Polaroid MiniPortrait 203 User manual

MiniPortrait Camera
User Guide

MiniPortrait Camera User Guide
2
What’s Inside
Introduction........................................................................................ 3
Beforeyou begin ............................................................................... 4
Cleanthe rollers ........................................................................... 4
Usea clean,white background..................................................... 4
Knowtheprocessing times forPolaroidfilms ............................... 4
KnowPolaroid’s toll-freenumber fortechnicalassistance............. 4
Settingup for greatpictures............................................................... 5
Tipsandtechniques........................................................................... 7
Usefresh film ............................................................................... 7
Knowpicture-size andpicture-typerequirements.......................... 7
Havea photocutting devicenearby .............................................. 7
Checkyour supplyofphoto folders ............................................... 7
Setthe flashunit position.............................................................. 7
Framingandcomposition.................................................................. 8
Usethe viewfinder aimingand framingaids ................................. 8
Aimandframeaccuratelythrough theviewfinder .......................... 8
Camerasettings step-by-step............................................................ 9
Setthe Film SpeedSwitch onthe flashunitfor thePolaroid
filmtype youareusing.................................................................. 10
Setthetimer forthe processing time ............................................ 10
Usingthe Sonarrangefinder......................................................... 10
Film processing................................................................................. 11
Pullthe film tabsstraight atamoderate speed ............................. 11
Handledeveloping pictureswith care ........................................... 11
Pictureproblems andproblem prevention.......................................... 13
Rulesandregulations ........................................................................ 17
Accessories...................................................................................... 18
Toll-freetechnical assistance ............................................................. 19

MiniPortrait Camera User Guide
3
Introduction
The Polaroid MiniPortrait Model 203
two-lens camera has been used in most of
the illustrations and operational
photographs in this booklet. Where infor-
mation about four-lens cameras appears,
the Model 455 camera has been used.
While most of the general tips and
techniquesapply toall MiniPortrait
cameras,users of earliermodels should
referto theinstruction bookfortheirparticular
camerafor details aboutexposure and
distance settings, or call Polaroid Technical
Assistanceat thetoll-freenumber shownon
page 4.
Please keep this booklet within reach of
your camera.
The information in this booklet is designed
to help both experienced photographers
and occasional users of Polaroid MiniPortrait
camerasproduce instantphotos for
passports,visas andother officialdocuments
thatmeetthequalitystandards ofregulatory
agencies,as well asthe expectationsof
payingcustomers.
The booklet will help camera operators set
up and shoot successfully…avoid 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
theinstructions providedwith Polaroid
MiniPortraitcameras. Please consultthose
instructionswhenfirstlearningto usethe
camera.

MiniPortrait Camera User Guide
4
Know the processing times for Polaroid
films
Color films/U.S. passport pictures
Recommended Normalprocessing time*
filmtypes
Polacolor 100 90 seconds
Polacolor Pro 100 90 seconds
Studio Polaroid 90 seconds
Providid 90 seconds
PolacolorER 60 seconds
Types669, 559
Black and white film
Recommended Normalprocessing time*
filmtypes
Type 667, 665, 554 30 seconds
* AT 70º - 77º F (21º - 24º C)
Know Polaroid’s toll-free number for
technical assistance
Forassistance withyourcamera or
Polaroidfilms, orforadvice onany instant
photographicproblem, pleasedon’thesitate
tocall us. Calltoll-free at 1-800-343-5000,
Mondaythrough Friday,8 a.m.to 8p.m.,
EasternTime.
More about lighting
Detailedinformation aboutlightingcan be
foundin theinstructionbookthatcame with
yourPolaroid MiniPortrait camera. Thebook
includesinformation aboutbasic portrait
lightingtechniques, aswellas alternative
lightingoptions.
Before you begin…
Clean the rollers
Removeand cleanthe rollersin thefilm
holderregularly. Checktherollerseachtime
you load a pack of film and before each
picture-takingsession. (You cancheck and
cleanthe rollersevenwhenthefilm holderis
loadedwith film.) Therollerscan beremoved
easilyfor cleaning. Use asoft cloth,moist-
enedwith water. Donot usealcoholor other
cleaningfluids, andnever scrapethe rollers
witha hardobject orwith yourfingernails.
Use a clean, white background
Formost documentphotos aclean,white
backgroundis required. For bestresults, use
seamless,super-whitepaper,or a beaded,
whiteprojector screen. Avoid clothback-
drops.
Fortheverybestresults, auxiliary
backgroundlighting isrecommended.
(See page 5)

MiniPortrait Camera User Guide
5
1Usea clean,white background.
2Abackground light isrecomended.
3Providean adjustablestool foryour
subject.
4Placethe subjectcloseto the
background,about 10-12in.
5Measurecamera-to-subject distance
carefully. Distance affectsimage size,
imagesharpness, andexposure.
(See page 10)
6Usethe Sonarrangefinder tohelp
positionthe camera atthe correct
distance(1.2 m/47in.) fromyour
subject. (See page 10)
Setting up for great pictures
7Makesure yoursubject isfacingdirectly
towardthe camera.
8Thecamera lensesshould beat the
subject’seyelevel.
9Markthe correctcamera andsubject
positionsif your setupis not
permanent.
10 Forconsistent resultsmountthe camera
on a tripod.
11 Whenusing thecamera’s flashas the
mainlighting, besure theflash unitis in
the“up” position andreflector isfacing
forward. (See page 7)
12 Checkthe cameraexposure settings
before you shoot. (See pages 9-10)
1
2
3
45
7
8
17
14
16
9
18
15
12
13
11
6
10

MiniPortrait Camera User Guide
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13 Setthe timer forthe correctprocessing
timefor thefilm youre using.
(See pages 4, 10 and 11)
14 Havea photo-trimmingdevice, suchas
a die cutter, handy. (See page 18)
15 Havea supply ofPolaroid Photo
Foldersavailable to protectyour images
andto assuresafe deliveryto your
customers. (See pages 7 and 18)
16 Knowthe photo specifications(image
size)for thedocumentsin whichthe
pictures will be used. (See page 17)
17 Havea mirrornearby foryour customer’s
convenience.
18 Keep a copy of “Quick Tips for
MiniPortraitCamera Users”handy for
fastreference.

MiniPortrait Camera User Guide
7
Use fresh film
Notethe film expirationdate stampedon
Polaroidfilm packages. Outdated filmmay
notproduce satisfactoryresults, andis not
coveredby thePolaroidfilmwarranty.
Know picture-size and picture-type
requirements
Referto the informationon page15for
detailsabout documentphoto picturesizes,
image sizes, and film types (color or black &
white). Mostgovernmental agenciesand
regulatorybodies havespecific requirements
fordocumentphotos.
Have a photo cutting device nearby
Be prepared to trim photos to the proper
size. Usea die cutter,picture trimmer,or
paper cutter. (See page 18 for information
aboutaccessories.)
Check your supply of photo folders
PolaroidPhoto Foldersprotect freshly
processedpictures fromscratchesand other
damage. Thespecial coating onthe folders
makes them a safe place to keep pictures that
arenot quitedrytothetouch.
UsePhoto Folders topresent aprofessional
appearance to customers. (See page 18 for
informationabout ordering.)
Set the flash unit position
Ifthe mainlight sourceis thecamera flash
unit…
•Raisethe flashunitall theway up. The
greenlight willcome oninafewseconds. If
itdoesn’t, turnto page12forinstructions.
•Rotatethe flashTiltKnob sothe flash
reflectorfaces forward. (Thetiltfeature
allowsyoutousebounceflashwithauxiliary
lighting.)
Formore informationabout lighting,referto
yourcamera instructionbook.
Tips and techniques

MiniPortrait Camera User Guide
8
Use the viewfinder aiming and framing
aids
aPortraitframes.
bSizingdots (forvarious document“head
size”requirements).
cSizingbar (forvarious document“head
size”requirements).
dSonarrangefinder indicatorlights.
Aim and frame accurately through the
viewfinder
Adjustthe heightof thecamerasothelenses
areabout levelwith thesubject’s eyes.
aUse the solid frame to compose
portraitsof subjectswhen theDistance
Selector is set to 1.2 m (47 in.).
Framing and composition
bUsethe partial framefor composing
portraitswhen the DistanceSelector is
setto 1.92m (76in.)andsupplementary
lensesare being used.
Usethe sizing barand dotsto helpproduce
portraitsin whichthe subject’s“head size”must
meet specific requirements. (See page 17)
ForU.S. passport picturesplace thebarunder
anadult subject’schin; checkto besure that
thetop of thesubject’s headis betweenthe
highestand lowestdots.

MiniPortrait Camera User Guide
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aSetthe lensapertureusingthe
guidelinesindicated onthe flashunit.
bTurn thecamera onbesettingthe0/1
switchto “1”.
cForU.S. passport photosand most
otherdocument photosofoneperson,
settheDistance Switch to1.2m
(47in.).
dSetthe Shutter SpeedSelector to
1/125,especially if youare shootingin
anareawithstrongfluorescent lighting.
Note: Settingsmay haveto be
adjustedforauxiliarylighting,
differentfilm types,background
color,temperature,etc.,orto
makepictures lighter ordarker.
Exposurecan beadjusted bychanging
thelensaperture:
•Highernumberswillreduce
exposure(for darkerpictures).
•Lowernumbers willincrease
exposure(forlighterpictures).
Camera settings step-by-step
eSet the Portrait Selector for the desired
results:
Model 203:
•Twoidentical portraits
•Twodifferentportraits
Model 455:
•Fourdifferent portraits
•Fouridentical portraits
•Twopairs of identicalportraits
fThePicture Counterhelps youkeep track
ofyour picture-takingby indicatinghow
manyshots remain tobe taken. Referto
thePortrait Selectorfor pictureconfiguration,
thenread thePicture Countertoseehow
manyexposures areneededto accomplish
thetask. The Counterwill alwaysread “1”
whenmaking identicalportraits.
Onthe Model455 camera,set thecounter
usingthe procedurein theinstruction book
orcall Polaroid Technical Assistancefor
details.

MiniPortrait Camera User Guide
10
Set the Film Speed Switch on the flash
unit for the Polaroid film type you are
using
Model 203:
Set to 80 for color and black and white films
ratedISO80° – 125°.
Set to 3000 for black and white films rated
ISO3000°.
Model 455:
Set to 80/100 for color and black and white
filmsratedISO 80°– 125°.
Setto 400/800 forother films.
Set the timer for the processing time
Notethe recommended processingtime
givenon the Polaroidfilm package.Thistime
willvary accordingto thetype offilm youare
using,and maychange fromtimetotime
becauseof technical improvementsin the
film. Processingtime adjustmentsalso may
berequired because ofthe temperatureat
thetime of processing.
How to set the timer
To setthe timer (orreset it toa longer time),
pressand holdtheSETbuttonuntil thecorrect
processing time is displayed.
To setthetimer for a shorter time,press theSET
andSTARTbuttonssimultaneously untilzerois
displayed,then setthetimer asabove.
Using the Sonar Rangefinder
Ifyour setupisnotpermanentor marked,use the
SonarRangefinder to positionthe cameraat the
correctdistance fromyour subjectfor most
documentphotos. Thecamera-to-subject
distance is important because it affects image
size,image sharpness,and exposure.
Note: TheSonar Rangefinderdoes notfocus
thecamera. Itis adistance-measuring
deviceonly.
•Setthe Distance Selectoron thecamerafor
the distance specified for the image size
desired.
•Lookthrough theviewfinder andaim the
cameraat yoursubject. Press theshutter
buttonhalfwaytoactivatethe Sonar
Rangefinder.
•Ifthe camera isat thecorrect distance,both
greenlightswill beon. If the camerais too
close,the leftlightwill beon; iftoo far,the right
lightwillbe on. Movethe camera backand
forthuntil it isat thedesireddistance.