CatLABS Swordfish User manual
Swordsh Camera
by CatLABS
Thank you for purchasing a CatLABS Swordsh camera.
The Swordsh is easy to use, and takes any Polaroid or Fuji
pack lm peel apart type lms.
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Before you shoot:
It is important to make sure the rollers are clean before loading a new pack of lm.
Open the back of the camera using the latch lever located on the bottom right
corner of the camera.
Release the roller assembly by pressing on the red tab, and pulling the rollers up
at the same time.
Using an alcohol swab (or window cleaning dowsed paper towel), wipe the rollers
until all residue is gone and the rollers are clean. Make sure the rollers are dry
before pushing then back into place.
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Opening and closing the camera:
Open - With the camera facing you, gently raise the #1 latch on the top le corner of
the camera, and pull the lens assembly out until it lock into place.
Close – With the camera facing you, gently press on the right side brace (where it
says: press here to close), and gently push the lens assembly in until it locks in the
closed position.
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1. Loading lm
Carefully remove the pack from the foil. Always hold the pack from the sides,
never squeeze or press down on the middle (lm area) of the pack.
Insert the pack into the camera, with the lm opening towards the lens, pushing
the rear end in rst. Make sure the black ap and all white tabs are free and not
caught inside the camera and push the pack until it clicks into place.
Close the camera back.
Pull the black tab to bring up the #1 white tab – the pack is now ready to shoot.
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2. Taking a picture
Meter: Use a light meter to determine the correct exposure, or use the sunny 16 rule
(under daylight sun the correct exposure for 100ISO lm is 1/125th of a second @
F16).
Set the speed and aperture setting to the correct exposure on the shutter.
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Focus: Look through the view nder and compose your frame within the yellow
frame lines.
Place your index nger on the black plastic tabs on both sides, and slide the focus
bar le and right, to match up the super imposed image inside the view nder.
When the images merge the camera is focused at the distance of the superim-
posed object.
Press the plunger of the cable release or lens shutter (when available).
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3. Processing the lm
Take a look at your watch or stop watch, processing time for the Fuji FP100c is 90
seconds at room temperature (read the instructions to determine processing time
for other lms or temperatures).
01. Pull the white tab to bring up the sheet for processing, processing only starts on
the next step.
Pull the black and white tab to start processing the lm. The processing will start as
soon as you start pulling, so take a note of the time and start counting as you pull.
Use moderate force when pulling, and with one rm, constant motion, pull the en-
tire sheet out. Do not stop or hesitate during this step as it might aect the image.
Wait for the proper processing time and peel the positive from the backing. Peel
form the positive side, from the top le corner to reveal and awesome image!
Watch out – the caustic paste in the lm is bad for you, so avoid touching it. Discard
the backing and white tab.
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Tip – you can transfer the negative image again, onto pretty much any surface! As
soon as possible aer peeling apart, apply the backing on to the transfer surface.
Use a hard edge such as a coin or pen cap (or your ngernails) to rub the backing
onto the surface. Use only le right motions (up down motion will not always sepa-
rate the image from the backing). Do not press to hard, as the image might just stick
to the backing instead of the transfer surface. Gently and slowly peel o the backing
to reveal a super cool Polaroid transfer!
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