Help! My Polaroid Automatic Land Camera is not working!

Sun, 08/21/2011 - 12:00am : : Anonymous

April-Lea Hutchinson's Polaroid Automatic 420 Land Camera

Blog by Michael Raso

For the last 6 months I’ve been shooting almost exclusively with Polaroid Automatic Land Cameras. I’ve been blogging , pod casting and making videos about this wonderful series of cameras, so I’m not surprised that I’m now getting e-mails about camera problems. I’d like to share an e-mail exchange with you. Perhaps it’ll help you with your Polaroid Automatic Land Camera!

Hi, I just purchased a Polaroid 420 from the FPP Store. It got here fine, looks great, loaded it up with FP-100c and my first shot came out just fine. Every shot I've tried since then has been coming out black - no image - just a black rectangle. My ISO is set right (75), I'm cocking the shutter, I can hear it go ping when I press the shutter release, the film seems to come out from the machine just fine, I'm letting the negative sit while it develops as directed by Fuji, but when I peal, no image. I haven't tried anything film other than the original ten FP-100c that I loaded initially. Any idea what might be happening?

Many thanks for any advice you might be able to give me.

Peter via e-mail

Michael Raso to Peter:

Peter,

Sounds like the camera shutter isn't getting power or you are not keeping your finger on the shutter when exposing your image.

Firstly, lets test the shutter. (Without film in the camera) shoot in an indoor room. Cock and then press the shutter (keeping your finger on the shutter til it opens and then closes). Do you hear the shutter open, then close. Try in various light situations. Dim, dim light will leave the shutter open. If you swing your camera into a light mid-shot, you'll hear the shutter close.

Still no "click - click"? Might be a power problem.

Carefully open the battery compartment, remove and then return the batteries into their compartment making sure the batteries are making a connection.

Repeat step one. When shooting make sure you keep your finger depressed on the shutter til the camera shutter opens then closes. You will hear two clicks when shooting in dim light. (meaning the shutter is operating)

Please let me know your results!

Best,
Michael Raso
Film Photography Podcast

Peter replied back:

Michael,

Doctor, your diagnosis was excellent. User error. I wasn't holding down the shutter release button long enough. I was hitting it and releasing rather than holding it down. Thank you!

Peter

April-Lea Hutchinson's Polaroid Automatic 420 Land Camera FPP Episode Episode 36 - June 1, 2011 features a spotlight on the Polaroid Automatic 420.

Purchase your own Polaroid 420 Camera at the FPP Store!

Comments

Submitted by brian m (not verified) on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 11:11pm.

Another method of checking the shutter on Polaroid Automatic Land Cameras: With no film in the camera, open the back and point the camera toward a window or a light. Cock the shutter, look through the lens from the back of the camera, then press the shutter release button. You should see light through the lens momentarily as the shutter opens and closes. If you don't see light the battery may be dead. (On these cameras the shutter won't work without a good battery, but it can sound like it's working.) You can do a very basic test of the light sensor function, too. Do as above but partially cover the light sensor with your finger. (The light sensor is the small round window next to the lens.) The shutter should stay open longer than when the light sensor is not covered.

Submitted by Sheepie (not verified) on Wed, 09/21/2011 - 9:26am.

Hi their, I just bought the Button land camera, and put the film in it, When I shut it, it made a mechanical noise, but nothing else happened and when I press the button to take a picture nothing is happening at all. Would really appreciate your advise as i can't find much on the internet to help , Thank you

Submitted by Alex (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 8:05pm.

Hello there, I was curious is there a way i can hook up a tripod socket on my Polaroid 340? It doesnt have one so I was wondering if theres a way to hook one up somehow? thank you Kindly, Alex

Submitted by Michael Raso (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 12:15am.

Hi Alex. You'd have to do a "mod" and drill a socket yourself (or perhaps a machine shop could do it). A few models have a Tripod Socket (The 100, 101. 250 to name a few)

Submitted by Michael Raso (not verified) on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 10:09am.

Regarding THE BUTTON Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera

The Button, The Time Zero One Step and the original white "rainbow" One Step are all similarly designed. You pop a pack of SX-70 film in, close the door and the "black card" pops out the front. You're now ready to take your first picture.

Polaroid Time Zero One Step SX-70 camera

Of the many cameras One Step SX-70 cameras that I've tested, five out of ten will have motors that have gone bad over time. Camera sounds fine but will not eject any images. I have done lots of web research but have come up short on a repair solution.

Submitted by Mark (not verified) on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 3:09pm.

I also just purchased a Polaroid 420 for $5! I did the battery mod and loaded up some fuji film and took a few pics around the house. With poor lighting the pics came out pretty dark. I took a decent pic outside with it being pretty overcast. Today was bright and sunny out so I tried some outdoor shots. I got nothing! Just the single click. I tried in in the house and it worked fine. So whats up?

My outside, overcast pic...

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/421431_2910737886656_1206893872_32347349_1410562992_n.jpg

Submitted by Michael Raso (not verified) on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 4:17pm.

Check your wiring. Sounds like camera is no longer getting power.

Submitted by Mark (not verified) on Wed, 02/22/2012 - 4:42pm.

It is getting power, I used a AAA 2 battery holder and soldered the wires. I wonder if the light sensor is malfunctioning? It works inside fine, but pics turn out dark, I go outside and only one click, go inside and it takes a pic. I just tried holding my finger of the sensor and it took a pic that turned out almost pure white.

Submitted by Jim (not verified) on Tue, 02/28/2012 - 4:45pm.

I'm using a Polaroid 104, and have been using Fuji Fp-100B and C to get some great shots in the past. but a few weeks a go the camera started giving me just a white pic, no image just nothing but white. how do i fix this? it happens regardless if where the exposure dial is, or if teh slider on top of the lenes is at color or B &W. any suggestions?

Submitted by Michael Raso (not verified) on Tue, 02/28/2012 - 7:16pm.

I think (Mark) that you may have to turn your darken/lighten one or two clicks to lighten instead of holding your finger on the electric eye (which completely overexposed your image.

Jim, look through the lens and make sure the COLOR - BW slider is working. Also, without film, check your shutter.

Submitted by Kjetil G (not verified) on Fri, 03/09/2012 - 12:28pm.

Hi! I just purchased a 210 camera from you guys, and I've been shooting some really great pics both with the 100c and 3000b film! However, the shutter stopped responding yesterday! I thought it was maybe the battery, and changed it. But, it still does not respond at all. Nothing happens actually. No click or anything. Any idea what might be the problem?? All the best, -Kjetil G

Submitted by Michael Raso (not verified) on Fri, 03/09/2012 - 2:21pm.

Could be quite a few things. Try to narrow it down. When you cock the shutter and then shoot, does the shutter release at all? The more details, the better.

Submitted by Kjetil G (not verified) on Fri, 03/09/2012 - 2:47pm.

No, unfortunately the shutter doesn't release at all!

Submitted by Kjetil G (not verified) on Sat, 03/10/2012 - 11:12am.

Hi again! Have you any other suggestions what the problem might be? There's a film inside with 4 pictures left. The shutter is locked in down position, and the battery is brand new. I'm just eager to shoot some more film here!! Hehe... All the best, Kjetil G

Submitted by HeatherB (not verified) on Sat, 03/10/2012 - 12:52pm.

Hi, I am having the same issue with my Land Sea 420, the shutter works fine (clicks twice) without film, but only clicks once with film. I also had the hardest time with my pack of film, could not easily remove the first four prints, but this should not have affected the shutter? All my images thus far have been black :(

Submitted by HeatherB (not verified) on Sat, 03/10/2012 - 12:58pm.

My shutter does release, but just the one click.

Submitted by Michael Raso (not verified) on Sat, 03/10/2012 - 7:47pm.

Hi Kjetil G, Sounds like a problem with the shutter release cable. I have yet to fix such a problem. Please search "The Google" and see if you can find any threads with a solution.

Hi Heather, Sounds like your camera isn't getting power. Check the terminals on your battery. Any green corrosion? If you can, remove your film in a darkroom and put the film is a light tight black bag. This way you won't waste any shots while troubleshooting.

Submitted by Kjetil G (not verified) on Sun, 03/11/2012 - 10:58am.

Thanks Michael, It was the shutter cable. When I moved it back and forth, up and down, I was able to release the shutter and take pictures. But it is not ideal of course. I know a guy in a vintage camera store that might be able to fix it. Otherwise I guess I'll have to get myself a new camera. Thanks again. Kjetil G

Submitted by Kjetil G (not verified) on Fri, 03/16/2012 - 9:43am.

Hi (once) again! Just wanted to say that I fixed the problem myself! And it really wasn´t that complicated. It seems that my shutter cable got bent out of shape when I unfolded the bellow. Probably because that little black tape that attaches the cable to the bellow loosened! I gentle, but firmly tried to bend the cable back to the "original" shape, and it worked. The shutter works just fine now. I even put on a new piece of tape, so that the cable doesn´t get stuck stuck when I fold back the bellow.

Submitted by HeatherB (not verified) on Sat, 08/04/2012 - 2:37pm.

I was able to take the film out and put it in a black bag, check the shutter (which did not work at first, but after covering the light sensor a couple of times, it did), replaced the battery...and lo and behold I have taken 2 great pictures! Let the fun begin :)

Submitted by Shutter K (not verified) on Thu, 08/30/2012 - 11:30am.

I have a Minute Maker and it takes great shots. Unfortunately, it captures part of what I believe to be the shutter at the bottom of the print and regardless of settings. Its a black and nearly universally consistent shape. Any thoughts?

Submitted by Nick (not verified) on Thu, 09/27/2012 - 3:06am.

It sounds like the cloth on the inside of your bellows has separated, what most people call "bellows sag". See this thread for info and pictures: http://www.flickr.com/groups/landcamera/discuss/72157629809260601/

Submitted by Charls (not verified) on Sat, 11/10/2012 - 11:06am.

Hi Michael! I just bought a Polaroid 104 and did the mod for installing a 3v battery. I tried to check whether the shutter works, but so far it's just just giving me 1 click. Will there be any way to know whether my problem is just because of the mod or the mechanisms inside?

Submitted by Michael Raso (not verified) on Sun, 11/11/2012 - 2:34pm.

1-Click - camera not getting power. Check your wiring. Always check your shutter before loading film.

Here's the vid -http://youtu.be/OFD382IXv3A

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/11/2012 - 2:57pm.

Hi, a apologize for putting a probably stupid question but it's been AGES I haven't shot Polaroid - will a 104 camera take any of the new "Impossible" films from the Netherlands? Thank you.... Castro

Submitted by Michael Raso (not verified) on Sun, 11/11/2012 - 6:15pm.

All of the Polaroid Automatic Land Cameras take Fujifilm FP-100c (color) or FP-3000b (BW). They'll also take any expired Polaroid 100 film (avail in the FPP Store - http://filmphotographyproject.com/store/instant-film/polaroid-type-100-p... )

Submitted by DeAnne (not verified) on Thu, 01/10/2013 - 12:48pm.

Hello! I have a Polaroid 335 and my shutter isn't working properly as well. It works more like the "bulb" function on DSLRs. It clicks once when I push the shutter button but doesn't click again until I release the shutter button. I got some good shots doing this but I'd rather not play the guessing game. Any tips or advice? Many Thanks!

Submitted by Lara (not verified) on Tue, 02/26/2013 - 6:43pm.

Just wanted to pop on and and say Thank You! After nine black exposures I finally have an image! I had a small amount of corrosion from an old battery, which I cleaned with vinegar. Then I happened to have a CR123A battery sitting around, so I taped the contacts to the battery and off we went! At first the connection wasn't that great and I would see the shutter open, but only one quick click. I persevered and eventually got the two clicks after adjusting the battery contacts. This is a great site!

Submitted by Michael Raso on Wed, 02/27/2013 - 10:14am.

Hi Lara,

Very happy to hear that your camera is now working! Keep an eye on those contacts as they may become loose if you are using tape to hold everything together. Happy shooting!

Submitted by brittney (not verified) on Sun, 03/31/2013 - 10:04pm.

hi I brought a polaroid land camera from ebay and when i put film in it it spat out the black card and now will not take any photos. Why is it not working and what can I do to fix it? thanks :)

Submitted by Michael Raso on Tue, 04/02/2013 - 9:41am.

98% of all Automatic Land cameras bought on e-bay do not work. The sellers have misconceptions that the shutter is working because when they test it they hear a click.

The Polaroid Automatic Land Camera must have battery power in order for the shutter to open and then close (two clicks). Scroll up and see the video.)

Check your battery compartment - corroded? Old Battery? Both?

Help! My Polaroid Automatic Land Camera is not working!

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