Polaroid 600 Onestep Review.
Posted by parahanga on Nov 01 2009, in 779 film, Camera Review, integral film, parahanga, polaroid one step, review
This camera has heaps of reviews – so I won’t go into to much detail about, and just talk about a hack that I use. If you are new to polaroid, want to know more about what kind camera to choose – go visit this post on the mocking-bird blog. Or here. Or just about anywhere on the site.
I am primarily a pack type of guy, so I don’t use this camera very much as it uses integral film (the type of film most folks associate with polaroid film). Generally quality of the film that goes in this camera absolute shiite, but thats why you should love it. Seriously. Polaroid Integral have their own look and feel to it. They are kinda like bulldogs of analogue world – these beasts are ugly and cute at the same time. And chicks really dig them.
Now, this here one step is good camera. Its actually the first polaroid camera I bought. Its the only integral film Polaroid Camera I use. Here’s a pic of this bad boy.
Here are some notes on using this camera:
- If you can get 779 Film, its a bit harder to come by but the results are typically better than standard 600 film.
- Focusing close ups you can get up to 60cm away from the subject, This camera has a focusing slide for this. Use a measuring tape for this.
- The flash is overbearing most of the time. If I do have a take a shot using the flash, put your finger in the middle of the flash (so it divides the flash bulb evenly) and take the shot. This usually diffuses the flash enough so it doesn’t over expose the subject. Also you the shuttle release has 2 levers. See image label shutter release. Use the one in the behind the main release and it will fire without the flash. I didn’t
- Never, Never, Never leave camera in open position when not in use. Why? It will drain your battery. The Camera has no battery, the battery is in the film pack. You drain the film battery, you can not shoot any of the film left in the camera. There is a little green light that comes on the back of the camera to indicate the camera is ready for use – this will drain the battery in the film pack. I will show no pity to you if leave your camera open by mistake. You have been warned. A closed camera will look a bit like the head of Ridley Scott’s Alien.
- It works really well outdoors with a polarising filter.
- Shoot in as much daylight as possible – I haven’t had much luck shooting at night.
Ok – don’t have any custom built filters for this camera, however being the kinda of guy with more practical sense than with any style – here is how I use a polarising filter with the camera that obviously doesn’t fit the lens. You will need the items below:
- One non fitting polarising filter (mine is 58mm in size)
- One piece of foam
Instructions:
- Place the filter so it rests on the lighten/darken slider, make sure that the slider remains in the middle.
- Scrunch up the foam on top so it holds the filter in place. its ok that it bulges, just make sure that it doesn’t bulge over the lens.
It should look somewhat like this:
Yep, I know its not pretty, but you can get some great results using a polarising filter:
However, if you fail to push all the foam back, it will show on the film. You’ll have to look at the front of the camera to make sure its not bulging out as it does in this:
So enjoy your 600 OneStep, don’t be afraid to use it.
mestable
LOL! Alien-roid head!
Buster Caldwell
Hey man!
Where do you source your film from? I have this exact camera, and am in desperate need of some film to start shooting summer 😀
Anonymous
hey mate, ebay is usually the best source if you are from nz – just be sure to get 600 film (779 also works) not sx-70/spectra film.
Impossible-Project.com also has this film available, but last I checked, shipping costs to NZ were absolutely out of this world!
Anonymous
Hey, how do you change the battery? I have the same camera, i haven't used it for 10 years and now I don't know how it works. Please help me!
Anonymous
The battery is not in the camera, the battery is in the film. If you have film inside and the camera is not working, the battery in the film has gone flat. In most cases you have to buy a new pack to get it to work.