How do you work a Very old polaroid land camera?

Question

Help?

It's an Automatic 240 land camera.

Made in 1967. yeah.

I have one but I really don't know how to work it.

Thanks. :)

Answer 1

First off, do you have the battery for it?  Unlike the Polaroid cameras most people are familiar with, this camera requires a separate battery.  Here's a link to the battery it uses:

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.ph...

Now, you're also going to need film.  I'm sure there are going to be a number of people saying that there's no film available, so I'll throw in some links to the film:

Here's the Polaroid made film for color.  The stuff is pretty good all in all - you get 20 shots.

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.ph...

Here are the Fuji made films - I actually tend to like the Fuji films better - they have better color saturation or contrast (for the B&W)

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.ph...

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.ph...

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.ph...

So, operating the camera is pretty simple.  Load the camera, sliding the film pack into the camera.  Pull out the black cover paper.  Now you're ready for taking the picture.

Set the camera for the type of film you're using.  Use 75 for 80 ISO and 100 ISO, and 3000 for 3000 ISO.  

First focus the camera - there will be a slider attached to the bellows near where you would hold the camera.  I think (if memory serves me right) the focusing aid is actually a prism - line up the images in the center of the square.  It could use a face focusing aid - I generally just eyeball the distance if I have to with that.

When the camera's in focus, push down the small lever by the lens - this prepares the shutter.  It's hard to miss, this shutter lever - it's tip is surrounded by a circle of white plastic.

Compose your picture through the viewfinder and push the red button.  Be mindful of the fact that you'll likely need to adjust how you compose because you're looking above the lens, not through it.  It takes a little getting used to, but it's not too bad.  When you push the red button, you'll hear the shutter trip.

Pull the paper leader with the exposure number on it, this will send the picture's leader through the rollers.  Pull the paper smoothly out of the camera. During this part, the film is getting developed.  Count how long it takes the film to develop (I can't give you exact numbers - it depends on temperature and type of film).  Peel apart the film and you're set.

Just a little note.  For the first minute or two, the films emulsion is going to be rather sticky and fragile.  Once it dries, you should be good to go.

Have fun with your Polaroid camera!  I know I love all of mine, and I enjoy the emulsion lifts I can do with them.

Edit:  I hope that wasn't too dense material for ya.  I just read it, and it looked a little longwinded...  If you have any other questions, let me know.  I've played around with plenty of these cameras.