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How Polaroid works. How does a Polaroid camera work? And are modern analogues similar to it? Maintaining the Developer Rollers

What is the operating principle of a Polaroid camera? and got the best answer

Answer from Michael Master[guru]
roughly - diffusion is used there. We get negative image, which diffuses onto the “positive” layer. In polaroids with separate negative and positive, everything is quite simple 🙂 despite the apparent simplicity of the honeymoon, it is not yet possible to repeat it 🙁 but I really want to shoot on a Polaroid 8x10", or better yet 40x50 cm :)

Reply from 2 answers[guru]

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: what is the operating principle of a Polaroid camera?

Reply from OriVanych from Podunk[guru]
The photographic material intended to take the picture consists of 17 layers. The two outer layers are protective. The layer facing the lens is transparent when exposed. This is followed by a neutralizing layer; layer that forms the image; silver halide layers sensitive to blue, green, red light; layers of color developer; auxiliary and intermediate layers. This multilayer material is attached to a capsule containing a viscous, concentrated alkaline solution containing titanium dioxide. At the end of exposure, the electric motor pulls the photographic material between the rollers. The capsule is crushed and the solution wets all layers. When exposed in photosensitive layers, a latent photographic image is formed. In coloring layers, the hidden image becomes visible. The ability to process photographic material in light is achieved by using a special outer layer, transparent in its original state. During exposure, the transparent layer transmits rays and forms an image. At the end of exposure, immediately after wetting the layer with a solution with a high concentration of hydrogen ions, it becomes opaque. After treatment is completed, when the concentration of hydrogen ions decreases, the layer regains its transparency.

They say that over the 50 years of Polaroid's existence, about five billion snapshots were taken with these cameras. Each of them depicts small stories from life ordinary people from different points of the world. Including from Russia. Polaroid, which appeared in our country in the late 80s and early 90s of the 20th century, seemed like a real miracle of engineering. How did this unusual device work? Why were Polaroids so popular? About this and much more from the history of the famous camera - in the material "RG".

Miracle of American technology

The first thing that undoubtedly attracted you about the camera was its design. First-class specialists were involved in its development. At that time, such appearance was perceived as something from a science fiction book, something akin to the technology of the future. And although compared to modern devices, the Polaroid looks bulky and clunky, retro lovers still have warm feelings about it.

Ease of use is the main advantage of Polaroid. At the bottom of the camera body there was a hinged lid for loading a cassette. After closing the lid, the electric drive was automatically turned on, and through the gap in the lid, the cassette's protection against light was removed. The algorithm is as follows: you take the cassette, open the protective cover of the device (it is also called the “muzzle”), insert the cassette with the protective cardboard facing up, snap the cover, press the button and that’s it - the camera is ready for use. No fuss with refilling the film. In addition, there is no need to configure and select parameters for lighting.

Polaroid has a single-stage photography system using the principle of diffuse transfer to directly reproduce on a photosensitive surface the image recorded on the camera lens. In other words, the photosensitive surface simultaneously acts as both a film and a photograph.

The cassette is designed to take 8-10 color photographs with a frame size of 78 by 79 millimeters. The photographs do not require laboratory processing: development began immediately after exposure in the camera and ended in the light, a few minutes after removing the photograph from the camera. The Polaroid photograph appeared as a color positive image between thin flexible plastic sheets, enclosed in a thin cardboard frame.

Founder of Polaroid and inventor of the miracle of instant photography, Dr. Edwin Land of Connecticut originally equipped his device with black and white film. In the following years he worked on improving the camera, and in 1963 color film appeared.

It was these cameras that were common in the USSR. It was color photography against the backdrop of the dominance of black and white photographs and the notorious sepia from photo salons that helped Polaroid gain popularity among Soviet and Russian citizens.

How Edwin Land invented the Polaroid

Polaroid Corporation was born in pre-war 1937. Edwin Land's team developed military optics: night vision devices, periscopes, binoculars. In addition, Land received a multimillion-dollar government order to develop a control system for infrared homing projectiles.

According to legend, Edwin Land was forced to develop a unique camera by chance and... his own daughter. One day, the inventor, while on vacation, took a photograph of his daughter, after which he was subjected to “interrogation with passion”: the girl asked why she couldn’t immediately get the picture. The child rejected all attempts by the father-inventor to explain the complexity of the process of obtaining photos as unconvincing. The idea fell on fertile ground, and Land began to think about how to make the child’s dream come true. It took the scientist no more than an hour to develop the concept of instant printing, and three years to create the camera itself.

Initially, 60 cameras were produced. They hit the shelves of a Boston supermarket before Christmas 1949. Polaroid marketers expected that cameras and film might remain in warehouses: the product was new to customers, and it was difficult to analyze how high the demand for it would be. However, already on the very first day of sales, both the cameras and all the film were swept off the shelves. In 1949, Land sold $9 million worth of Polaroids.

The cartridge is a delicate matter

Polaroid photographic material consists of several layers: a protective layer, a sensitive layer, a developer layer - more than ten in total. When the photographer presses the shutter button, the card is exposed and pulled through a roller mechanism, where it is exposed to an alkaline solution, which starts the development process. The development ends already in the light. In this case, the entire process takes no more than one and a half minutes.

The inventor came to this decision through trial and error and wrote in his memoirs: “When inventing something, it is important not to be afraid to fail. Scientists make great discoveries only because they put forward hypotheses and conduct experiments. Failure follows failure, but they do not retreat until they get the results they want."

Fans of retro technology need to remember that a Polaroid photograph is unique and cannot be remade. There are several features due to the cassette technology itself that need to be taken into account.

If the photo turns out yellow, this means that the frame was overexposed, and there are several reasons for this. possible reasons. The photo was not taken into darkness: it is important to remember that photographs are very sensitive to light when they first come out of the camera. You need to immediately put them in the dark for 2-3 minutes (at least in your pocket or bag). The photograph can be developed for about another day until it reaches its final state. Yellowness can appear if you shoot in very bright light: blinding sun on snow, for example.

If the photo turns out dark, it means there is not enough natural light to take a bright photo. Since the first Polaroids were not equipped with a flash, there was only one way out: shoot in a well-lit room. In this case, you should not come close to the subject: the frame may turn out blurry.

A very common mistake is a blurring effect on part of the image, similar to a smudge. Fans of retro photography say that the problem of “leaking” film is more common with modern cassettes. "There may be from 2 to 5 blurry frames in the tape. Or there may be all of them. This is normal. This is the whole point of Polaroid. Blurs can be both above and below. Try to place faces, objects that you want to photograph, closer to the center frame,” amateur photographers advise.

By the way, when the picture comes out of the camera, you should not touch it until it appears completely: otherwise you can affect the distribution of the emulsion and increase the blur effect.

It happens that stripes appear in a photograph. As a rule, they partially or even completely disappear within a day, after the film has been developed.

A couple more tips for those who decide to take out their Polaroid from the mezzanine to make fantastic instant photographs in retro style. Experts strongly recommend cleaning the frame rollers after each tape. It is recommended to store cartridges in the refrigerator and never expose them to direct sunlight.

Popularity and decline

Amateur photographers in the Soviet Union have always been a special caste. In order to comprehend the intricate science of photography, it was first necessary to obtain scarce materials - the camera itself, film, developer and fixer. The complexity of the technology was such that a random person could not engage in photography - this was learned, in order to obtain high-quality photographs, certain conditions were required, the ability to handle capricious photographic film, the ability to cut photographic paper, choose the right proportions and dilute chemicals. A whole mystery! If an amateur photographer lived in the yard, happy children, and even adults, acquired a couple of photographs, which were then stored in family archives for years. There were also photo studios in the cities, where elegant families came to capture their faces for posterity. In the outback there was no such thing... And against the backdrop of the elitism of photography, Polaroid appeared, affordable for many (partly because it was produced in local factories under license from an American company) and did not require special skills in handling. Click the shutter and the photo is ready! It seemed like a miracle.

Unfortunately, despite the very affordable price of the camera itself, the price of the cassettes was steep. Two dozen of them were comparable to the cost of Polaroid itself. Moreover, the cassettes were disposable. The quality of the images left much to be desired. Despite the apparent advantage of being able to instantly get a finished photograph, the size of the image negated the chances of taking, say, a group photo in which faces could be seen without a magnifying glass. The snapshot could not be corrected, re-shot or edited, which not everyone liked either.

The dimensions of the device itself were rather large, which created additional convenience for users. While other brands took the path of reducing technology, Polaroid remained a bulky box due to the fact that it contained a cassette with developer.

Another drawback of Polaroid cards became apparent over time: it turned out that the pictures were short-lived and after a few years began to become cloudy and fade in the sun.

Lady Gaga to help you

However, Polaroid does not give up. Despite the declared bankruptcy, the company seriously set about reviving interest in instant photography. In 2010, the company took an unexpected step and hired the controversial singer Lady Gaga as creative director. In January 2011, the first brainchild of this strange union was presented to the public - the new Polaroid lineup.

This so-called hello from the past looks almost like a classic Polaroid, except that the body has become much more compact, but in fact the new product on its network is a digital camera with a built-in printer. “Under the Polaroid brand, in addition to the Z340E camera, the Polaroid GL10 mobile printer is currently being produced, which connects to any smartphone, camera or computer via USB or Bluetooth. And two more cameras: a small compact Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Digital Camera (the same shape as like regular digital point-and-shoot cameras) and Polaroid 300 Classic Instant Camera (the most inexpensive of this line, in a plastic color case),” reports the Zoom.cnews portal.

Probably every person who was born in the second half of the 20th century remembers Polaroid cameras. For decades, these devices have been extremely popular abroad, and in the 80s and 90s they won the hearts of thousands of domestic consumers. The success of such photographic equipment is explained by many reasons: quite affordable price, convenient operation, high quality photographs. But, undoubtedly, the main trump card of all Polaroid models was that the photographs did not need to be developed separately. The picture appeared on its own after a certain period of time.

As the years passed, new devices appeared on the market. In the 21st century, digital cameras became very popular, allowing you to store photos in electronic form. They began to equip themselves with their own cameras mobile phones, and the quality of the modules is constantly growing. But despite this, Polaroids, considered essentially a relic of the past, are still successfully sold on the market. A large number of people continue to buy them. Some people buy Polaroid to experience a sense of nostalgia for a time when every frame had to be treasured. For some, such cameras are simply an exotic curiosity or a throwback from the last century. And some even use these devices for professional purposes (creating photographic landscapes or unusual portraits). Although Polaroids, for the most part, are designed quite simply, there are still some nuances. Knowing these nuances will allow a person to buy exactly the camera model that can satisfy his needs. This is exactly what we will talk about in this review. We will look at the most popular models of Polaroid cameras with instant printing, the features of their choice, specifics, and find out what, in principle, you should pay attention to when purchasing.

Classic Polaroid Camera Models

It’s worth saying right away that those device models that will be mentioned below are no longer produced by Polaroid. However, they can be found in the market. You should immediately prepare for the fact that the price of classic Polaroids will not be inferior to the cost of new models (and sometimes even exceed them in price). This is quite justified, because some classic cars are also more expensive than modern sports cars. There may be a surcharge for the age of the device. In addition, do not forget about the condition of the camera.

Polaroid cameras from the Land series

These cameras are the very first creations of Polaroid. They were mass produced in the 1960s and 1970s. Such devices had a special technology that distinguished them from subsequent models. In more advanced cameras, the photographs themselves came out one after another. Here, each picture must be taken out manually. The development process begins only after removal. It is extremely important to correctly calculate the time the image remains in the camera. If you overexpose the photo, it will turn out too dark, and if you underexpose it, it will turn out to be too light. Typically, such cameras come with instructions that explain in detail how proper development occurs. Among the main technical characteristics The following points can be highlighted:

For operation, the device uses Fujifilm FP-100C or FP-3000B films. These films are still produced today, so they can be found without problems.
Developing a photo can take different times - from 10 seconds to 3 minutes. The duration of the appearance of the picture depends on the complexity of the photograph itself.
Models from the Land series allow the owner to create unusual photos - a person can take several frames in one picture. This will create a multiple exposure. Creating a multiple exposure is relatively simple: you need to take 2-3 photographs, and only then take out the future photograph.
Despite the fact that this is the first experience of Polaroid engineers, their creation is capable of conveying colors well. The final picture is quite rich. In addition, externally it looks quite voluminous.

Since the device has such an unusual structure, it will take some time to get used to it. Only after you have fully mastered all its capabilities will you take truly beautiful photos.

Polaroid cameras from the SX-70 series

These are more advanced models that were actively produced in the 70s and 80s. Today, film for such devices is produced by the Dutch company Impossible Project. An interesting fact is that the Dutch manufacturer did not buy Polaroid technology. It was recreated by Dutch craftsmen on their own. Since Impossible Project is a young company operating without consultation from the original brand, the films produced have their flaws. But we will look at them below.

So, Polaroid instant cameras of the SX-70 series have the following features:

Models run on Impossible SX-70 films (there are options for color and black and white printing).
Such cameras are equipped with high-quality glass optics, allowing you to take macro photography from a distance of 30–50 cm. There are special buttons for manually adjusting the model. As in the previous case, you will need to spend some time to master all the capabilities of the device. After this, you will be able to take voluminous and detailed photos.
Cameras in this series may differ from each other. For example, some may have an auto-focus feature while others may not. Often, members of the SX-70 family are equipped with a built-in flash.
Color rendition is one of the main disadvantages of the SX-70 series (although it depends on everyone). The fact is that the pictures will not have high color saturation. For those who want modern quality, this camera is not suitable. But fans of filming in retro style will be delighted with it.
The development time is precisely the flaw that is associated with the work of the Impossible Project. Either a lack of experience, or an inaccurate recreation of the technology has led to the fact that it takes 7 minutes for a picture to appear on black and white photos, and half an hour on color ones.

Polaroid 600 series cameras

At one time, these models were the most popular among domestic consumers. Almost every family in the 90s had such a camera. Let's look at its key features:

For work, Impossible 600 film is used (there are also options for black and white and color shooting).
One of the main advantages of the 600 Polaroids is the ease of setup. On cameras, you can adjust the brightness of the future photo, as well as activate portrait mode. Because they are so easy to use, these models are an ideal option for beginners who love momentography.
Polaroids of the 600 series make photographs quite three-dimensional. Color rendition is not ideal. You don’t need to expect high saturation, but the clarity of the picture will be more than acceptable.
The film used has high light sensitivity, so it is best to take photos in moderate ambient lighting. It is highly not recommended to shoot directly in front of the sun (even in the evening during sunset). Otherwise, the picture will turn out too light. In addition, there may be an oversaturation of yellow or red tones.
The described cameras are equipped with a flash. Thanks to it, you can take memorable photos at night (even when complete absence external light).
The duration of manifestation is the same as that of the previous series. Black and white pictures appear in 7 minutes; Coloreds need half an hour.
Models of the 600 series can have two design options. In one case, the camera can be folded out, in another - the camera will be a monoblock.

Large format Polaroid cameras

These devices are also popular representatives of the 90s. Wide-format models include 2 categories of cameras: Image and Spectra. They are characterized by the following features:

For work, color or black and white Impossible Image/Spectra film is used.
Both categories of cameras in this class are equipped with a wide-angle lens. This lens allows you to cover a significant area (about 25% more than the 600 Polaroids). As a result, the device produces photos of considerable size (10x12 cm).
The development time is standard for films from Impossible Project: 7 minutes (black and white photographs) or 30 minutes (color).
Functionality is what makes every large format camera unique. So, there are models equipped with only one function (for example, decreasing or increasing brightness). There are devices that allow you to change the brightness, turn the flash on and off, set a timer for shooting, activate the automatic focus function, and so on. In addition to operational capabilities, Image and Spectra devices can differ greatly in design. Some models are even equipped with a nice bonus in the form of a digital display.

Such devices can be recommended to experienced fans of momentography. With their help, you will be able to create pictures that will not be much inferior in quality to many digital analogues.

Modern Polaroid models

So we got to the latest creations of the famous American company. Of course, the new cameras are different from the classic devices described above. But nevertheless, they retained most of the qualities for which people love Polaroid cameras.

Polaroid Pic 300

This model is perfect for everyday photography, for creating memorable photos during hikes, parties or when visiting some significant events. The Pic 300 cameras are compact in size and have a nice rounded shape. The ergonomics of such devices is at a high level. The Pic 300 fits easily in your hand, making it easy to carry for short distances without a case or lanyard.

A Polaroid camera with instant printing takes small photos (8.6x5.4 cm - the size of the entire card; 6.2x4.6 cm - the size of the image itself), but their quality compensates for this minus. The pictures come out clear. Color rendition is almost perfect. An automatic flash is provided for shooting in the dark. You can choose one of 4 shooting modes. The device operates using 4 AA batteries. The potential owner has 4 color options to choose from: black, red, blue or purple.

To take pictures you need to buy special cassettes. Each cassette allows you to take 10 photos. As a rule, they are sold in pairs in one package, so that a person immediately has a supply of 20 photographs.

Polaroid Z340 and Z2300 cameras

These models will be considered together, since they have one thing in common: important aspect- They are both the first digital cameras to support instant printing. In other words, the picture will not appear directly in front of the owner’s eyes. Everything will happen like this:

the user takes a photo;
processes the image (for this purpose, these cameras are equipped with displays and auxiliary functions);
sets the number of copies to print;
activates printing.

That is, the user will receive a ready-made image (as when printing from a computer). The entire process of creating a photo takes just over a minute (it takes 45 seconds to print directly). Such devices also use film: M340 grade for Polaroid Z340 and M230 grade for Z2300 cameras.

The sizes of the photo cards are quite compact. So, the Z340 produces a photo of 7.6x10.2 cm, and the Z2300 - 5.4x7.6 cm. In both cases, the pictures will be rich and clear.

A wide range of functions is another point that unites the cameras in question. In addition to the basic features (for example, brightness adjustment), the Z340 and Z2300 can support applying multiple filters to a picture, creating a frame around the image, and so on.

Features of choosing a Polaroid camera?

So, we have taken a detailed look at the classic and modern versions of Polaroid branded cameras that can be found on the market. In many ways, the purchase of a particular device will depend on your preferences and financial capabilities. But to make sure you don’t spend your money in vain, we recommend relying on the following tips:

Decide on the purpose of future use. Knowing what you need a camera for, you will choose the most suitable model for yourself. If you want to experience a feeling of nostalgia, you can take any camera from the old series. If you need high-quality photos in a retro style, pay attention to cameras from the SX-70 series. For professional needs, it is better to give preference to modern models.
Evaluate your skills wisely. If you are completely unfamiliar with how Polaroids work, the 600 series will be just right for you. More experienced users can focus on multifunctional models.
Always check the external condition of the cameras. There should be no serious damage to the body (cracks, dents). If the camera is equipped with a display, it must be checked for dead pixels. But the closest attention must be paid to the lens. Immediately refuse to purchase if this item has scratches or other physical defects.

Since today the lion's share of serious purchases is made via the Internet, check the functionality and general condition camera is not possible. Therefore, it is necessary to select stores with the safest conditions for the buyer (there is the possibility of cash on delivery, return or exchange of goods is provided).

Cost of Polaroid cameras

The price of Polaroid cameras in Russia starts from 2,990 rubles. Mid-price models cost around 5–10 thousand. For the most functional devices (both modern and classic) you will have to pay 16–17 thousand rubles.

Well, now we have figured out the features of choosing Polaroid cameras with instant printing. As you can see, this process is not very complicated. The main thing is to know why you need such a device. All other points (design, set of functions, dimensions, color) depend solely on your personal desires and financial capabilities.

Controlling light to reduce glare has been a long-time dream of Dr. Edwin Land.
It came true in 1929, when the founder of the Polaroid Corporation was the first in the world to invent polarizing lenses for sunglasses.

Over 90% of glasses sold on the market today do not have polarizing filters.

Those that do do not always perform as well as Polaroid lenses. Working on the principle of a polarizing sheet, special vertical sun lenses Polaroid completely eliminates glare. Polarizing filters consist of long parallel fibers that block light traveling in a plane perpendicular to the fibers (i.e., horizontal "glare waves"), allowing only useful vertical waves to pass through. light waves. Polarizing sun lenses selectively absorb light waves moving in all directions, with the exception of vertical ones.

The complex 7-layer design of Polaroid lenses is built around one central element: a polarizing light filter. Constructed from quality cast bityrate, the lens material is laminated to optical standards to ensure uniform thickness, clarity and impact resistance. This S13 polarizing material is made of 7 functional elements carefully connected together. Ultraviolet light absorbers are laminated to both sides of the filter to cut out harmful ultraviolet rays up to 400 nanometers. Both sides of the UV light absorbers have buffer elements laminated to them, making the lens material lightweight and flexible - yet incredibly durable.

A hard coating is attached to both sides of the surface of the S13 material. It gives the material ten times the strength of many conventional plastics.

Photos demonstrating the benefits of polarized glasses:
this is without glasses on a rainy day.
and this is with glasses.
without glasses on a bright sunny day.
wearing glasses with a polarizer.

Regarding blinding by headlights from oncoming cars :

Driving 24-hour glasses are glasses with light brown, orange or yellow lenses, only they can be used day and night. Polarized dark brown and green lenses are only suitable for daytime driving.
Non-polarized glasses with dark brown or black lenses are also not suitable for daytime driving and can even be dangerous for the driver.

Glass or plastic?

Firstly,
glass glasses are quite expensive - more than $30.
Secondly,
if you drop them on a stone, you lose them. :((

The image quality through high-quality plastic and glass is almost the same. Glass is also heavier. Plastic has one significant drawback - glasses are very scratched, so you need to wear them only in a special soft case, otherwise after a season it will become impossible to fish with them.

Glasses are:

made of unknown plastic;
made of plastic that some well-known company (for example Polaroid) has tested and which meets the ANSI Z.87.1 standard for “optical clarity”;
made of ordinary polycarbonate, which is superior to just plastic in impact-break strength, polarization efficiency, resistant to scratching, and optical distortion;
made of glass, which is superior to all plastics and polycarbonates in all respects except resistance to impact, drop and weight;
CR-39 is a special optically correct material (inferior to glass in scratch resistance and the same in impact strength);
from various materials (not glass) patented by well-known optical (not design) companies such as SR-91 Kaenon, XVZ, etc.

How to check the polarization of glasses?

Option one:

Take two supposed polarized glasses and match them lens to lens. Then turn some glasses 90 degrees relative to the others and look at the light (the rotation axis passes through the centers of the lenses). If the glasses are polarized, then the clearance in the lenses will become dark, but if the glasses are simple, then nothing will change.

Option two:

Take one supposed polarized glasses, look at any LCD monitor (you can use a cell phone display or the monitor of any payment terminal) and rotate the glasses 90 degrees relative to the monitor (display)((the rotation axis passes through the center of the glasses and the center of the LCD monitor)). If the glasses are truly polarized, the image will darken or become completely dark (depending on the degree of polarization). If the glasses are simple, then nothing will change.

Source - Internet.

What is the operating principle of a Polaroid camera? and got the best answer

Answer from Michael Master[guru]
roughly - diffusion is used there. We get a negative image that diffuses onto the “positive” layer. In polaroids with separate negative and positive, everything is quite simple 🙂 despite the apparent simplicity of the honeymoon, it is not yet possible to repeat it 🙁 but I really want to shoot on a Polaroid 8x10", or better yet 40x50 cm :)

Reply from 2 answers[guru]

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: what is the operating principle of a Polaroid camera?