Polaroid 403, 203 User Manual

MiniPortrait Camera

Models 203/403

User Guide

Model 203

Miniportrait 203/403 Camera User Guide

• Film processing timer on the back of
the film holder.

The numbers throughout the text refer to
the pictures at the back of this User
Guide.

Camera parts (Picture1)

A. Electronic flash unit
B. Polaroid pack film holder Model 73A
C. Shutter button
D. Viewfinder
E. Camera controls:

Introduction

The Polaroid Miniportrait/Studio Express
Cameras are designed to meet a variety of
photo-identification needs. There are two
different camera models. The Model 403
produces four portraits on each sheet of
Polaroid 31/4 x 41/4 in. (8.5 x 10.8 cm)
instant pack film; the Model 203 produces
two portraits on each sheet.

The basic operation is the same for both
models; the Model 403 is featured here.
The Model 203 is shown wherever there
are important differences in operation.

• Portrait combinations: Model 403
produces 4 identical portraits, 2 pairs of
identical portraits or 4 different portraits;
Model 203 produces either 2 identical or
2 different portraits.

Camera on/off switch
Distance selector
Lens aperture selector
Shutter speed selector
Portrait selector
Portrait counter
Socket for remote shutter release
Socket for AC adapter
X (sync) socket

F. Sonar rangefinder transducer
G. Tripod socket (on bottom of camera)
H. Lenses
I. Battery compartment (inside hand grip)
J. Hand grip
K. Flash tilt knob
L. Flash controls (on back of flash unit):

Ready light
Film speed selector

M. Flash sync adapter

Accessories

• Available films: Color prints, black &
white prints or black & white prints with
usable negatives.

• Built-in electronic flash unit; the camera
also can be used with other types of
lighting.

• Sonar rangefinder, to ensure that the
camera is at the correct distance for
sharp focus and correct image size.

Remote Shutter Release (2): 1 m (approx.
39 in.) long; allows the photographer to
move around and work closely with the
subject while taking pictures.
(PID# 612412)

Supplementary Lenses 78 (3): Produce a
smaller subject size, allowing you to include
more than one person in each portrait.
(PID# 600272)

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Miniportrait 203/403 Camera User Guide

Film Holder 73A: This holder is shipped

with the Model 403 camera; additional
holders can be loaded with different film
types for easy interchangeability.
(PID# 612413)

Film Holder 73B: Allows use of a
validation plate. (PID# 612414)

Film Holder 73C: This holder is shipped
with the Model 203 camera; it is identical to
the 73A film holder except for the location
of the timer. (PID# 612415)

Underwriter’s Laboratories, Inc. (U.L.)
requires that the following safety
information be provided.

IMPORTANT
SAFEGUARDS

AS WITH ANY ELECTRICALLY
OPERA TED EQUIPMENT, BASIC SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE
OBSERVED. REMEMBER:

1. FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS.

2. DO NOT LEAVE UNIT UNATTENDED.

3. IF UNIT WILL NOT BE USED FOR
EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME,
REMOVE BATTERIES; IF USING AC
ADAPTER, UNPLUG UNIT FROM
ELECTRICAL OUTLET. GRASP
PLUG, NOT CORD, AND PULL TO
DISCONNECT FROM OUTLET.

4. DO NOT OPERATE UNIT WHICH HAS
BEEN DROPPED OR DAMAGED,
UNTIL IT HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY
AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER.

5. BEFORE ST ORING, ALLOW UNIT TO
COOL COMPLETELY.

6. TO AVOID ELECTRICAL SHOCK
HAZARDS, DO NOT IMMERSE UNIT
IN WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS. DO
NOT OPERATE UNIT NEAR WATER

OR WITH WET HANDS. IF SERVICE OR
REP AIR WORK IS REQUIRED, CONTACT
AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER.
INCORRECT REASSEMBL Y CAN CAUSE
ELECTRIC SHOCK WHEN UNIT IS USED
SUBSEQUENTL Y.

7. CLOSE SUPERVISION IS
NECESSARY WHEN UNIT IS USED
BY OR NEAR CHILDREN.

8. THE USE OF ACCESSORIES OTHER
THAN THOSE RECOMMENDED MAY
CAUSE RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC
SHOCK OR INJURY.

PLEASE KEEP
THESE
INSTRUCTIONS.

Validation Plate (4): For use with the 738

film holder; plate may be custom-printed for
more secure identification pictures.
(PID# 612410)

AC Adapter (5): Enables the camera to
use electrical power, rather than batteries.

Important: The use of other AC adapters
may damage the camera.

for 120-volt supply, PID# 612427 for 220­volt supply, PID# 612698 for 240-volt
supply, PID# 612559 for 100-volt supply)

Auxiliary Camera Sync Cord (6): Allows a
second camera to be synchronized with the
camera. (PID# 612409)

Flash Sync Adapter: The adapter is
shipped with the camera. It is designed to
reverse the polarity of an external flash
unit, to make it compatible with the
camera’s built-in flash. (PID# 613249)

The accessories are available from your
Polaroid Camera Dealer, or contact the
nearest Polaroid Office.

(PID# 612411

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Miniportrait 203/403 Camera User Guide

Load the batteries

The camera uses four 1.5 volt AA batteries,
which provide power for the shutter,
electronic flash unit and sonar rangefinder.
Alkaline batteries are recommended. Do
not use NiCad rechargeable batteries; they
may damage the camera. A set of batteries
is included with the camera.

A fresh set of alkaline batteries should last
for approx. 80 flashes. The flash unit should
recharge in 10-12 sec. with fresh batteries;
when the recharge time reaches 30 sec.,
replace the batteries.

The battery compartment is inside the hand
grip. Open the lid (7) and insert the
batteries in the orientation shown inside the
compartment (8). Then close the lid.

If the camera will not be used for an
extended period of time, remove the

batteries and store them separately, to
prevent damage caused by leaking
batteries.

Note: An AC adapter may be preferred for

high-volume use (see Accessories).

Model 73A film holder (9)

A. Dark slide
B. Door latch
C. Film tab slots
D. Camera mounting brackets
E. Film developer rollers
F. Timer (on back of holder)

Load the film

The holder may be loaded either before or
after it is attached to the camera. If the
holder is not attached to the camera, check
that the dark slide is fully inserted, to
prevent fogging the film.

Polaroid 3% x 4% in. (8.5 x 10.8cm) pack films

Speed (approx.

Film type IS0 equiv.) Description

Type 669/108 80/20

o

This film yields a positive color print. It is balanced

Polacolor ER for use with electronic flash or in average daylight

(5500°K). With its extended tonal range and lower
image contrast, it is ideally suited for portraiture.

Type 668 80/20

o

Similar to Polacolor ER film (above) except that it

Polacolor 2 produces a higher-contrast print.
Type 107 3000/36

o

A very high speed black and white film, which yields a

High-speed positive print.
Type 667 3000/36

o

Same as the above, but prints need not be coated

High-speed after processing.
Type 665 80/20

o

A black and white film which produces a high-quality

Pos/Neg negative, in addition to the positive print.

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Miniportrait 203/403 Camera User Guide

Pull both sides of the latch to open the
door; the door does not open flat. Before
loading the film, check that the developer
rollers are clean (see Clean the developer
rollers).

Always hold the film pack by the edges, not
in the center. Slide the pack in at an angle
(10), then push it down into place. Check
that the white tabs are not caught between
the pack and the holder (11). Close and
latch the door, with the end of the black tab
sticking out.

Pull the black tab straight, all the way out of
the holder (12). A small white tab will
appear.

The holder is now loaded. Attach it to the
camera, if you have not done so already.

No white tab?

To load/change the timer batteries: If the

display or tones fade, or if the timer stops
functioning, the batteries should be
replaced. The timer uses two 1.5 volt
GP-89A (or equivalent) batteries.

Slide the battery cover open (15) and insert
the batteries as shown. Then replace the
cover. Always press the SET and START
buttons simultaneously after replacing the
batteries.

Attach the holder to the camera

Generally the holder is attached so the film
tab slots face down (Model 403), or to the
right (Model 203)

Place the holder against the back of the
camera, making sure that it is properly
seated. Then engage both sliding locks, to
grip the holder firmly (16).

Open the door and, without moving the film
pack, push the white tab out (13). Then
close and latch the door.

The film processing timer

To set the timer (14): Press and hold the

SET button until the correct processing time
is displayed (see the film instructions for
recommended times). The timer will always
return to this setting after a processing
cycle.

To reset the timer to a new time: To reset
it to a longer time than is displayed, simply
press and hold the SET button until the new
time is displayed. To reset it to a shorter
time:

1. Press the SET and START buttons
simultaneously. The preset time is
cancelled and zero is displayed.

2. Press and hold the SET button until
the new time is displayed.

Camera location

Set aside an area for photography, so the
camera, backdrop and subject’s chair need
not be continually rearranged.

Use a tripod

The camera should be mounted on a sturdy
tripod, with a rising center post (17). Orient
the camera so that the tripod’s adjustment
levers will not obstruct the film tabs as they
are pulled out of the camera.

The tripod socket has a removable thread
converter (18); if your tripod has a larger
fastening screw, remove the converter.

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Miniportrait 203/403 Camera User Guide

Seating the subject (19)

A seat should be provided for the subject.
Avoid chairs with high backs, which may
appear in the picture. Adjust the height of
the camera so that the lenses are about
level with the eyes of the seated subject.

Seat the subject close to the background, to
ensure a light background and also the
smallest possible shadow behind him.

The operating distance

The distance from the front of the camera to
the eyes of the subject should be 1.2m
(47 in.). When using the Supplementary
Lenses 78, the correct camera-to-subject
distance is 1.92m (76 in.) (See also
Appendix: Depth of field.)

The electronic flash

The flash unit is designed to provide even
illumination and proper exposure. To turn
on the flash, simply raise the flash head all
the way (22). The flash turns off when the
head is tilted down. The flash reflector
should be pointed directly toward the
subject.

Note: The camera’s shutter and

rangefinder will not work while the
flash is recharging; they will work
only if the flash is of for ready.

The camera also can be used with other
types of lighting (see also Appendix:
Alternative lighting techniques).

The sonar rangefinder

Turn on the camera

Push the switch to “1” to turn on the power
for the camera’s shutter, rangefinder and
flash unit (20).

Set the camera controls

Distance: Set the switch to 1.2 or 1.92m

(20); this sets the rangefinder for the
desired distance.

Film speed: Set the switch to 80 or 3000
(21); this sets the flash for the correct
amount of light.

Lens aperture and shutter speed (20):

Use the guidelines on the back of the flash
unit (21), and set as indicated.

The sonar transducer on the front of the
camera emits sound waves, which bounce
off the subject and return as echos. The
transducer measures the time it takes for
the echo to return, and calculates the
distance from the camera to the subject.

Important: Be sure the sound waves from
the transducer have a clear path to the
subject.

To use the rangefinder, look through the
viewfinder and press the shutter button
halfway. If the camera is at the correct
distance, both lights will be on (23).

If the camera is too close, the left-hand light
will be on; if too far, the right-hand light will
be on.

If the camera is mounted on a tripod, use
the rangefinder only when setting up for the
day’s photography. It is not necessary to
check the distance for every portrait,
although you may want to check
occasionally while shooting.

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