Polaroid 403 Film Camera User Manual


 
Miniportrait 203/403 Camera User Guide
6
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.)
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 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
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.