Film cameras
Polaroid Spectra SE User manual
User manual for Polaroid Spectra SE. 30 pages. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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- Brand
- Polaroid
- Model / document
- Polaroid Spectra SE
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- Check the original document
- Pages
- 30
- File size
- 2.7 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
This book containsoperating
instructionsfor the Polaroid
SpectraAF SE camera.The text
refersto pictureson thesefold-
out pages.
Get in closeto subject(p. 20) Add foregroundinterest(p. 20)
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Flashon: facial details(p. 8)
Distant background:too dark (p. 10) Close background:good picture 1p. 10)
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IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS As with any battery operated equipment, observe these basic safety precautions: 1 FOLLOWALL OF THESEINSTRUCTIONS. 2 CLOSELYSUPERVISECAMERAWHEN IT IS BEINGUSEDBY OR NEARCHILDREN. 3 DO NOT USE CAMERAIF IT HAS BEEN DROPPEDOR DAMAGED- UNTILIT HAS BEENEXAMINEDAT AN AUTHORIZED POLAROIDSERVICECENTER. 4 TO AVOID ELECTRICALSHOCKHAZARDS, DO NOT DISASSEMBLECAMERA.SERVICE OR REPAIRWORK MUST BE DONEONLY BY AN AUTHORIZEDPOLAROIDSERVICE CENTER.INCORRECTREASSEMBLYCAN CAUSEELECTRICALSHOCKWHEN CAMERA IS USEDAGAIN.DO NOT IMMERSEIN WATEROR OTHERFLUIDS. PLEASEKEEPTHESE INSTRUCTIONS www.orphancameras.comView original page 9
Page 13 · Read text
Open the camera Place both hands under the camera as shown. Slide
(pictures3, 4) the releaselatch back. The camera will open1
automatically.
To close the camera (picture 4): When you have fin-
ished using the camera, close it to protect the lens.
Hold the camera as shown. Slide the releaselatch
back. Push both sides of the cover down until it locks.
Check the When you want the camera to be fully automatic, be
control panel sure all the switches are in a row as shown in picture 2.
Note: When the switches are not in the automatic
mode, there is a red mark (or green symbol for the
self-timer)visible on the panel.
Load the film Use only Polaroid Spectra color film. Other
(pictures 5 & 6) Polaroid films cannot be used with this camera.
Push the film door releasedown. The film door will
open. Hold the film pack by its edges only and slide it
all the way into the camera.
Position your You can take the most pleasing pictures of people,
subject both indoors and outdoors, when they are 3 to 5 ,l
feet (.9m to 1.5m) away.
Indoors: Your subject should be within the 2 to 15 foot
(.6m to 4.6m) flash range. For best results,your sub-
ject should also be near a light-coloredbackground.
Outdoors: Your subject should be at least 2 feet (.6m)
away from the camera.
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Take the picture Slide your left hand through the hand strap and
(pictures7,8) hold the camera as you would a pair of binoculars.
For horizontal pictures,hold the camera as shown in
picture 7. For vertical pictures,position the camera
with the flash on top as shown in picture 8 to get the
best results.
To remove an empty After you take the tenth picture, the picture counter
film pack (pictures 5 & 9) sets to zero and three chimes sound to remind you to
remove the empty film pack.
Push the film door releasedown to open the film door.
Pull the blue tab to remove the film pack.
When the camera contains an empty film pack:
You will hear three chimes when you open the
camera
You will hear three chimes and then see a flashing
zero in the viewfinder when you press and hold the
shutter button halfway
ki
^&View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
The autofocus system As you press the shutter button, your camera sends
sound waves - within 10 thousandths of a second - to
the central part of the scene (approximate area circled
in white, see illustration).
The sound waves are used to measure the distance to
the person or object (in the central part of the scene)
that is closest to the camera.
A built-in computer then uses this measurement to
provide the correct lens setting, so be sure that:
The sound waves must have a clear path to your sub-
ject. lf an object (candlestick,centerpiece,etc.) pre-
vents the sound waves from reaching your subject, the
lens will focus on that object, and your subject will not
be clear and in focus.
When photographing more than one person, place
everyone the same distance from the camera.
When taking a picture through glass, turn off the auto-
focus system.
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The viewfinder When you have a film pack in the camera and press
displays the shutter button halfway, a display appears in the
viewfinder to help you take the best possible picture.
When you see a number in the viewfinder, it tells you
the distanceto your subject (in feet or meters).This
number will help you follow the distance recommen-
dations throughout this book.
When you see a green "good picture" symbol, the
conditions are right for taking a good picture. Pressthe
The good picture symbol shutter button the rest of the way.
When you see a flashing yellow "caution" symbol and
hear a warning tone, you should correct a problem
before taking the picture.The distance reading will
help you identify the problem. When you see:
The number 1: Your subject is too close. Releasethe
shutter button and stand at least 2feet (.6m) from sub-
ject.
A number from 16 to 20: Your subject is beyond the
flash range. Releasethe shutter button and move clos-
er to your subject to keep within the 2 to 15 foot (.6m"t to 4.6m) flash range.
t A number from 2to 15: The flash is off.
Slide the flash switch up to turn the flash
back on. @
Note: Distance readings do not appear when your sub-
ject is beyond 20 feet (6.2m).View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
The programmed flash Every time you take a picture, indoors or out-
( p ic t u re s10 , 1 1 ) doors, your camera blends light from the scene
with just enough flash to providethe right lighting
for the best possible picture.
In the sample outdoor scene, photographedwithout
flash (picture10),bright sunlight has createdharsh
faciaI shadows.
You r camera blends sunlight with just the right
amount of flash to soften shadows and revealfacial
details(picture1 1).
The recharge The PolaroidSpectrafeaturesa rapid rechargeflash
indicator with rechargetimes usually less than a second. The
green light on the control panel will come on and the
flash will automaticallybegin to charge every time you:
Load film into the camera
Take a picture
Pressthe shutter button halfway
Open the camera
Ready& when the green light comes on, the flash is ready to
fire. The light will stay on fo r 20 to 30 seconds.
lf you want to take a picture after the green light has
gone off, lightly press and releasethe shutter button to
turn the green light back on.
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Flash range Indoors: Your subject should be 2to 15 feet (.6m
to 4.6m) from the camera.
Outdoors: Your subject should be at least 2 feet
(.6m) away.
The exposure control Use the picture control when you want to retake a
picture to make it lighter or darker.
When retakinga pictureto make it lighter: , / \ Slide the control all the way uP (a).
V WhenSlide theretakingcontrola pictureall the wayto makedownit darker:(b).
a l i g htenffi Any partial adjustmentswill not affect your exposure.
/ \ The control must be adjusted all the way in either
direction.
picture,do not for- V After you have finished taking the
b d a rken get to return the control to the normal position (c).ffi
Special situations
Picturestaken of people in highly reflectivebeach or
snow scenes often turn out too dark. You may want to
set the control all the way up to the lighten setting (a)
c center before ta king th is type of picture.ffi:
*fsView original page 18Page 19 · Read text
Backgrounds too dark? lf the backgroundof a flash picture is too dark but
(pictures 12, 131 your subjectis well illuminated(picture12),the
background is too far away.
Moving the control to the lighten setting will not
correct this problem, so be sure the exposure control
is in the normal position.B: Retakethe picture,placing your subject near a back-
ground and keeping both within th e 2 to ls foot (.6m
to 4.6m) flash range (picture 13).
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The self-timer The self-timerlets you get into your picture.
To use this feature,place the camera on a tripod or
other steady support. lf you attach the camera to a
table tripod, be sure the camera is positionedover one
of the tripod's legs for proper support.
Frame your picture in the viewfinder and press the
shutter button halfway to be sure you get the greeno
"good picture" sym bol. Then releasethe sh utter
button.@ Slide the self-timerswitch all the way down (a).You
now have 12 secondsto get into your picture.
During the first 10 seconds,the camera will beep and
you will see a flashing red light (b) on the front of the
camera.ffib Two seconds before the camera takes the picture, the
red light will stay on and the beeps will become a
steady signal to remind you to hold still and smile.
After the camera has taken the picture,it will not eject
you slide the self-timerswitch up (c). Doo the film until
not close the camera before you slide the switch up.
lf you want to stop the 12-secondcountdown, slide the
switch up (c) to turn off the timer.@ Note: When the self-timerswitch is on there is a green
circlevisible in the control panel.
."ttView original page 20Page 21 · Read text
Photographing To avoid focusing on the glass and getting a flash
through glass reflection,turn off the autofocus and flash systems by
sliding both switches down, as shown (a, b).
When you turn off the autofocussystem, the lens sets
AF , for distant scenes (15 feet to infinity),requiringthe pic- ^-. ture to be taken in a specialway:
--W g- Be sure the scene is at least 15 feet (4.6m)from the @ camera and in daylight.
b
Frame the picture in the viewfinder and press the shut-
ter button halfway (you will not see a distancereading
becausethe autofocus system is off).
When you see the green "good picture" symbol, take
the picture.
lf you see the flashingyellow "caution" symbol and
hear a warning tone, there is not enough light to take a
good picture.
AF
^G. G lmportant
A- When you have finishedtaking the picture,turn on the
autofocusand flash systems by sliding both switches tffi d up (c, dl.
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Lens care It is important to avoid touching the lens. To remove
dust or fingerprints,breatheon the lens and wipe it
gently with a clean, soft facial tissue. Do not use sili-
cone-treated eyeglass tissues.
Picture care The developmentprocesstakes place insidethe f ilm;
therefore,developing Spectra picturescan be stacked.
During the first 60 seconds of development,handle
the picturegently. Fanningor bending the picturewill
disturb the development process.Wind can also affect
development as the picture exits the camera.You can
delay ejectingthe picture by holding the shutter button
down until you can protect the picture from the wind.
Hold the developing picture by its wide white border.
Note: Keep the developing picture away from
hot surfaceslike the hood of a car.
Film care For best results, use Spectrafilm between 55'F (13'C)
and 95"F (35'C).See film box for more details.
*od'View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
For information lf you are unable to get good pictures, review this
and help instruction book. Picture problems are often due to
incorrect use of the camera. 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, please explain the nature of the problem
and, if possible,enclose sample pictures.Include your
return address.
u.s.A.
Polaroid ResourceCenter
784 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, Massachusetts02 139-4688
Representativesava i lable weekdays
from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Easterntime:
Tel: 1-8OO-343-5OOO TDD: 1-800-448-6708
Canada
Polaroid Canada,lnc.
350 Carlingview Drive
Rexdale,Ontario MgW sco
Tel: (416) 675-368O (Torontol
Toll free: 800-268-6970
M6xico
Polaroid de M6xico
Paseode la Reforma No. 195
Col. Cuaht6moc
06500 M6xico, D.F.
Tel: (O5l 70,3-1111
www.orphancameras.comView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
Full lifetime warranty lf this camera proves to be defective,we will, at your
U. S. A. offer only option either replace or repair it without charge for as
long as you own the camera (originalowners only). See
Your warranty options. To obtain warranty service, please
call Polaroidat the toll-freenumber listed or write to the
PolaroidResourceCenter,784Memorial Drive,
Cambridge, Massachusetts01239-4688.This warranty
does not cover damage caused by accident, misuse, or
tampering with the camera,and a charge will be made for
such repairs.
This warranty gives you specific rights, and you may also
have other rights which vary from state to state. This
warranty excludes all consequential damages. Some
states doe not allow the exclusion of consequential dam-
so the foregoing exclusion may not apply to you.fr: ages
Your warranty options:
Replacement You can choose to receive a replacementV, camera at no charge.lf the failure occurswithin 90 days of
the purchase date, you can return the camera to any par-
ticipating Polaroid dealer and you will receivea new
camera. lf the failure occurs after that period,call Polaroid
at the toll-freenumber listed and we will ship you a refur-v, bished camera of equal or bettervalue. Replacementwill
be made 3-5 businessdays from the receiptof your camera.r Repair: Call the number listed for the address of the near-
est authorizedPolaroidrepair location.Pleaseallow
3 to 5 weeks from the receiptof your camera for the repair.
The repairedcamera will be returnedto you along with a
reimbursement of your postage cost. This warranty
appliesto new cameras purchasedin retailstores in the
U.S.A.
*,,;'ffView original page 24Page 25 · Read text
Blurry picture Gause Solution
. When subject is not cen- . Center the subject in the
tered in the picture, the picture. Or, if you want to
sound waves pass by the keep your subject off cen-
subject and measure the ter, frame your subject in
distance to the back- the middle of the
ground. This causesthe viewfinder. Press and
subject to be unsharp hold the shutter button
becausethe lens focuses halfway to lock in the cor-
on the background. rect lens setting. Then
reframe your subject off
center and press the
shutter button the rest of
the way.
Object in foreground pre- . The sound waves travel
vented sound waves from to the central part of the
measuring correctly. Lens scene. Be sure there are
focuses on object, caus- no objects in front of
ing unclear and possibly your subject.
dark subject.
. When picture is taken in Hold the camera steady
low light (dusk,shade, as you take the picture, or
etc.) shutter can stay place the camera on a
open for as long as 2.8 firm support.
seconds. Camera move-
ment can cause the pic-
ture to be blurry.
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Repeated spots or Cause Solution
bar pattern
Developerrollers inside . Open film door in in-
the film door need to be direct light (do not
cleaned. remove film). While turn-
ing rollers,clean them
with a lint-free cloth
dampened with water.
Damaged picture Cause Solution
. Picturewas shaken back . During first 60 seconds of
and forth or bent shortly development,handle
after it ejected from the print gently; hold it onlY
ca me ra. by its wide white border,
and do not wave or
bend it.
. Picture was left in the exit . Remove print from exit
slot, and camera was set slot as soon as it ejects.
down on a table or other
su rface.View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
Subject too dark Gause Solution
Camera's photocell mea- . Reposition subject away
sured the bright window from the bright back-
light, causing the subject g rou nd.
to be too dark.
. When a bright source of . Move the source of light
light (lamplight,candle- to one side of your sub-
light, etc.) is in the central ject so it is not in the
part of the scene and in central part of the scene.
front of the subject, the
camera's photocellwill
measure the bright light,
causing the subject to be
too dark.
Background too dark Gause Solution
Background was too far Place subject near a back-
from subject. ground and keep the pic-
ture control in the normal
position.
Subject may have been Stay within flash range of
beyond flash range. 2to 15 feet (.6m to 4.6m1,
and keep the picture con-
trol in the normal posi-
tion.
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Gopy Service Polaroid offers copies and enlargementsof your
(U.S.A. onlyl Spectra photographs in these sizes:4 x 5, 5 x 7, and
8 x 10 inches.
For details,see the mailer in the film box and/or the
order form ejected when you load each new film pack
in your camera.
For information or a copy of your Accessory and
Reprint Catalog, call toll free 1-800-421-1030.
Picture-taking tips Golor
(pictures14-17l' Vibrant, bold colors are vividly reproduced on
Spectrafilm (picture 141.Look for color when framing
the scene in the viewfinder. Colorful props such as
toys or flowers can add interest to the scene.
Distance
You can take the most pleasing pictures of people
when they are 3 to 5 feet (.9m to 1.5m) from the cam-
era (picture 15). Backgroundsbecome less distracting
and attention focuses on your subjects.
Background
Indoors,try to have a light-coloredbackground.
Outdoors, keep the background simple (picture 16).
Gomposition
When photographing landscapes,include something
in the foreground to establisha feeling of depth or
dimension (picture17).
www.orphancameras.comView original page 29From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.