color pictures and contains a battery that powers
the cimera. Each FlashBar has ten bulbs.
Vou witt never waste a flash or film with this camera.  lt will not let a
OJf O iire when a film pack is empty and will not take a picture when                                                                      Iifl ine bulbs on the side of the Fla-shBar facing the subject have been
fired. Your camera also finds the next good bulb in a partly used
FlashBar.
To load the film
Push the latch (1, A) forward. The film door will drop open'
Hold the film pack by its edges only'
purn tne film 'pack iito tne camera until the narrow strip (1' B) snaps
open.
Close the film door. The camera will immediately eject the film cover'
To remove an empty pack, pull the yellow tab.
To hold the camera
 Grip  it firmly in the palm of your left.hand.
 Fiabe Vour'rignt tnLimb on the thumb grip, index f.,Lg"t on the shutter
 button, and Curl the other fingers into your palm (2)'
 Never put your fingers in front of the picture exit slot'
 Look through the viewfinder eyepiece. Be sure you can see all four
 corners of the image area inside.
 To take the Picture
 Squeeze the shutter button. The camera automatically sets the lens'
 H<itO tne camera steady untilthe film is ejected (3).
 neroue and handle th6 developing picture by its wide white border'

English

Use flash for most indoor pictures
 Insert a FlashBar into the FlashBar socket (4). Always do this with the
camera pointing away from you.
You can take flash pictures of subjects (90 cm-4m 13 -12 feet) from
the camera (no more, no less).       {
You will get particularly good flash pictures of people when they are
 1.2-2m (4-6 feet) away and near a colorful background.
 Flash pictures shou/d not be taken where the atmosphere contains
gases or dust that may be ignited by a spark.
The "use flash or tripod" indicator
When you are not using flash, a red light may appear under the view-
 finder (5) as you begin to press the shutter button.
 It warns that the lighting on the scene is not bright enough for picture
taking without a tripod or other firm support.
Release the shutter button. Use flash or place the camera on a tripod
 for a time exposure.
                                    5You can use flash in daylight   r ,{ku$'t                    cn''
This feature, called "fill-flash", can correct lighting situations that
might othenvise produce disappointing results.
Although you can use "fill-flash" when your subjects are 90 cm-4 m
(3-12 feet) from the camera (no more, no less), you will get particular-
ly good results when they are 1.2-2m (4-6 feet) away.
Here is how "fill-flash" can help in daylight:
In strong sunlight, flash can fill in harsh facial shadows with even,
flattering  light.
In bright sunlight, your subject may be forced to squint. Take your
subject out of the direct sunlight and use flash.
When the sun is behind your subjectwww.butkus.us(but not shining directly into the
lens) your subject usually will be too dark in the picture. "Fill-flash"
can provide the added light your subject needs.

English

lndoor flash hints                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        i
Watch the background                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      II
                                                                                                                                              f,
To assure that  it will be well lit by the flash, the background should be
colorful and near your subject.
When the background is dark, or beyond the flash range,  it will be too
dark in the picture.
To avoid a flash reflection
When shooting toward a reflective object or background (mirror,
window, eyeglasses, etc.), stand to one side of your subject and
shoot from an angle to avoid a flash reflection in the picture.
However, when the reflective surface is smooth and flat and is the
central part of your main subject (glass-enclosed art, wall hanging,
etc.), shooting at an angle may cause the sound waves to reflect
away from the camera.  lf this happens, the lens will be set incorrectly
and your picture may be unsharp.
To avoid this, you can set the lens manually (see To set the lens
manually).
Arrange groups caref ully
Allthe people in a group should be about the same distance from the
camera. Then everyone will be lit evenly by the flash.
Picture hints
o Outdoors, in bright sunlight, stand so the sun is behind you or to
  the side.
o Move in close. You will get particulary good results when your
  subject is about 1.2-1 .5 m (4-5 feet) from the camera.
o Bright sunlit days are especially suitable for action pictures. Your
  camera's shutter will work at top speed, stopping all but extremely
   fast action. For best results, have your subjects move toward you,
   rather than across the picture.
o Watch the background. lt should complement your subjects, not
   distract from them. Keep it simple.

English

Time exposures
Your camera can make automatic time exposures up to one second.
Keep the camera steady by placing it on a firm support - a tripod is
best - and use the Polaroid Cable Release.
To take the picture, hold the cable release button down untilthe film
is ejected.
For best results indoors, stand so bright lights are behind you or to
the side.
Iips on outdoor lighting
Outdoors, your camera's electric eye controls the lens opening and
shutter speed to let just the right amount of light reach the film.
Ihe electric eye works best when the scene is evenly lit. lt can be
"fooled" by uneven lighting as described below.
Sright backgrounds: When a bright background is a large part of the
scene and reflects more light than your subject, the electric eye sets
the camera for the background, causing your subject to appear too
dark in the picture.
n this situation. either
l move closer to your subject to reduce the effect of the back-
  ground; or
r turn the Lighten/Darken control toward Lighten (6, A) to lighten
  your subject.
Dark backgrounds: When a dark background is a large part of the
scene and reflects less light than your subject, the electric eye will
again set the camera for the background. Now, your subject may
appear too light.
This time, either move closer to your subject or set the Lighten/-
Darken control toward Darken (6, B) to darken your subject.
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English                                                   10

To set the lens manuallY
A few special situations callfor setting the lens manually:
o when shooting straight-on through glass,  it will block the sound
  waves from reaching your subject. The lens will focus on the glass
  and your picture may Oe unsharp. Screens or bars could cause the
  same result.
o when shooting at an angle toward a flat, smooth surface (glass-
  enclosed art, wall hanging, etc.), the sound waves may reflect
  away from the camera-.  lf this happens, your picture may be
  unsharp.
Io set the /ens manually: Set the focus switch (7,A) to the manual
position.
Then estimate the camera-to-subject distance and turn the manual
focus wheel (7, B) until that distance is opposite the white pointer
 (7, C) The yeilow broken line shows your camera's flash range:
90 cm-4 m (3-12 feet).
when you have finished using the manualfocus system, remember
to flip lhe focus switch back to the automatic position.
Picture problems and their sotutions
 Repeated spotsi lf a repeated spot or bar pattern appears on the
 piiture, the rollers inside the camera need cleaning.
 it is best to check the rollers each time you load film.
To clean the rollers: In dim light, open the film door and rotate the
 rollers (8,A).Remove any specks of dirt with a clean, lint-free cloth,
 moisteied with water  if needed. Check the raised ends (8, B) on the
 top roller; dirt can collect there too.
 Part of the picture is fogged: white areas on the picture mean light
 reached  tl're film before the picture was taken. This can happen when
 you remove and reinsert a fiim pack in the light. The top.picture will
 ilways be fogged; others may be fogge_d in one corner. lt is best to
 remove and reinsert a film pack in dim light.

English                                                               11

     ?.?rt 9t the picture ls missing: This happens when you damage the
    film.by squeezing the pack above and below the yellow tablAs you-
    load the camera, remember to hold the film pack-by  its edges.
   Causes of tuzzy pictures
   o Movin.g the camera duliqg picture taking. Hold the camera steady
      untilthe film is ejected from the camera.
   o Tlkn-g a.picture in dim /lght. When the red light appears in the
      viewfinder, remember to use flash or a tripod.
   o shooting through g/ass. The glass will block the sound waves from
     reaching your subject and the lens will focus on the glass. set the
      lens manually.
   o Forg.etting to reset the focus switch to the automatic position after
      settlng the /ens manually.
  o The sound waves striking a foreground object and not reaching your
     sublect. As you press the shutter button, the sound waves trav6t to
     the central part of the scene. Be sure they have a clear path to
     your subject.
   r Shootlng at an angle toward a smooth, flat surface. The sound
    waves will reflect .away from the camera. Set the lens manually.  o Your subiect was c/oser to the camera than g0 cm (3 feet).
  o You.r subject moved during picture taking. you will get th6 best
     action pictures when your subject is moving toward you, rather
     than across the picture.
  Camera problems and their solutions
      lf the camera does not eject the fitm cover:
   1. Press the shutter button.  lf the cover is not ejected, in dim light
     remove the film pack, then reinsert it.
          i 2.  lf the cover still is not ejected, remove the pack (its battery may
     be dead) and insert a new one.
     tf the fitmis not ejected when you press the shutter buttotn:
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      I  I  9|'""1. the picture counter; the film pack may be empty.      l 2. Check the FlashBar.
I)

English                                                       12

3. In dim light, pullthe film pack out. Reinsert the pack. The film
   should cbme out when you close the door. lf the top piece of film
    is pushed forward when you reinsert the pack, pull that piece out.
   Then, close the door.
4. lf the above fail to get your camera working, insert a new film pack.
  The battery in the first pack may be dead.
lf the film cover or filmis elected only part way:
1. Release the film shade so  it snaps back.
2.  In dim light, open the film door and pull the cover or film out.
3.   lf the cahera'still does not work properly, remove the film pack
    (its battery may be weak) and insert a new one.
lf these remedies  fail to get the camera operating, call Customer
Service at the nearest Polaroid Office.
Gare of your system

The camera
Treat your camera with care. Rough handling may damage delicate
parts. The lens and viewfinder will seldom need cleanilo.  lf_ they.do,
blow off any dust, then wipe them gently with a clean, lint-free cloth.
From time to time clean the rollers inside the film door with a similar
cloth. moistened with water  if necessary.
The film
Polaroid SX-70 Land film, like allfilm, should be kept cool. lf possible,
store below 24"C (75"F). For longer storage, keep below 18oC
(65'F). In its sealed box, the film can be refrigelated (not frozen).
Let it'reach room temperature before using  it. This will take at least
an hour.
To preserve  its freshness, keep the film sealedin its protective box
 until ready for use. Then, take the same care of a loaded camera as
you do of your film. Keep the camera in a cool place (but not a
 refrigerator).

English                                                       13

The pictures
When your SX-70 picture comes out of the camera, handle it by its
wide white border. Do not bend, crush, or fold the picture. Do not cut
the picture's borders, this can ruin the picture.
The brilliant pictures made with your SX-70 system are among the
most stable and resistant to fading ever known in photography.
Fingerprints on your pictures can be easily removed. Simply "mist"
the surface with your breath, then lightly polish with a tissue or a soft
clean cloth.
Electronic flash
Your camera was designed to use FlashBars and with a FlashBar  it
will produce well exposed pictures over the full flash range from
about 90 cm-4 m (3-12 feet).
Because of the special electronic circuitry in your camera, an
electronic flash unit must have matching electronic characteristics
in order to give good picture results with this camera.
See your Polaroid Customer Service office for information on
electronic flash units designed to work with your camera.
Electronic flash units other than those recommended by Customer
Service may not give consistently good results and may cause your
camera to malfunction.
There is a general rule that applies to any electronic flash unit.  lf you
get poor picture results with  it, try a FlashBar.  lf you get good
pictures with a FlashBar, but not with electronic flash, the cause of
the problem is the electronic flash, not the camera or the film.
To obtain information and help            a)                        $o\Ytn,
lf you are unable to get good pictures, review this instruction book.
Incorrect operation of the camera may be the cause.  lf you need
further help, and before you return your camera for repair, please see
your dealer or contact the nearest Polaroid Office.  lf you write about
a problem, please state the camera model, explain the problem and,
 if possible, enclose sample pictures.www.butkus.usInclude your return address.

English

Accessories
o Polaroid Cable Release 2327
o Polaroid 138 Carrying Case
o Polaroid SX-70 Photo Album 129
For information, see your dealer or contact the nearest Polaroid
Office.
Copies and enlargements
Beautiful copies and enlargements can be made from your favorite
SX-70 pictures. For copy service information, contact your dealer or
the nearest Polaroid Office.





F:,
  Warranty
    lf this camera proves defective within three yeans of the original
  purchase date, we will repair or, at our option, replace it free of
  charge. We will make no charges for labor, service or parts. We
   will also supply one pack of film, to replace pictures spoiled
  before the defect was identified. This warranty does not cover
  damage caused by accident, misuse or tampering with the
  camera. Repairs to correct such damage willbe made at a
  reasonable charge.
  To take advantage of this warranty, the camera must be
  returned to, and repaired by, one of the Polaroid Service
   Centers.
  The above warranty and provisions do not affect your statutory
  rights.
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