Macro 5/3 SLR–1200
User Guide
4
English
Other features include:
Load the batteries (Macro 5 only)
• Dual-light rangefinder helps you place the
camera at the proper distance from the
subject for correct focus.
The camera requires four AA batteries to
provide power for the ranging lights. Alka-
line batteries (standard or rechargeable) are
recommended; rechargeable NiCad batter-
ies also can be used.
• Date / time module (Macro 5 only) that
allows you to print the date or time on pic-
tures.
The battery compartment is located in the
handgrip; slide the battery door open (2);
the battery holder will pop up. Unsnap the
battery clip (3) and remove the battery
holder (4). Insert the batteries in the orien-
tation shown on the holder (5). Replace
the battery holder, snap on the clip and
close door.
• Can be hand-held or used on a tripod or
copystand.
• Grid screen in viewfinder (Macro 5 only)
for consistent framing of subjects
The numbers throughout the text refer to
the illustrations at the end of the book.
CAUTION (MACRO 5 ONLY): THIS CAM-
ERA IS BATTERY POWERED. TO AVOID
ELECTRICAL SHOCK, CAMERA SHOULD
NOT BE EXPOSED TO OR IMMERSED IN
WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS, DISASSEM-
BLED, OR OPERATED IF DROPPED OR
DAMAGED. FOR REPAIR INFORMATION,
CONTACT NEAREST SERVICE CENTER.
Important: Remove the batteries and store
them separately if the camera will not be
used for an extended period of time. Use
of the camera in extreme heat or cold will
shorten battery life.
See Battery cautions.
Load the film
The camera uses Polaroid HighDefinition
instant self-developing color films, 1200
Film with 12 frames per pack or T990, and
Gridfilm with 10 frames per pack. These
high-speed (ISO640/29() films are bal-
anced for electronic flash and daylight
(5500K), and produce positive color prints.
Camera parts (1 )
a Shutter button
b Right hand grip
c Electronic flash units
d Lens
e Film door release button
f Film door
1 Press the film door release button; the door
drops open (6).
2 Check that the film processing rollers are
clean, before loading the film. Dirt or bits
of dried developer on the rollers can cause
a pattern of repeated spots or bars on pic-
tures. Clean both rollers with a soft, lint-
free cloth, dampened with water if neces-
sary (7). Rotate the rollers as you clean
and inspect them.
g Tripod socket (on bottom of camera)
h Ranging lights
i Magnification selector knob
j Battery compartment (inside hand grip)
(Macro 5 only)
k Left hand grip
l Viewfinder
3 Hold the film pack by the edges, with the
safety cover facing up (8). Slide the pack
all the way into the camera.
m Control panel
English 5
4 Close the film door. The safety cover
f Lighten/Darken controls
ejects from the front of the camera (9).
Each setting adjusts the flash output to
increase or decrease exposure by 1/3 f-
stop. The center light is the nominal set-
ting.
Both 10 and12-frame film
• E = Empty, no pack inserted
• S = Fresh pack inserted - ready to start
• 1 = 1st frame taken
• 2 = 2nd frame taken
etc
g Magnification indicators (Macro 5 only)
Light up to show the selected magnifica-
tion.
h Date / time control and display (Macro 5
only)
• 11= 11th frame taken (appears in red -
no frame emerges if 10-frame pack used)
Allows you to print the date or time on pic-
tures.
To remove an empty film pack
i Film counter
Open the film door, grasp the tab on the
Both 10 and12-frame film
• E = Empty, no pack inserted
• S = Fresh pack inserted - ready to start
• 1 = 1st frame taken
• 2 = 2nd frame taken
etc
end of the pack, and pull the pack out (10).
The control panel (11 )
a Power button
Press to turn on the camera. The flash
units begin charging, and the green indica-
tors light up when the camera is fully
charged for picture-taking.
• 11= 11th frame taken (appears in red -
no frame emerges if 10-frame pack used)
The camera turns off if the power button is
pressed again, or after 30 seconds of inac-
tivity. (Note: The camera can also be
turned on by lightly pressing the shutter
button.)
Set the magnification
Turn the magnification selector knob to the
desired setting (12). The knob clicks into
position at each magnification; the camera
will not function if the knob is between
lens settings.
b Low battery indicator (Macro 5 only)
Yellow light comes on when the batteries
in the handgrip are weak (the ranging lights
also will become dim.)
In addition to the magnification, the selec-
tor shows the camera-to-subject distance
and icons that represent the approximate
area of a subject included in the picture.
c Flash status lights
The red LED blinks while the flash units are
charging; the green lights will come on
when READY.
Focusing and framing the subject
The flash units can be turned on or off
selectively (Macro 5 only).
1 Hold the camera at the approximate dis-
tance from the subject for the selected
magnification. For example, if taking pic-
tures at 1X, hold the camera 10 in. (25cm)
from the subject.
d Standard PC socket for auxiliary flash
(Macro 5 only).
e Reset button (Macro 5 only)
This returns the camera to the nominal
flash and Lighten / Darken settings.
6
English
2 Press the shutter button lightly (13); the
ranging lights go on. The lights stay on as
long as the button is pressed. If you
release the button, the lights go off in
about 15 sec. Press the shutter button
lightly to turn them on again.
• Important: Always hold the camera so the
front panel is parallel to the subject (18).
Holding the camera at an angle (19) may
cause uneven picture sharpness.
• If you wear eye glasses for distant view-
ing, wear them when using the camera for
accurate viewing and focusing.
3 Look over the top of the camera; note the
two ranging lights on the subject (14).
Move the camera nearer or farther from the
subject, until the two lights merge (15).
Lighten/Darken control (1 1f)
The camera is designed to provide the cor-
rect exposure for subjects of average
brightness. With some subjects, you may
want to make the picture lighter or darker
to enhance specific details. Each setting on
the panel indicates an exposure change of
1/3 f-stop, up to 1 full f-stop.
4 The viewfinder shows the area included in
the picture, with the ranging lights in the
center of the picture. Use the grid screen
(Macro 5 only) to ensure consistent fram-
ing.
If you have difficulty seeing the ranging
lights, check that the camera is at the cor-
rect distance from the subject. See also
Troubleshooting.
• Press the light arrow to lighten pictures
(increase the exposure).
• Press the dark arrow to darken pictures
(decrease the exposure).
Take the picture
The camera has a memory and saves your
custom Lighten/Darken setting until you
press the reset button (Macro 5 only) to
return to the nominal setting. If using the
Macro 3, press the opposite arrow until
green light aligns directly over the vertical
line.
Look through the viewfinder, and reframe
the subject as needed.
Use the grid screen to ensure consistent
framing. (Macro 5 only)
Press the shutter button all the way to take
the picture (16).
The picture automatically ejects from the
front of the camera when you release the
shutter button.
Date display module (Macro 5 only)
The date display module (11h) allows you
to print the date or the day / time on pic-
tures (20).
Lay the picture down flat or hold it by its
wide border while it develops. Do not
shake, bend or squeeze the picture, and
never cut pictures or take them apart. See
Caution notice on film box.
Setting the date
1 Press MOD (mode) repeatedly until the
desired date sequence is displayed:
No printing
- -
8
- -
27
8
- -
‘99
‘99
27
Picture tips
Month / day / year
Day / month / year
Year / month / day
• When taking portraits at 0.4X or 0.2X
magnification (Macro 5 only), turn the
camera 90° for a vertical format to include
the entire face (17). You may want to turn
off the lower flash unit for more pleasing
lighting.
27
‘99
8
Day / time (24-hour clock) 27
14:22
2 Press SEL (select) to select the year,
month or day (see blinking digit).
English 7
Lighting techniques (Macro 5 only)
3 Press SET repeatedly (or hold button) until
the desired digit is displayed. Repeat steps
2 and 3 until the desired year, month and
day are all set.
Both built-in flash units can be turned off,
and auxiliary lighting used. The auxiliary
light is connected to the PC socket on the
back of the camera (21). Advanced pho-
tographers may find it useful to experiment
with different lighting arrangements.
4 Press SEL again to lock in the date.
Setting the time
1 Press MOD until the day / time mode is dis-
played. The first set of digits in the display
is the day of the month, followed by the
time in hours and minutes.
• The auxiliary lighting must be electronic
flash - do not use tungsten, halogen or flu-
orescent lights.
• The built-in flash can be combined with
auxiliary lighting.
2 Press SEL and the hours will blink. Press
SET to toggle through the hours. Press
SEL again to lock in the hour. The minutes
will now blink.
• Test exposures may be required to deter-
mine the correct location and settings for
the auxiliary flash unit for correct expo-
sure.
3 Press SET to toggle through the minutes.
Press SEL again to lock in the minutes.
Outdoor use
4 Press SEL again to lock in the time.
The camera is designed primarily for indoor
use; if it must be used outdoors:
Shutting off the date display option
Press MOD until a series of dashes appears
in the display.
• Select an area not subjected to bright sun-
light, which may cause overexposed pic-
tures.
Note: The date module is powered by the
battery in the film pack, or by the batteries
in the handgrip. If there are no batteries or
film in the camera for more than 5 min-
utes, you will need to reset the date / time
after replacing the batteries.
• Shade the subject from direct sunlight. (It
is difficult to see the ranging lights in very
bright light.)
• Use the built-in flash units to ensure con-
sistent exposure
Flash control (11c)
• Optimal performance 71° F (22° C).
The two built-in electronic flash units are
designed to provide even illumination at all
reproduction scales. You can turn off
either flash unit (Macro 5 only) if side light-
ing is needed to show texture or elevation.
The light output from the remaining flash
unit will be increased to produce the cor-
rect exposure.
GridFilm
This film has a grid pattern which is cre-
ated during manufacture. The grid pattern
appears as an overlay on any picture taken
with the film.
The pattern consists of 17 vertical and 13
horizontal lines.
Press the flash control once to turn off the
right flash; press it a second time to turn
off the left flash; press it a third time to
turn off both flash units.
To help you define location on the grid, the
vertical lines are identified by letters across
the top, and the horizontal lines are identi-
fied by numbers along the left border (22).
You can specify the location on the picture
by a letter-number combination.
8
English
Calculating measurement from the grid
pattern
Pictures too light:
The camera may be too close to the sub-
ject for the selected magnification. The
Lighten/Darken control may be set incor-
rectly. Very light subjects may require set-
ting the control toward Darken. There may
be bright ambient light affecting the expo-
sure.
When taking pictures at 1X magnification,
each square of the grid pattern represents
5mm (0.2 in.). The chart below shows the
value represented by each square in pic-
tures taken at each magnification.
Magnification
Grid square value
Pictures too dark:
0.2X (Macro 5 only)
1 in
0.5 in.
0.2 in.
0.1 in.
0.07 in.
25mm
The camera may be too far from the sub-
ject for the selected magnification. The
Lighten/Darken control may be set incor-
rectly. Very dark subjects may require set-
ting the control toward Lighten.
0.4X (Macro 5 only)
13mm
5mm
1X
2X
3X
2.5mm
1.7mm
Subject not sharp:
The camera is at the wrong distance from
the subject. (Pictures also will be incor-
rectly exposed - too light or too dark.)
Troubleshooting
Difficulty focusing:
Portions of picture out of focus, or dis-
torted subject:
The ranging lights may be difficult to see
when using the camera in very bright light,
or when photographing very dark subjects.
If you have difficulty seeing the ranging
lights:
The camera is not parallel to the subject.
Care and Maintenance
• Check that the camera is set for the
desired magnification, and is at the correct
distance from the subject.
Lens care:
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.
• Check that the film is not outdated.
• Move the ranging lights to a lighter area on
the subject.
Temperature:
• Look over the top of the camera, rather
than through the viewfinder.
The camera and film are designed for use
at temperatures of 40-105(F (4-41(C).
Store below 75(F (24(C). Never leave film
or a loaded camera in a hot area (such as
the luggage compartment of a car).
• Check the battery indicator (Macro 5 only);
if necessary replace the batteries in the
handgrip.
Camera does not function:
Caution:
The flash and/or LED ranging lights will not
function if the film pack battery is weak or
dead.
To prevent electric shock, do not remove
camera covers. No user serviceable parts
inside. Refer servicing to the nearest
Polaroid Service Center.
No image in view finder:
The magnification selector knob is
between settings.
English 9
Camera Specifications
Lens focal
Lens to subject
distance
Effective lens
aperture
1
2
3
Magnification
length
Depth of field
0.2X (20% ) (Macro 5)
0.4X (40% ) (Macro 5)
1X (100% )
52 in./132cm
26 in./66cm
9.9 in./25cm
4.8 in./12cm
3.1 in/8cm
221mm
188mm
128mm
85.4mm
64mm
f/20
f/34
f/47
f/67
f/100
8.8 in./22cm
3.8 in./10cm
0.86 in/2.2cm
0.31 in./0.8cm
0.20 in./0.5cm
2X (200% )
3X (300% )
1
2
If the exact magnification must be documented, include a scale in the picture (23). The scale
and the subject must be at the same distance from the camera.
The camera contains separate lenses for the magnification. Each lens has the proper focal
length for minimum perspective distortion and more working space between the camera and
subject, and a small lens aperture for better depth of field.
3
The depth of field, or distance zone within which the subject will be in sharp focus, is limited in
close-up photography. The zone will extend about half its distance in front of, and half behind,
the point of sharpest focus.
Note: The camera has a fixed shutter speed of 1/50 sec.
EMC statement
Limited Warranty
Polaroid Corporation certifies that this
product conforms to the following stan-
dards:
Your Macro 5/3 camera has been thor-
oughly tested and inspected before ship-
ment. All parts are guaranteed against
defects in materials and workmanship for
one full year from the date of original pur-
chase. During this period, any such defects
will be remedied by Polaroid Corporation
without charge, except for transportation
costs. The warranty excludes damage
resulting from normal wear, mishandling or
accident, and a charge will be made for
such repairs. The warranty does not
include the batteries, or damage caused by
leaking batteries.
Safety: Low Voltage Directive 7 3/2 3/EEC
EMC: EN55 02 2, Class B; EN50 082 -1 ;
IEC 80 1-2 , 80 1-3
Free technical assistance
If you need assistance or additional infor-
mation please contact a Polaroid dealer, or
office nearest you. For assistance within
the U.S.A., call us toll free at 1-800-343-
5000, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern
time). Or, write to the Customer Care Cen-
ter, Polaroid Corporation, 201 Burlington
Road, Bedford, MA, 01730-1406.
U.S.A.: This warranty excludes conse-
quential damages in jurisdictions where
permissible.
Outside U.S.A.: This warranty does not
affect your statutory rights.
If outside the U.S.A., contact the nearest
Polaroid Office. (See list on back page.)
10 English
Service
FCC Notice (U.S.A. only)
Before returning a camera for service, con-
tact the Polaroid Customer Care Center or
the nearest Polaroid Office for shipping and
service information. The camera should be
packed in its original shipping carton or
other sturdy container, and shipped, pre-
paid and insured, to the nearest Polaroid
Office.
Warning: Changes or modifications to this
unit not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found
to comply with the limits for a Class B digi-
tal device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference
to radio or television reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment
off and on, the user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:
Battery Cautions (Macro 5 only)
• The batteries used in this device may
present a risk of one or more of the follow-
ing occurrences: Release of toxic materi-
als, release of flammable vapors, rise in
surface temperature. Do not recharge,
incinerate or mutilate.
• Replace batteries with the same type. Use
of another battery type may present a risk
of fire or explosion
• Dispose of used batteries promptly. Keep
away from children. Do not disassemble
and do not dispose of in fire. The cell may
explode. Check with local codes for possi-
ble special disposal instructions.
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equip-
ment and receiver.
• When replacing batteries, replace all at the
same time. Mixing fresh and discharged
batteries could increase internal cell pres-
sure and rupture the discharged batteries.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/
TV technician for help.
Radio and television interference
FCC requirements
EMI Notice (Canada)
This digital apparatus does not exceed the
Class B limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus set out in the Radio
Interference Regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions:
1 This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence.
2 This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
(Macro 3)
a
1
i
b
c
k
l
d
3
O
R
C
A
M
0
0
2
1
-
R
L
S
e
f
10
m
i
g
h
(Macro 5)
a
1
1
j
b
c
k
l
d
5
O
R
C
A
M
0
0
2
1
-
R
L
S
e
f
10
m
g
h
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
11
11
9
10
(Macro 3)
POWER
10
a
c
f
I
(Macro 5)
POWER
RESET
10
3
12
14
13
11
20
29
38
47
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
1
2
3
4
POWER
RESET
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
7
8
20
6
7
8
9
1
|