S P E C T R A A F
This book contains operating instructions for the Polaroid Spectra AF camera (see p. 2.) The text refers to pictures on these fold-out pages. Este manual contiene las instrucciones de operation de la camara Polaroid Spectra AF (p. 23). El texto hate referencia a las figuras de estas hojas desplegables. 16 17 • Get in close to subject (p. 20) • Add foreground interest (p. 20) • Acerquese al sujeto (p. 42) • Anada interes al fondo (p.
14 15 • Use color in pictures (p. 20) • Keep background simple (p. 20) • Use el color en las fotografías (p. 42) • Mantegna un fondo sencillo (p.
10 11 • Flash off: facial shadows (p. 8) • Add foreground interest (p. 20) • Flash: apagado sombras en la cara (p. 30) • Anada interes al fondo (p. 42) 12 13 • Distant background: too dark (p. 10) • Close background: good picture (p. 10) • Fondo distante: demasiado oscuro (p. 32) • Fondo cercano: buena fotografía (p.
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IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS As with any battery-operated equipment, observe these basic safety precautions: 1 FOLLOW ALL OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS. 2 CLOSELY SUPERVISE CAMERA WHEN IT IS BEING USED BY OR NEAR CHILDREN. 3 DO NOT USE CAMERA IF IT HAS BEEN DROPPED OR DAMAGED - UNTIL IT HAS BEEN EXAMINED AT AN AUTHORIZED POLAROID SERVICE CENTER. 4 TO AVOID ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARDS, DO NOT DISASSEMBLE CAMERA. SERVICE OR REPAIR WORK MUST BE DONE ONLY BY AN AUTHORIZED POLAROID SERVICE CENTER.
Contents The camera Using the camera Features Guide to better pictures ? The camera 2 The control panel 3 Open the camera 4 Check the control panel 4 Load the film 4 Position your subject 4 Take the picture 5 To remove an empty film pack 5 The autofocus system 6 The viewfinder displays 7 The programmed flash 8 The recharge indicator 8 Flash range 9 The exposure control 9 The self-timer 11 Photographing through glass 12 Lens care 13 Picture care 13 Film care 13 For
The camera 2 The camera a Sonar rangefinder (sends out sound waves to measure the distance to your subject). j Hand strap (adjustable) k Release latch (opens and closes the camera). b Film door release l c Film door m Neck strap connector d Film exit slot e Photocell-silicon photodiodes (measures light from the scene and light from the flash, indoors and outdoors). f Film shade (protects the picture from light as it exits the camera).
The camera 3 The control panel a Feet or meters selector (slide it down using the tip of a ball-point pen, and the distance reading in the viewfinder will be in meters). b Audio signal switch (slide it down when you want to turn off the warning tone, beeps, or chimes). c Self-timer switch (slide it down to get into your picture). d Sonar autofocus override (slide the switch down to turn off the autofocus system). e Programmed flash (slide the switch down to turn off the flash).
Using the camera 4 1 Open the camera (pictures 3, 4) Place both hands under the camera as shown. Slide the release latch back. The camera will open automatically. To close the camera (picture 4): When you have finished using the camera, close it to protect the lens. Hold the camera as shown. Slide the release latch back. Push both sides of the cover down until it locks.
Using the camera 5 5 Take the picture (pictures 7, 8) Slide your left hand through the hand strap and hold the camera as you would a pair of binoculars. For horizontal pictures, hold the camera as shown in picture 7. For vertical pictures, position the camera with the flash on top as shown in picture 8 to get the best results.
Features 6 The autofocus system As you press the shutter button, your camera sends sound waves - within 10 thousandths of a second - to the central part of the scene (approximate area circled in white, see illustration). The sound waves are used to measure the distance to the person or object (in the central part of the scene) that is closest to the camera.
Features 7 The viewfinder displays When you have a film pack in the camera and press the shutter button halfway, a display appears in the viewfinder to help you take the best possible picture. When you see a number in the viewfinder, it tells you the distance to your subject (in feet or meters). This number will help you follow the distance recommendations throughout this book. The good picture symbol When you see a green “good picture” symbol, the conditions are right for taking a good picture.
8 Features The programmed flash (pictures 10, 11) Every time you take a picture, indoors or outdoors, your camera blends light from the scene with just enough flash to provide the right lighting for the best possible picture. In the sample outdoor scene, photographed without flash (picture 10), bright sunlight has created harsh facial shadows. Your camera blends sunlight with just the right amount of flash to soften shadows and reveal facial details (picture 11).
Features 9 Flash range Indoors: Your subject should be 2 to 15 feet (0.6m to 4.6m) from the camera. Outdoors: Your subject should be at least 2 feet (0.6m) away. The exposure control Use the picture control when you want to retake a picture to make it lighter or darker. When retaking a picture to make it lighter: Slide the control all the way up (a). a lighten When retaking a picture to make it darker: Slide the control all the way down (b). Any partial adjustments will not affect your exposure.
10 Features Backgrounds too dark? (pictures 12, 13) If the background of a flash picture is too dark but your subject is well illuminated (picture 12), the background is too far away. Moving the control to the lighten setting will not correct this problem, so be sure the exposure control is in the normal position. Retake the picture, placing your subject near a background and keeping both within the 2 to 15 foot (0.6m to 4.6m) flash range (picture 13).
Features 11 The self-timer The self-timer lets you get into your picture. To use this feature, place the camera on a tripod or other steady support. If you attach the camera to a table tripod, be sure the camera is positioned over one of the tripod’s legs for proper support. Frame your picture in the viewfinder and press the shutter button halfway to be sure you get the green “good picture” symbol. Then release the shutter button. a Slide the self-timer switch all the way down (a).
12 Features Photographing through glass To avoid focusing on the glass and getting a flash reflection, turn off the autofocus and flash systems by sliding both switches down, as shown (a, b). When you turn off the autofocus system, the lens sets for distant scenes (15 feet (4.6m) to infinity), requiring the picture to be taken in a special way: • Be sure the scene is at least 15 feet (4.6m) from the a b camera and in daylight.
Guide to better pictures 13 Lens care It is important to avoid touching the lens. To remove dust or fingerprints, breathe on the lens and wipe it gently with a clean, soft facial tissue. Do not use silicone-treated eyeglass tissues. Picture care The development process takes place inside the film; therefore, developing Spectra pictures can be stacked. During the first 60 seconds of development, handle the picture gently. Fanning or bending the picture will disturb the development process.
14 Guide to better pictures For information and help If you are unable to get good pictures, review this instruction book. Picture problems are often due to incorrect use of the camera. lf you need further help, and before you return your camera for repair, please see your dealer or contact the nearest Polaroid office. If you write, please explain the nature of the problem and, if possible, enclose sample pictures. Include your return address. U.S.A.
Guide to better pictures 15 Warranty U.S.A.: Full five-year Mexico: Full five-year If your camera proves to be defective within the warranty period, we will, without charge, either repair it or at our option replace it with a fully reconditioned camera. The warranty period begins from the original date of purchase. To verify the warranty period, you should keep the sales slip or other proof of the purchase date.
16 Guide to better pictures Blurry picture Cause • When subject is not cen- tered in the picture, the sound waves pass by the subject and measure the distance to the background. This causes the subject to be unsharp because the lens focuses on the background. • Object in foreground pre- vented sound waves from measuring correctly. Lens focuses on object, causing unclear and possibly dark subject. • When picture is taken in low light (dusk, shade, etc.) shutter can stay open for as long as 2.
Guide to better pictures 17 Repeated spots or bar pattern Cause Solution • Developer rollers inside the • Open film door in indirect Damaged picture film door need to be cleaned. light (do not remove film). While turning rollers, clean them with a lint-free cloth dampened with water. Cause Solution • Picture was shaken back and forth or bent shortly after it ejected from the camera. • Picture was left in the exit slot, and camera was set down on a table or other surface.
18 Guide to better pictures Subject too dark Cause • Camera’s photocell mea- sured the bright window light, causing the subject to be too dark. • When a bright source of Background too dark Solution • Reposition subject away from the bright background. • Move the source of light to light (lamplight, candlelight, etc.) is in the central part of the scene and in front of the subject, the camera’s photocell will measure the bright light, causing the subject to be too dark.
Guide to better pictures 19 Picture too blue or too red/yellow Cause Solution • Pictures taken at temper- • In cold weather, keep cam- atures below 55°F (13°C) can have a blue tint. era and film as warm as possible. Immediately place developing picture in a warm pocket for at least a minute, being careful not to bend it. • Pictures taken at temper- atures above 95°F (35°C) can have a red or yellow tint.
20 Guide to better pictures Picture-taking tips (pictures 14, 17) Color Vibrant, bold colors are vividly reproduced on Spectra film (picture 14). Look for color when framing the scene in the viewfinder. Colorful props such as toys or flowers can add interest to the scene. Distance You can take the most pleasing pictures of people when they are 3 to 5 feet (0.9m to 1.5m) from the camera (picture 15). Backgrounds become less distracting and attention focuses on your subjects.
Guide to better pictures 21 Camera, film specifications Aperture/shutter system specifications Apertures: from f/10 to f/45. Shutter speeds: from 1/245 to 2.8 seconds. Camera body size Length: 6.82 inches (17.3cm) Width: 5.46 inches (13.87cm) Height: 3.07 inches (7.78cm) Camera weight 1 lb. 12 1/2 oz. (.8kg approx.), without a film pack. Film advance Automatic film advance; motorized picture ejection. Film size Outer border: 4 x 4.06 inches (10.1 x 10.3cm) Image area: 3.60 x 2.90 inches (9.1 x 7.
22 Guide to better pictures
“Polaroid “ and/y “Spectra”® Printed in Great Britain/Imreso en Gran Bretaña OPN7249A 11/94 English/Español
