Polaroid 3500 User manual

Polaroid Service Centers and Offices
Mexico
N4ichelmex S.A.*
Apartado Postal +I 6-352
N¡exico 6 D.F.
Tel.:[phone]
Nederland
Polaroid Neder and
Kant o o r:
De Boelelaan 32
1083 HJ Amsterdam
Postbus 7949
1008 AC Amsterdam
Tel.: 020 - 46 201 1
Klantenservice 020 - 46 08 09
Reparaties:
Parallelweg 37b
7511 EE Enschede
New Zealand
Polaroid New Zealand Lid
Augustus House
15 Augustus Terrace
Parnell, Auckland 1
Tel.:71-682
Mailing address
P.O. Box 37-046
Parnell
Auckland 1
Norge
Polarold (Norge) Ai S
lndustriveien 8B
Postboks 80
1473 Skárer
Tel.: (O2) 70 4714
Ósterreich
Polaroid Ges.m.b.H.
Postfach 66
Eitnergasse 1 3
1233 Wien
rel.: (Q222) 86 43 46
Panama
Polaroid lnteramerican. S.A.
P.O. Box 2167
Colon Free Zone
felr 47-7285
Puerto Rrco
=a z'a a a,,'::aa^ Corporation
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Schweiz/Suise/Svizzera
Poiarc d S,¡gapore (Pte) Ltd
[4-4 The Orchard
290 Orchard Road
Singapore I
Te : (65) 235'9611
lry'ai!ing address:
Bax 22
Paslr Panjang Post OfJlce
Singapore 5
Sverige
Polaroid AB
Ekholmsvágen 34
gox 204
127 24 Skárholmen
Tel.: [phone]
U.S,A.
Polarold Corporation
Cambrldge ¡/ass.. 02139
Tel.r (61 7) 864-4568
Repai rs
89 Second Avenue
Waltham, ¡,4ass. 02154
Tel.: [phone]
' Authorized lndependent
Repair Station
* Centre de Réparation
lndépendant Autorisé
'Polaroid'and'SX-70'are trademarks of Polaroid Corporat on Cambridge. Nrass., U.S.A
'Polaro¡d'et'SX-70'sont des marques de commerce de Po aro d Corporation,
Cambridge, Mass, E.U. Printed in U.S.A. / lmprimé aux E.U PX 1471 1At7A
Polaroid

English
Polaroid introduces sonar focusing - the ultimate in One-Step
photography.
The instant you see your picture, just aim and shoot. With sonar
focusing, the camera sets the lens instantly, automatically.
How sonar focusing works
As you begin to press the shutter button, your camera releases
sound waves to the central part of the scene.
The frequencies are far beyond our range of hearing and travel at l-:
speed of sound.
The split second it takes for the sound to reach your subject and tl'.
echo to return is fed into a tiny electronic computer inside the
camera.
The computer uses this time measurement to calculate the distanc:
between the camera lens and your subject, then signals a motor tc
turn the lens until your subject is in sharp focus.
This extraordinary chain of events takes place in less than 1/3 of a
second.
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English
Features
o Automatic and precise focusing in any light, even total darkness
o Built-in "use flash or tripod', indicator.
o Pictures from g0 cm/3 feet to infinity (flash to 4 mtl2feet).
o Can shoot as fast as every 1 .S seconds.
o 3-element, 114 mm lens.
o Variable aperture from f/9.S lo f124.
o Variable shutter speed from 1/1g0 of a second to 1 second.
o Flash in daylight to eliminate shadows.
. Automatic time exposures to 1 second.
Camera Parts
A Lens
B
a
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
N4
N
o
(3-element, 114 mm, f/9.5)
Transducer (sends. the sound
waves and receives the echo)
Shutter button
Cable release socket
Film door latch
Film door
Film shade (shields the film
from light; if it does not roll back
after the film is ejected, genily
lift its front end)
Picture exit slot
Electric eye
Sensor (for the "use flash or
tripod" indicator)
Lighten/Darken control
Focus switch
Socket for a future accessory
FIashBar socket
Viewfinder
"Use flash or tripod" indicator
Neckstrap
Tripod socket
Thumb grip
Picture counter (goes to 1O
when_you load a new or parfly
used film pack into the cámera,
counts down to show how
many pictures are left)
P
o
R
S
T

English
English
Film and flash
Your camera uses Polaroid SX-70 Land film, and FlashBars. Each r -
oack orovides ten color pictures and contains a battery that powe-
ihe cámera. Each FlashBar has ten bulbs.
You will never waste a flash or film with this camera lt will not let a
bulb fire when a fllm pack is empty and will not take a picture whe'
áll the bulbs on the side of the FlashBar facing the subject have bee'
fired. Your camera also finds the next good bulb in a partly used
FlashBar.
To load the film
Push the latch (1, A) f orward. The f ilm door will drop open.
Hold the film pack by its edges only.
Push the film pack irito the óamera until the narrow strip (1, B) snap:
open.
ilose the film door. The camera will immediately eject the film cove'
To remove an empty pack, pull the yellow tab.
To hold the camera
Grio it firmlv in the palm of your left hand.
Pla'ce your i¡ght tnümn on the thumb grip, index f.inger on the shutte-
button, and curl the other fingers into your palm (2)'
Never put your tingers ¡n front of the picture exit slot.
Look through the viewfinder eyepiece. Be sure you can see all four
corners of the image area inside.
To take the Picture
Soueeze the shutter button. The camera automatically sets the lens
Hóld the camera steady until the film is ejected (3).
nemore and handle thé developing picture by its wide white border
Use flash for most indoor pictures
lnsert a FlashBar into the FlashBar socket (4). Always do this with the
camera pointing away from you.
You can take flash pictures of subjects (90 cm-4m/3 -12 feet) from
the camera (no more, no less).
Yo_u-will get particularly good flash pictures of people when they are
1 .2-2m (4-6 feet) away and near a colorful background.
Flash pictures should not be taken where the atmosphere contains
gases or dust that may be ignited by a spark.
The "use flash or tripod" indicator
When you are not using flash, a red light may appear under the view-
finder (5) as you begin to press the shutter button.
It warns that the lighting on the scene is not bright enough for picture
taking without a tripod or other firm support.
Release the shutter button. Use flash or place the camera on a tripod
for a time exposure.
You can use flásh in daylight
This feature, called "fill-flash", can correct lighting situations that
might otherwise produce disappointing results.
Aithough you can use "fill-flash" when your subjects are 90 cm-4 m
(3-12 feet) from the camera (no more, no less), you will get particular-
ly good results when they are 1.2-2m (4-6 feet)-away.
Here is how "till-flash" can help in daylight:
l¡ strong sunlight, flash can fill in harsh facial shadows with even,
flattering light.
ln bright sunlight, your subject may be forced to squint. Take your
subject out of the direct sunlight and use flash.
Whén the sun.is behindyour subject (but not shining direcfly into the
lens) your subject usually will be too dark in the picture. "Fill:flash,,
can provide the added light your subject needs.

English
lndoor flash hints
Watch the background
To assure that it will be well lit by the flash, the background should : =
colorful and near your subject.
When the background is dark, or beyond the flash range, it will be :: -
dark in the picture.
To avoid a flash reflection
When shooting toward a reflective object or background (mirror,
window, eyeglasses, etc.), stand to one side of your subject and
shoot from an angle to avoid a flash reflection in the p¡cture.
However, when the reflective surface is smooth and flat and is the
central part of your main subject (glass-enclosed art, wall hanging,
etc.), shoot¡ng at an angle may cause the sound waves to reflect
away f rom the camera. lf this happens, the lens will be set incorrect
and your picture may be unsharp.
To avoid this, you can set the lens manually (see To set the lens
manually).
Ar r ange gr ou ps c aref u I ly
All the people in a group should be about the same distance from th:
camera. Then everyone will be lit evenly by the flash.
Picture hints
. Outdoors, in bright sunlight, stand so the sun is behind you or to
the side.
. Move in close. You will get particulary good results when your
subject is about 1.2-1.5 m (4-5 feet) from the ca,nera.
o Bright sunlit days are especially suitable for act¡on pictures. Your
camera's shutter will work at top speed, stopping all but extremely
fast action. For best results, have your subjects move toward you.
rather than across the picture.
o Watch the background. lt should complement your subjects, not
distract from them. Keep it simple.
Time exposures
Your camera can make automatic time exposures up to one second.
Kee.p the camera sleady py ptacing it on á firm sup[ort - a tripoO iJ
best - and use the Polaroid Cable Release
To take the picture, hold the cable release button down until the film
is ejected.
For best results indoors, stand so bright lights are behind you or to
the side.
Tips on outdoor lighting
Outdoors, your camera's.electric eye controls the lens opening and
shutter speed to let just the right amount of light reach tñe filmi.
The electric eye works best when the scene ié evenly lit. It can be
"fooled" by uneven lighting as described below.
Bright backgrounds: When a bright background is a large part of the
scene and reflects more light than your subject, the elettiic eye séti
the.camera for the background, caúsing yoúr subject to appeártoo -
dark in the picture.
ln th¡s situation, either
. move closer to your subject to reduce the effect of the back-
ground; or
o turn the Lighten/Darken control toward Lighten (6,A) to lighten
your subject.
Dark backgrounds; When a dark background is a large part of the
scene and reflects less light than your subject, the electric eye will
again set the camera for the background. Now, your subject may
appear too light.
This time, either move closer to your subject or set the Lighten/-
Darken control toward Darken (6, B) to darken your subjeót.
English

English English 11
To set the lens manually
A few special situations call for setting the lens manually:
o When shooting straight-on through glass, it will block the sound
waves from reáching your subject. The lens will focus on the glass
and your picture maÍ-be unsharp. Screens or bars could cause the
same result.
o When shooting at an angle toward a flat, smooth surface (glass-
enclosed art, wall hanging, etc.), the sound waves may reflect
away from the camera. lf this happens, your picture may be
unsharp.
fo set the lens manually; Set the focus switch (7, A) to the manual
position.
Then estimate the camera-to-subject distance and turn the manual
focus wheel (7, B) until that distance is opposite the white polnter
(7, C). The yellow broken line shows your camera's flash range:
90 cm-4 m (3-12 feet).
When you have finished using the manual focus system, remember
to flip the focus switch back tc the automatic position.
Picture problems and the¡r solutions
Repeated spots; lf a repeated spot or bar pattern appears on the
oiiture, the rollers inside the camera need cleaning.
it is best to check the rollers each time you load film.
To clean the rollers: ln dim light, open the film door and rotate the
rollers (8, A). Remove any specks of dirt with a clean, lint-free cloth,
moisteñed with water if needed. Check the raised ends (8, B) on the
top roller; dirt can collect there too.
Part of the picture is fogged; White areas on the picture mean light
reached the film beforé1he picture was taken. This can happen when
you remove and reinsert a f ilm pack in the light. The top.picture will
álways be fogged; others may be fogget in one corner. lt is best to
remove and reinsert a film pack in dim light.
Part of the picture rs missing: This happens when you damage the
film by squeezing the pack above and below the yellow tab. As you
load the camera, remember to hold the film pack by its edges.
Causes oÍ luzzy pictures
o Moving the camera during picture taking. Hold the camera steady
until the film is ejected from the camera.
o Taking a p¡cture in dim light. When the red light appears in the
viewfinder, remember to use flash or a tripod.
o Shooting through g/ass. The glass will block the sound waves from
reaching your subject and the lens will focus on the glass. Set the
lens manually.
. Forgetting lo reset the focus switch to the automatic position after
setting the lens manually.
o The sound waves str¡k¡ng a foreground object and not reach¡ng your
subiect As you press the shutter button, the sound waves travel to
the central part of the scene. Be sure they have a clear path to
your subject.
o Shooting at an angle toward a smooth, flat surface. The sound
waves will reflect away from the camera. Set the lens manually.
o Your subject was c/oser fo the camera than 90 cm (3 teet).
o Your subject moved during picture ta4ng.You will get the best
action pictures when your subject is moving toward you, rather
than across the picture.
Camera problems and their solutions
It the camera does not eject the film cover:
1. Press the shutter button. lf the cover ¡s not ejected, in dim light
remove the film pack, then reinsert it.
2. lf the cover still is not ejected, remove the pack (its battery may
be dead) and insert a new one.
lf the film is not ejected when you press fhe shutter button:
1. Check the picture counter; the film pack may be empty.
2. Check the FlashBar.

English
3. ln dim light, pull the film pack out" Reinsert the pack. The film
should come out when you close the door. lf the top piece of filr
is pushed forward when you reinsert the pack, pull that piece ou:
Then, close the door.
4. lf the above fail to get your camera working, insert a new film pac«"
The battery in the first pack may be dead.
lf the lilm cover or film is ejected only part way:
1. Release the film shade so it snaps back.
2. ln dim light, open the film door and pull the cover or film out.
3. lf the camera still does not work properly, remove the film pack
(its battery may be weak) and insert a new one.
lf these remedies fail to get the camera operating, call Customer
Service at the nearest Polaroid Off¡ce.
Care of your system
The camera
Treat your camera with care. Rough handling may damage delicate
parts. The lens and viewfinder will seldom need cleaning. lf they do,
blow off any dust, then wipe them gently with a clean, lint-free cloth,
From time to time clean the rollers inslde the film door with a similar
cloth, moistened with water if necessary.
The tilm
Polaroid SX-70 Land film, like all film, should be kept cool. lf possible.
store below 24"C (75"F). For longer storage, keep below 18oC
(65"F). ln its sealed box, the film can be refrigerated (not frozen).
Let it reach room temperature before using it. This will take at least
an hour.
To preserve its freshness, keep the film sealed in its protective box
until ready for use. Then, take the same care of a loaded camera as
you do of your film. Keep the camera in a cool place (but not a
refrigerator).
English
The pictures
When your SX-70 picture comes out of the camera, handle it by its
wide white border. Do not bend, crush, or fold the picture. Do not cut
the picture's borders, this can ruin the picture.
The brilliant pictures made with your SX-70 system are among the
most stable and resistant to fading ever known in photography.
Fingerprints on your pictures can be easily removed. Simply "mist"
ihe surface with your breath, then lightly polish with a tissue or a soft
clean cloth.
Electronic flash
Your camera was designed to use FlashBars and with a FlashBar it
will produce well exposed pictures over the full flash range from
about 90 cm-4 m (3-12 feet).
Because of the special electronic circuitry in your camera, an
electronic flash unit must have matching electronic characteristics
in order to give good picture results with this camera.
See your Polaroid Customer Service office for information on
electronic flash units designed to work with your camera.
Electronic flash units other than those recommended by Customer
Service may not give consistently good results and may cause your
camera to malfunction-
There is a general rule that applies to any electronic flash unit. lf you
get poor p¡cture results with it, try a FlashBar. lf you get good
pictures with a FlashBar, but not with electronic flash, the cause of
the problem is the electronic flash, not the camera or the film.
To obtain information and help
lf you are unable to get good pictures, review this instruction book.
lncorrect operation of the camera may be the cause. lf you need
further help, and before you return your camera for repair, please see
your dealer or contact the nearest Polaroid Office. lf you write about
a problem, please state the camera model, explain the problem and,
if possible, enclose sample pictures. lnclude your return address.
13

Accessories
o Polaroid Cable Release 2327
o Polaroid 138 Carrying Case
o Polaroid SX-70 Photo Album 129
For information, see your dealer or contact the nearest polaroid
Office.
Gopies and enlargements
the nearest Polaroid Office.
Beautiful popies and enlargements can be made f rom your favorite
SX-70 piciures. For copy service information, contact your dealer c
!t
English '4
Warranty ' '
lf this eamera proves defectlve wjthin threE years of the original
purchase date; we wil,l repair or, at:oúf option; replace it free of
charge. We will make no charges for labor;servise.or parts: We
will also supply one pack of film,,to r.eplace:pictures spoiled
before the defect was identified.-This warranty does not cover
damage caused by accident, misuse or tamper:ingtwith the
eamera. Repairs to corl'ect such damage will be made at a
reasonable char§e. .
To take advantage of this wa(anty,-the camera must be .
returned to, and repaired by, one of the P¡faroid Service
Centers. I'. . . :.
The above:-warranty and provisions do not affect your.statutory
rights.