Polaroid BIG SHOT User manual

KNOW YOUR CAMERA
A. Back lock
B. White tab slot
C. Yellow tab slot
D. Shutter release
E. Lens, single meniscus,
220 mm, fj29
F. LIGHTEN/DARKEN control
G. Flashcube socket
H. Rangefinder j viewfinder
rear window
1. Rangefinder j viewfinder
front windows
J. Development timer
K. Flexible T handle
L. Developer spreader
M. Camera number
IMPORTANT: The developer spreader (L) must be kept clean or you
won't get good pictures . Check it and clean it as shown on page 22.
2

Development timer: To operate it, turn the arrow
clockwise ail the way and let go; the timer will run
for approximately one minute, the recommended
development time for color pictures in ordinary
room temperatures (about 75°F). At lower tem·
peratures you must develop pictures for a longer
time; see the film instructions for details.
LightenjDarken control: By turning the ring (F)
you can
adjust the amount of light reaching the
film to make a picture lighter or darker, as desired,
or to take care of differences in flashcubes or film
packs. When and how to use the ljD control is ex·
plained on page 8. It is shown here set to the
Normal position.
DARKEN
LlGHTEN
YOU CAN MAKE THESE KINDS OF PICTURES WITH THIS CAMERA
COlOR PICTURES .............. load the Big Shot only with Polaroid Polacolor land film packs, Type
108. Do not use Type 107 black and white film with this camera.
FLASH PICTURES .... ........... It is designed to use only the new batteryless Magicubes, or equiva·
lent. Other kinds of cubes won't fit the socket. Pictures made without
flash, even in bright daylight, will generally be too dark.
PICTURES AT ONE DISTANCE. .... The Big Shot's fixed focus lens is set to make sharp pictures when the
subject is about 39 inches from the lens. A simple·to·use but accu rate
one·distance rangefinder puts you at the correct distance. Objects
much closer or further than 39 inches will be out of focus.
VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL. ...... Vou can hold the camera either way, as shown on page 4; the range·
PICTURES finder works equally weil in both positions.
IMPORTANT. .................. Do not make flash pictures in explosive atmospheres.
3

HOW TO HOlD THE CAMERA
Grip the viewfinder housing firmly with your left
hand. Be careful not to cover the lower window of
the rangefinder (A). If you do, the rangefinder
won't work. When d eveloping pictures, hold the
camera as shown on page 7.
You can operate the shutter release with either
your forefinger or your thumb, as shown. Squeeze
slowly and
smoothly until the bulb flashes. Be
careful not to shake the camera.
HOW TO USE THE RANGEFINDER
Stand about 4 ft. away. Look through the bright spot at the most
important part of your subject (eyes, for example). You should
see two images (four eyes). This shows you are at the wrong dis·
tance . Move closer, or if too close back up, until the two images
in the bright spot become a single, clear image of the most im·
portant part. You are now at the right distance. Disregard other
parts of your subject which you may see in the bright spot.
For a vertical picture
OUT OF FOeUS
....... (two images) -..
Move closer
or back up
....... IN FOeUS -..
(single image)
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HOW TO LOAD THE CAMERA WITH FILM
The film: Use only Polaroid Polacolor Land film
packs, Type 108. Each pack makes eight pictures.
1. Open the package: Siide the foil bag out of the
box. Handle it carefully and only by the edges. Tear
the bag along the dotted line and remove the pack.
A
2. Unlock and open the back: Push up both ends
of the back lock (A) and open the back ail the way.
4. Check the white tabs (C): Be sure that they are
not caught between the pack and the camera.
6. Grip the black tab: Hold the camera by the
han die and get a grip on the black tab (0) as shown.
The black tab is the end of the safety cover. Pull
the safety cover ail the way out of the camera.
Pull it straight and be careful not to rip it.
Hold
it only by the edges. Oiscard the moisture
absorbing card which is inside the foil bag with the
pack (some packs may not have a card). Save the
box and the foil bag for carrying prints and waste.
Please
read the instruction sheet carefully so
you'II know how long to develop your pictures.
3. Insert the pack: Hold the film pack by the
edges as shown. Push the closed end of the pack
under the light shield (B) against a spring and then
push the pack down into the camera.
5. Close and lock the back: Hold the back closed
and push down on the center of the lock (A). The
black tab on the safety cover (0) should stick out
behind the lock.
7. Look for the white tab: When the safety cover
is removed, a white tab (E) should stick out of the
small slot next to the lock.
If you can see a white tab, you are now ready to
take picture No. 1.
If there is no white tab: Turn to page 23.
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LET'S MAKE A PICTURE
1. Insert a flashcube: Use only batteryless Magi-
cubes, or equivalent. Press the cube base into the
socket firmly_
2. Check
the LjD control: Ordinarily, it should be
left at the Normal position as shown. On the
back of some color film packs you may find printed
instructions advising you to set the LjD control
one mark toward LlGHTEN for ail pictures made
with that pack. Please follow that advice; it's
important.
3. Get set: Place your subject close to a back-
ground, which should be brightly colored, if pos-
sible. Stand
about 4 ft. away_
4. Look: Hold the camera as shown_ Be careful
not to coyer the lower window (A) of the range·
finder. Look through the bright spot at the most
important part of your subject (eyes, for example).
You should see two images (four eyes). This shows
that you are standing at the wrong distance from
your subject.
OUT OF FOCUS
IN FOCUS
5. Focus: Move closer (and if you get too close,
back up) until the two images in the bright spot
become a single, clear image of the most important
part. You are now at the right distance. Disregard
other parts of your subject which you may see in
the bright spot.
6. Aim and shoot: Make sure your subject is
nicely placed within the bright frame line. Gently
squeeze the shutter release with your forefinger
or thumb until the flash fires. Then let go of the
shutter release, which will pop up again. The
flashcube automat i cally turns 90° after each flash.
After four flashes the shutter release will not pop
up; this is the signal to insert a new cube.
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HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PICTURE
FIRST, PULL THE WHITE TAB OUT OF THE CAMERA
1. Let the camera hang freely:
Hold it by the flexible T handle.
Don't hold onto the camera body!
THEN, THE YELLOW TAB
3. Grip the center
of the yellow tab.
2. Pull the white tab
(A) ail the way out of the camera: This causes a
yellow
tab (8) to pop out of a narrow opening in the end of the camera .
IF A YELLOW TAB DOES NOT COME OUT,
DON'T PULL ANOTHER WHITE TAB!
The tab usually gets jammed because of dirt in the developer
spreader. First, remove the jammed yellow tab, as shown on page 23.
Then clean the developer spreader (see page 22).
NEVER PULL A WHITE TAB IF YOU CAN SEE A YELLOW TAB,
OR YOU WILL CAUSE THE FILM TO JAM!
If you accidentally pull a white tab while a yellow tab is showing, don't
pull another. 1 nstead, follow the steps shown on page 23.
4. Pull the yellow tab ail the way out of the camera:
As you pull the tab out with your right hand, pull the camera to your
left with the T handle. Pull smoothly, at medium speed, without slow-
ing down or stopping.
THE PICTURE IS NOW DEVELOPING OUTSIDE THE CAMERA, SO START THE
DEVELOPMENT TIMER RIGHT AFTER PULLING THE TAB OUT . NEXT PAGE, PLEASE.
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5. Oevelop the picture for the full time given in
the film instruction sheet: Let the film hang from
the yellow tab without moving, or lay it down fiat.
Oon't touch or bend the part where the picture
is developing (A) .
START HERE
DARKEN
LIGHTEN
6.
Separate the print: After the full development
time , quickly lift the print away from the rest of
the paper , starting from the end near the yellow
tab, as shown. Oon't start at the other end ; you
will
get developer chemicals on your fingers.
7. Fold up the negative: To avoid touching chemi-
cals left after the print is removed, fold up the
negative with the moist side in. Please put it in a
wastebasket.
Caution : Please be sure to read the CAUT I ON
notice on page 24.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR NEXT PICTURE
LlGHTER
OR OARKER
If the camera's LIGHTEN/DARKEN control was at
the Normal position, as shown, and if you used the
rangefinder correctly, your picture should be weil
exposed and in sharp focus .
However, variations in flashcubes may cause
some pictures to be lighter or darker than others ,
or you may want a picture to be lighter or darker
for reasons of personal taste.
To make the next picture of the same subject
lighter or darker, adjust the LlGHTEN / DARKEN
control. For a small change, turn it one mark
toward the LIGH TE N or DARKEN symbol; for a greater
change, move it two marks. Don't forget to return
the L/ D control to the Normal position when a
special setting is no longer necessary.
CARE OF COLOR PRINTS
A newly separated color print will look nearly dry,
but it is actually slightly moist and the surface can
be damaged by handling. Don't touch the surface
for a few minutes; it will dry hard and glossy .
Be
sure the print is fully dry before allow i ng it to
touch another print, or the two may stick together.
When the print is dry, protect it against curling,
cracking, etc. by putting it on one of the cardboard
mounts supplied with the film.
The dyes used to form colors in the prints are
long lasting. However, like ail dyes, they will fade
if exposed to bright light for long periods of time .
The best way to protect your prints is to keep them
in Polaroid Picture Albums.
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TRY THESE 20 IDEAS
FOR BETTER PICTURES
Here are Il pages of Big Shot pictures -
20 examples of the many kinds of beautiful
and exciting color photos it's easy to make
with this camera .
Each presents at least one picture idea.
If you did nothing more than imitate them
(we suggest that you do so) you'd have a
wonderful picture collection . We hope that
your results will make you want to try
many other ideas of your own.
One word of caution: This camera is very
simple to use but, even so, you must know
what to do with it to make pictures like
these. 50, please read the entire instruc-
tion book carefuHy.
FIRST RULE -HAVE A GOOD BACK-
GROUND: Always try to place your subject
close to a good background, preferably
one that is brightly colored. A wall, a door,
a curtain, even a large picture, can make a
good
background. Try to pick one that con·
trasts with the color of your subject's hair
and clothing - that helps to separate the
subject from the background. The top
picture is a good example.
ln the bottom picture the background
was so far away the light from the flash
did not reach it and the outline of the head
is not clear. However, for a subject with
white hair, such a background would not
be bad; try it some time.
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ADD HANDS TO ADD ACTION
FINGERS WILL DO: Here you see only part
of the man's hand s, but there 's no doubt
about what the "action" is . Whether
they're old and gnarled or young a nd
graceful, hands can add much to portraits.
BE A OIRECTOR: An easy way to get a
more natural 100 king picture is to have
your subjects use their hands for some
simple activity, such as picking up the
phone, or pou ring something colorful, or
holding an ice cream cone, apple, etc.
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