A Guide to Using Polaroid Instant Pack Films For people who want fast results Tips, techniques and inside information designed to help you get consistently good results with Polaroid instant pack films nt a st In ck Pa s m l Fi What's inside w Polaroid Pack films -- The Inside Story w Formats & Applications w The 3 critical keys to quality images w Avoiding common mistakes w Storing and handling Polaroid films w If it's hotter or colder than 75oF (24oC)... w Tab pulling: How fast? ...and how to get it straight! w Making sure your prints & images last a long time w Picture problems and problem prevention w Toll-free help and technical assistance Polaroid instant pack films -- The inside story Please keep this booklet near your camera system. The information in this booklet is designed to help experienced and occasional users of Polaroid pack films get good pictures...solve some common picture-taking errors...perform a few simple, routine, preventive maintenance checks... and get expert assistance when needed. This booklet covers in quick reference form much of the material contained in the instructions originally packed with your Polaroid equipment. Please consult those instructions when first learning to use the camera system. Users also should regularly review the film tip sheet packed with Polaroid films, since ongoing improvements may change technical characteristics, especially time and temperature processing guidelines. Each pack of Polaroid instant film contains all the elements needed to produce instant pictures. Inside, for each picture, there is a film assembly consisting of a lightsensitive negative, a positive sheet, a pod containing the developer, and tabs, which are pulled to activate the developing process. The rollers inside the camera or film holder are used to break the pod and spread the developer between the exposed negative and positive sheet. Clean rollers are important in achieving a smooth, consistent spread; they should be inspected and cleaned regularly to assure high quality results. (See page 3.) A similar booklet is available to users of Polaroid Model 545 film holders and 4x5 sheet films. To obtain a copy, call Polaroid Technical Assistance at the toll-free number given on page 2. 1 After an exposure is made, pulling the white tab all the way out moves the exposed negative from the focal plane behind the lens to a position facing the positive sheet. Simultaneously, the larger tab of the film assembly is positioned between the rollers, and sticks out of the camera or film holder where it can be grasped. Film Data Sheets & Technical Assistance For further information about Polaroid pack films, or for information about other Polaroid films, products, and applications, call toll free from within the U.S.A. at 800-225-1618, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time. Or, write to: Technical Assistance Polaroid Corporation 201 Burlington Rd. Bedford, MA 01730 For assistance outside the U.S.A., consult your nearest Polaroid office. Film Data Sheets covering most Polaroid films used for business, technical, medical and professional applications are available at no charge on the Web at www.polaroid.com. Pulling the large tab drags the film assembly negative, pod, and positive sheet through the rollers. The pod bursts open and the developer is spread between the positive and negative. It is important to pull the tabs straight and at a steady, moderate speed to ensure the developer is spread evenly. (See page 3.) Development begins immediately, outside the camera or film holder. After the proper development time, the finished picture is peeled away from the negative. (See page 7 for important tips about handling developing pictures.) 2 Formats & Applications The 3 critical keys to quality images one 1 There are three Polaroid Pack Film formats: 3 /4 x 4 /4 1 1 4x5 Image area: 3 /2 x 4 /8 in. (8.9 x 11.7 cm) 10 pictures per pack 1 5 Keep the processing rollers in the camera or film holder clean. Image area: 2 7/8 x 3 3/4 in. (7.3 x 9.5cm) 10 pictures per pack These films are used in many different Polaroid handheld cameras, such as ProPack and 600SE. They are also used with Polaroid Miniportrait cameras for making instant passport and other document photos; the Polaroid MP 4, CU-5 and DS-34 Photographic Systems; the Polaroid Palette System; and Polaroid ID Systems. They also are used in cameras and instruments manufactured or modified by OEMs to accept the Polaroid Model 405 film holder or other 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 camera backs. These films are used in cameras and instruments that accept the Polaroid Model 550 film holder, including most professional view cameras, scanning electron microscopes, the Polaroid MP 4 and CU-5 Photographic Systems, and Polaroid Miniportrait cameras, and many other OEM systems. Inspect and clean the roller surfaces regularly. It is recommended that you check the rollers each time you load a pack of film, and before each picture-taking session. Cleaning the rollers is easy. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth, moistened with water if necessary. Square-format These films are used in Polaroid square format pack film cameras and OEM photographic systems designed to accept a squareformat camera back. Your instruction book contains details on locating and cleaning the rollers in your Polaroid equipment. If you need further information, please call us toll-free at 800-225-1618. 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 4x5 Square-format 3 three 3 (3 1/4 x 3 3/8 in.) Image area: 2 3/4 x 2 7/8 in. (7 x 7.3 cm) 10 pictures per pack Dry the rollers thoroughly before use. Do not use alcohol or other cleaning fluids, and never scrape the rollers with a hard object or with your fingernails. Also clean the tab slot on the camera or film holder. Use a damp cloth or cotton swab to clean the area. two 2 Note the temperature... and time development accurately. You can take Polaroid pictures at any temperature. But, processing time and the temperature of the film at the time of processing affect picture quality. Ideally, Polaroid films should be processed at about 70-75oF (21-24oC). If the temperature is much higher or lower, you may need to adjust processing times and/or exposure settings for best results. Make it a habit to check the tip sheet packed with Polaroid films for the latest time/temperature processing information. Pull the film tabs straight Always pull both film tabs straight out of the camera or film holder. Since the film should be pulled parallel to the camera back, avoid camera positions that make tab pulling awkward. If you are using a removable film holder, insert the dark slide, then remove the holder and place it on a flat surface for tab pulling, whenever possible. Pull at a steady, moderate speed. Saying the word Polaroid is a good way to time the speed of the pull. Avoiding common mistakes Heres a brief list of reminders to help you avoid frustrating moments and unsatisfactory results. w Dont pull the black safety cover out of a film pack before loading the pack into the camera or film holder. If you do, at least one exposure will be lost. But if you do... w Check the camera exposure settings. If you set the camera for color film (ISO 80/20o), but are using high speed black and white film (ISO3000/36o), your pictures will be overexposed (too light). If you set the camera for high speed black and white film (ISO3000/36o), but are using color film (ISO 80/20o), your pictures will be underexposed (too dark). ...load the film anyway and pull the film tabs for the first picture. It will be a totally w Pull the film tabs straight white image, but the rest of and in the proper sequence. the pack should be fine. w If you are using a removable film holder, remember to pull the holders dark side before making an exposure... ...and push it back after making the exposure before removing the holder for off-camera processing. w If your camera has a lens cap, dont forget to remove it! w If your system has an electronic shutter powered by batteries, be sure the batteries are fresh and installed correctly. Dead batteries mean the shutter wont work, no exposure will be made, and youll end up with a totally black picture (see page 10). Pull the white tab after making the exposure, then the other tab. Never pull a white tab before taking the picture. w If you pull a white tab and no other tab appears, dont pull another white tab. (See page 9.) w Never wave developing film back and forth in an attempt to keep it warm or cool; this could adversely affect image quality. Be careful not to bend or squeeze developing film. Questions? Problems? Call us, toll-free: 800-225-1618 Many common picturetaking problems are discussed on pages 8 - 10. But...if you can't find a solution to a problem you are experiencing, or if you have a question, or need information, please call us. Chances are we can help. The call is toll-free, and we can be reached Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time. 4 800-225-1618 Storing and handling Polaroid films If it's hotter or colder than 70-75oF (21-24oC)... Note the film expiration date Storage recommendations & cautions Read the "Caution" notice Always use Polaroid film before the expiration date stamped on the package. Outdated film may not produce satisfactory results, and it is not covered by the Polaroid film warranty. w Store Polaroid film in a cool, dry place. Unopened film may be refrigerated in its sealed wrapper. Do not freeze film. w Before opening film that has been refrigerated, allow it to reach room temperature. This will take about 2 hours. w Avoid leaving film or a loaded camera in direct sunlight, or in a hot, humid place, such as the trunk or glove compartment of a car. High temperatures and humidity can affect picture quality. w Please note the Caution Notice printed on Polaroid film packages. Heres what it says: This process uses a caustic paste. Avoid contact with skin, eyes and mouth and keep away from children and animals. If you get some paste on your skin, wipe it off immediately and wash with water to avoid an alkali burn. If eye or mouth contact occurs, quickly wash the area with plenty of water and see a doctor. Keep discarded materials away from children, animals, clothing and furniture. w Please dispose of used negatives and packaging properly. When loading film... You can take Polaroid pictures at any temperature, but when processing Polaroid films, you should be aware of the temperature since it can affect picture quality. The developer in each sheet of film is designed to work best at about 70-75oF (21-24oC). By minimizing tem-perature variations when processing pictures you will get more consistent results. At temperatures higher or lower than 70-75oF, it may be necessary to adjust processing times and/or exposure settings to achieve optimum results. w At low temperatures, keep the film warm, under your coat or in a heated car or room. Place developing film in a warm place, such as a heated car or under your coat, being careful not to bend or crush it. Or, wait until you are in a warm place before developing each picture. (Allow film exposed to cold to warm up to room temperature before processing.) w At high temperatures, keep your film in the shade, or in an air-conditioned car or room, or in a picnic cooler, before exposure. Wait until you have reached a cool place before developing each picture. w Never wave developing film back and forth in an attempt to keep it warm or cool; this could adversely affect image quality. w Handle film packs by their edges to avoid damaging film surfaces or the pod of developer inside. w Keep the film in its wrapper until you are ready to use it. Tear open the film wrapper along the printed arrow. w Place the film pack in the camera or film holder so it fits into place. Check to be sure that the white tabs are not tucked under the pack. w After securely closing the back of the camera, or after attaching the film holder securely to the camera with the film holder dark slide closed, pull the black tab of the safety cover all the way out, as shown. Now you are ready to take pictures. 5 Tab pulling: How fast?...and how to get it straight! To assure consistently well-processed images: Always pull the film straight out of the camera or film holder. The film should be pulled parallel to the camera back or holder. Pulling at an angle can cause missing corners and/or marks and streaks on pictures. (See page 8.) Normal development If you are using a removable film holder, and the camera is positioned so that it is difficult to reach the tabs comfortably, or if tab pulling would disturb the camera set-up, remove the film holder, if possible, for tab pulling. (Dont forget to reinsert the dark slide first!) The speed at which you pull is very important. Und erd eve lope d Pull at a steady, moderate speed. Saying the word Polaroid is a good way to time the speed of the pull. Pulling too rapid ...