Polaroid 600SE User manual

600/600SE Camera
User Guide

600/600 SE Camera User Guide
2
Nomenclature
Camera (Picture 1)
A. Flashandviewfinderaccessoryshoe
B. Neckstrapeyelets
C. Flashbracketmount
D. Filmholderlock
E. Bayonetlensmount
F. Lensreleasebutton*
G. Rangefindercouplingpin
H. Reddot*
I. Cable release holder*
J. Handgripflashshoe*
K. Shutterrelease
L. Handgrip
M. Handstrap(adjustable)
N. Cable release
O. Viewfinderindicator*
P. Viewfinderselectorswitch*
Q. Eyecup
R. Eyepiece
S. Tripod socket
* Model 600 SE only
Lens (Picture 2)
A. Reddot*
B. Depth of field scale
C. Distance scale
D. Focusingring
E. Shuttercockinglever
F. Shutterspeedring
G. Aperturecontrolring
H. PCflashconnectorsocket
I. Aperture controllever
J. Cable release socket
* Model 600 SE only
Film holder (Picture 3)
A. Dark slide
B. Doorlatch
C. Filmtab slots
D. Cameramountingbrackets
E. Developerrollers
Extrafilmholders (Model #73) are available
fromyourlocalPolaroiddealer.
Introduction
The Polaroid Models 600 and 600 SE
Professional Pack Film Cameras combine
thefeaturesofaprofessional camera with
theconvenienceofPolaroidpack film. The
lensesarefullycoatedand color corrected
(interchangeableonthe Model 600 SE) and
eachisinashutterthatallowsfullexposure
controlwitha wide range of shutter speed/
aperturecombinations.TheShutteris
synchronizedforelectronicflash.
Theremovablepackfilmholder
accommodates the Polaroid Type 100 / 600
filmformatwhichoffersa variety of film types
includingblackandwhiteprints,colorprints,
andhigh quality black and white negatives.
ThisUserGuideisillustratedwiththeModel
600 SE camera. The Model 600 is similar
butdoes not have interchangeablelenses.
The numbers throughout the text refer to
the pictures at the back of this User
Guide. (See page 14.)

600/600 SE Camera User Guide
3
Polaroid pack films
Speed
Film type (approx. ASA / DIN equiv.) Description
Types 669/108 80 ASA / 20 DIN Thesefilmsyieldapositive color print. Theyare
Polacolor ER balancedforuseinaveragedaylightandwith
electronicflash units approximating average
daylight(5500°K). Idealforbothoutdoorand
studiophotography.
Types 667 3000 ASA / 36 DIN Very high speed black and whitefilms,which
Black and White yieldapositive print. Ideal for general purpose
photography, recordinghigh-speed events or
low-lightsituations. Panchromatic. Prints need
notbe coated after development.
Type 665 75 ASA / 20 DIN Ablackand white film whichproduces a
Positive/Negative high-resolutionnegative,inadditiontoahigh
qualitypositiveprint.Idealforgeneralpurpose
photographywhere a mediumcontrastinstant
printandapermanentnegative are desired.
Panchromatic.Printsmustbecoated.
Each pack produces 8 prints, 8.3 x 10.8cm (3 1/4 x 4 1/4 in.). Type 665 film also produces a
usable negative.
Accessories (not illustrated)
A. Body cap for camera*
B. Lenscap for 127mm lens
C. Rearlenscap for 127mm lens
D. Collapsiblerubberlens hood for
127mmlens
E. Neckstrap
* Model 600 SE only

600/600 SE Camera User Guide
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Attaching the lens (Model 600 SE only)
Insertthe lens, aligning thereddotonthe lens
barrelwiththereddot on the camera body
(4).Turnthe lens clockwise until the red dot is
directlyontopandthe lens locks in place.
Screwtheendofthe cable release into the
cablereleasesocketonthe lens (5).
Before removing a lens, unscrewthecable
releasefromitssocketon the lens and hang
itonthecablereleaseholderonthehand
grip(6).(Thecablereleaseispermanently
fixedto the handle and cannot be removed.)
Ifthereisfilmin the camera, be sure the dark
slideisinsertedbeforeremoving the lens.
To detach the lens, press the lens release
buttonand turnthelens counterclockwise(7).
Alwaysplacethe body cap on the camera
whenstoring it without the lens, andkeep
bothfront and rear lens caps on the lens. To
attachthe body cap, fit it into the lens mount
andturn it clockwise one-eighth of aturn(8).
Neckstrap
Attachthe neckstrap as shown for the Model
600 (9) and the Model 600 SE (10).
Assembly (Picture 4)
Eyecup
Fitthe rubber eyecup over the viewfinder
eyepiece(11).
Lens hood
Screwthecollapsiblerubberlenshoodonto
thelens(12). For best picture-taking results,
alenshood should always be used. For
storage,youmayfolditbackoverthelens
barrelandputonthelenscap.
Film holder
Theremovablefilmholderisattachedtothe
camerabymeans of two sliding lockson
eitherside of the camera body (13). When
attachingthefilmholder,besureit is properly
seatedandthat the film tab slot isonthe
opposite side of the camera from the hand
grip (14).
Ifthereisfilmin the holder,besure the dark
slideisinserted before removing the holder.

600/600 SE Camera User Guide
5
Lenses (Pictures 15 through 17)
TheModels 600/600SE cameras have a 127mm f/4.7 lens (15). Two additional lenses are
availablefor the Model 600 SE (16 and 17). Each lens comes complete withfront and rear lens
capsanda collapsible rubber lens hood.
Alllensesareequippedwith a Seiko between-the-lens shutter, with 10 speeds ranging from
1sec.to 1/500sec.and Bulb. Theshutteris Xsynchronizedforelectronic flash at all speeds.
127mm f/4.7 lens (15) 75mm f/5.6 lens* (16) 150mm f/5.6 lens (17)
(normal) (wide angle) (portrait)
Lens Construction 3groups 4groups 3 groups
4elements 7 elements 4 elements
Apertures f/4.7tof/64 f/5.6 to f/45 f/5.6tof/45
Closest Focusing 1.1m(3.5 ft.) 1m (3.3 ft.) 2m (6.6 ft.)
Distance
Angle of View 41ohorizontal 65o horizontal 35o horizontal
Screw-in-Filter 55 mm 72 mm 55 mm
Size
*The75mmlenscomeswithanaccessory viewfinder.

600/600 SE Camera User Guide
6
Focusing
The Models 600 and 600 SE are equipped
witha coincidence-type rangefinder in which
twoimagescome together within a circle
whenin focus. Tofamiliarize yourself with it,
firstsetthelensatinfinityandfocuson a
nearbysubject,asdescribedbelow.
How to focus
Viewyoursubject through the bright circlein
theviewfinder(18). Position your eye sothe
entirecircleisvisible.Within the circle your
subjectwillappearastwo images (19). Turn
thefocusingringsothat these two images
coincide (20). Now the camera is focused on
yoursubject.
Using the viewfinder (Picture 21)
127mm lens (Models 600 and 600 SE)
Composewithintheframinglines seen in
yourviewfinder (21). When focused beyond
3m(10ft.),usethedotsoutsideofthelines.
Model 600 SE only
Theviewfinder frame is adjustable for
127mmand 150mm focal length lenses.
Slidetheselectorswitchtomatchthefocal
lengthof the lens in use (22,23).
75mm lens (Model 600 SE only)
Whenusing the 75mmlens,attachthe
wideangleviewfindersuppliedwiththatlens
tothe accessory shoe on top of the camera
(24).
Whenattaching or removing theviewfinder,
besurethe locking device (24A)is unlocked.
Onceattached, turn the locking knob as far
asit will go, in the direction of the arrow, to
securethe viewfinder. Focusyoursubject
throughthe camera’sviewfinder,readthe
subjectdistancefromthelensbarrel(25),
andsetthewideangle viewfinder knob to
thatdistance(26). Now lookthroughthe
wideangleviewfinderandcomposeyour
subjectwithin the bright frame (27).
Depth of field scale
Whenyou focus on the most importantpartof
yoursubject, some parts intheforeground
andbackgroundof the scene will alsobe in
acceptablysharp focus in the picture.
Thedistance between the nearest and
farthestpointsinsharpfocusiscalledthe
zoneofsharpfocus,or the depth of field. To
determinethisdistancefora particular scene
usethedepthoffield scale on the lens barrel
(28). After choosing the aperture setting and
focusingthe subject, locate theaperture
numberonbothsidesof the red focus mark
onthedepthoffield scale (28A). Followthe
whitelineup to the distance scaleand read
thenearandfarlimitsofyourzoneofsharp
focus(28B). For example, with the 127mm
lensatf/32, at a subject distanceof 1.7m
(51/2ft.),thedepthof field will be
approximately1.4-2.1m (4 1/2-7ft.) (29).
Exposure controls (Picture 30)
Setting the shutter speeds (30)
Theshutterhas10speeds,rangingfrom
1 sec. to 1/500 sec., plus a Bsetting for
timeexposures. Thesearesetbyturning
theshutterspeedring. IfsetatB,the shutter
staysopenaslongastheshutterrelease
buttoniskept depressed. When setting
shutterspeeds,besurethattheredmark
pointsdirectly at the speed number, not
betweentwonumbers.

600/600 SE Camera User Guide
7
Setting the lens opening (30)
Aperturescan be varied by turning the
aperturecontrollever. There are click stops
atevery f-number, but the dial canbeset
betweenthenumbers.
Neutral density filter
Inverybrightdaylightwith3000speedblack
andwhitefilm,youmaywanttouseafour
orfivestop neutral densityfilter(available
fromyour photo dealer) whichwillenableyou
to choose a wider range of apertures and
shutterspeeds, if necessary.
Loading the film
The holder may be loaded before or after it is
attachedto the camera. Pull up on the latch
toopenthe film holder door; thedoor does
notopenflat. Alwaysholdthefilmpackby
theedges,not in the center. Slide thepack
inatanangle,thenpushitdownintoplace
(31). Checkthat the white tabs are not
caughtbetween the pack and the holder (32).
Closeandlatchthedoor, with the endofthe
blacktabsticking out. Pull the black tab
straight,allthewayoutoftheholder(33). A
smallwhitetabwillappear.
Making the exposure
•Removethedarkslide(34).
•Setthe shutter speed and lens aperture.
•Cockthe shutter lever (35).
•Focus.
•Framethe subject in the viewfinder.
•Depresstheshutterrelease(36).
Processing the film
Tab-pulling tips
Inorder for the film to develop properly,the
tabsmustbe pulled out of the exitdoor
straight. Becarefulnot to bend thefilm unit
towardsyou or towards thelens as youpull,
and donot pull itout at an angle. Hereare
somerecommendedtechniques.
Handheld: Holdthecamera in front of you
andletthecamerahangwiththefilmtabslot
down. Thenpull the tabs straightdown(37).
Or,bracingyourelbow against your body,
holdthecamera so the film tabslot is up, and
pullthe tabs straight up (38).
On a tripod: Bracethe camera and pull the
tabsstraight, as shown (39).
Caution
ThePolaroidfilm process uses a causticjelly which is safely packedinside sealed containers
within the film pack. If accidentally you should get some of this jelly on your skin, wipe it
off immediately. To avoid an alkali burn, wash the area withplentyofwaterassoonaspossible.
It is particularly important to keep the jelly away from eyes and mouth. Keep discarded
materialsout of reach of children and animals, and out of contact withclothingandfurniture,as
discardedmaterialsstillcontainsomejelly.

600/600 SE Camera User Guide
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How to pull the tabs
Aftermaking the exposure, pull the whitetab
straight,allthewayoutofthecamera.Alarge
yellowtabwillappear(40). Gripthe yellow
tabfirmly.Pull it straight out ofthecameraat
moderatespeed,withouthesitation(41). The
pictureisnow developing, so start timing.
Developthepictureforthefulltime
recommendedinthefilminstructionsinside
thefimbox. Separate the print from the
negativein one continuous motion, starting at
theend nearest the yellow tab (42).
Informationon handlingofprints and
negativesisinthefilminstructions.
Electronic flash (Picture 43)
Anelectronic flash unit can be mountedon
theaccessoryshoe on top of the camera
(43A). The Model 600 SE has an additional
accessoryshoeon top of the handgrip(43B)
thatcan be usedformountingthe flash unit
usingthe 75mm lens andviewfinder.
Ifyou use a large handle-type flash,aspecial
bracketmay be available for your unit that
attachesto the flash mount on the side of the
camera(44). Ifyouusethebracketthat
comes withyour unit, be sure it does not
obstruct the film holder and its operation.
Consultyour photodealerfor further
information.
Plugthe connector cord from the electronic
flashunit into the PC connector socket on the
lens(45). The shutterisXsynchronized for
electronicflashatallspeeds. Consultthe
instructionsprovided with theflashunitfor
properlens aperture settings.
Theremaybenoticeabledifferencesin the
colorqualityofthelightfromvariousmakes
ofelectronic flashunits.Ifyour flashproduces
displeasingcolorswith Polaroid film, the
problemcan usually be corrected by suitable
filtrationon the camera lensortheflashunit.
Automatic flash units and color film
Itisrecommendedthatyoukeepan
automaticflash unitsetfor“manual”
operationwhen using color film.
Whenset for “automatic” operation, exposure
iscontrolled by the durationoftheflash.
Whenyour subject is close,theflashduration
maybe considerably shorter than 1/1,000
sec. Theresultingreciprocityeffectstend to
causeacolorshifttowardsthewarmer
colors. Ifnecessary,this can be corrected
withweakcyanorblueandcyanCCfiltration.
Maintenance
Lens care
ThelenssuppliedwiththeModels600and
600SE is a high quality, professional lens
thatshould be kept clean and handled with
extremecare. Ifitshouldbecomedirty,blow
offanydust,then wipe gentlywithaclean,
lint-freecloth. Fingerprints should be cleaned
offimmediately with a drop of lenscleaning
fluidandlenstissue. Neverusesilicone-
coatedeyeglasstissuetoclean the lens.
Keep the developer rollers clean
Itis extremely important to keep the rollers
cleanat all times. Dirt or developer
chemicalsontherollerswillleavemarkson
thepictureandmayevencausethepictureto
jamin the rollers.
To clean the rollers: Withboth hands,lift
thesteel loops, and remove the roller
assembly(46). Clean both rollerswitha
damp,lint-free cloth (47). Neverscrape them
withanythingmetallic,nor withyourfingernail.

600/600 SE Camera User Guide
9
Rotatebothrollersasyoucleanandinspect
them.Alsocleanthefilmtabslot(48). Then
replacethe roller assembly.
Storage
To protect the lensandcamera parts, be sure
toputon lens caps and body capwhennot in
use. Donot store your lens with theshutter
cocked.
Filters
The Models 600 and 600 SE lenses
accommodatestandardscrew-infilters,
availablefromyourlocalphotodealer.
Whenphotographing outdoors, particularlyin
shadyor overcast situations, you may find it
helpfulto use a UV filter (available from your
localphotodealer).
More on exposure
Guide to exposure control
Exposureis the amount of light that reaches
thefilm throughthelens. Itis controlledbythe
lengthof time theshutterisopen (shutter
speed)andthe size of the opening inthelens
(lensaperture).
To increase exposure (make pictures lighter),
usea longer exposure time (slower shutter
speed),oralargerlens opening (aperture).
To decrease exposure (make pictures
darker),useashorterexposuretime(faster
shutterspeed), or smaller lens opening
(aperture).
Theshutter stays openforthelength of time
indicatedon the ring. The numbers signify
fractionsofa second; thus, 60 = 1/60sec.,
4 = 1/4sec., 1 = 1 sec., etc.
Thelensopening can be made largeror
smaller. Thesizeofthe opening is measured
inf-numbers, which are markedonthelens
ring. Thehighest f-number indicates the
smallestopening; thelowestf-number
indicatesthelargestopening.
More on film
The importance of the film instruction
sheet: Themostup-to-dateandaccurate
informationonafilmwillalwaysbefoundin
theinstruction sheet packaged with that film.
Time, temperature and development: The
idealdevelopment temperature for all the
films is about 70-75o F (21-24o C). When it’s
muchwarmer or colder, you may need to
adjustthe development time or the exposure.
Shutter speeds
500 250 125 60 30 15 8 4 2 1
←←
←←
← Darken/Lighten →→
→→
→
Lens openings
4,7 5,6 8 11 16 22 32 44 64
←←
←←
←Lighten / Darken →→
→→
→

600/600 SE Camera User Guide
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Coat black and white prints: Prints from all
blackandwhitefilmsexceptType 667 must
be coated as soon as possible to protect
themfrom scratches, fingerprints and fading,
andtopreventchangesin tone. For details,
see the film instructions. Do not coat color
prints.
Type 665 negatives: These must be
immersedinasodiumsulfite solution
immediatelyafterseparationfromthe
positiveprint.Seetheinstructionsonthe
insideofthefimbox for full details.
Protect film from heat: Keep film away
fromheat. Extreme heat and humidity can
damage it, especially after the pack is
removedfromits sealed foil wrapping.
Troubleshooting
If no white tab appears: Open the door
and,without moving thefilmpack,push the
whitetab out (49). Thenclose and latchthe
door.
If no yellow tab appears when you pull
the white tab: Do not pull another white tab.
Instead,carefullyopenthe holderfarenough
to get a finger on top of the film pack to hold it
down(50). Grasp the topmost yellow tab,
andgentlypullitallthewayoutanddiscardit
(51). Inspect the rollers and clean themif
necessary.Close and latchtheholder,with
thenext white tab stickingout.
Picture faults and probable
causes
Repeated, evenly-spaced spots: Due to
dirtonthesteelrollersinthefilmholder.
Missing corners or orange-red marks
along edges: Causedby pulling the yellow
taboutof the camera at anangle. Also
causedbydried developer chemicals at the
endsofthesteelrollersinthefilmholder.
Oblong in print: Thewhite tabwas not
pulledall thewayout. Whenthe yellowtab
waspulled,thewhitetabwaspulledbackinto
thecamera.
Many small white specks: Caused by
pullingthe yellow tab out too fast. Thiscan
alsocausepink lines, streaks or blotches on
colorprints.
Picture with dull, weak colors: The print
wasnot developed long enough.
Underdevelopedcolorprintsmaybe
brownishpink.
Picture with reddish tint and muddy
colors: Thepicture was developed at
temperatures below 65o F (18o C).
Color prints much too red: May occur with
someelectronic flash units when set at
“Auto”.
Very light image or none at all: The film
wasfoggedor extremely overexposed. Do
notremove the safety coverfromthefilm
packbeforeinserting it into the camera,and
donotremove a loaded film holder fromthe
camerawithoutinserting the dark slide. Be
sureyourexposureisbasedonthecorrect
filmspeed.
Nearly black image or solid black:
Causedbyinsufficientor no exposure. Be
sureyou have cocked theshutterand
removedthedark slide. Be sure your
exposureis based onthe correct filmspeed.
Broad streak or curtain-shaped mark:
Duetohesitationorstoppingwhilepullingthe
yellowtabout.