Focusing A Polaroid Camera: Tips For Sharp Instant Photos

Focusing a Polaroid camera is an essential step in capturing clear and sharp images. While some Polaroid cameras like the Polaroid Now and the Polaroid SX-70 feature autofocus capabilities, others like the Polaroid OneStep2 and the older Polaroid Now rely on manual focus controls. The autofocus system in Polaroid cameras uses sonar technology, which calculates the distance to the subject and automatically adjusts the focus, resulting in sharper photographs. However, manual focus options are also available in some models, providing full creative control over the image. Understanding the focusing mechanism of your Polaroid camera is crucial to achieving the desired results and making the most of your instant photography experience.

Understand the autofocus 2-lens system

The Polaroid Now Generation 2 i-Type Instant Camera features an autofocus 2-lens system. This system allows you to take sharper shots by automatically selecting the most suitable lens for the current lighting conditions and scene.

Autofocus (AF) systems use a combination of sensors, a control system, and a motor to automatically focus on a selected point or area. There are two main types of AF systems: active and passive. Active AF systems emit a signal, such as an infrared beam or sound waves, to measure the distance to the subject and adjust the lens accordingly. Passive AF systems, on the other hand, analyse the image entering the optical system and adjust the lens to maximise contrast and sharpness.

The Polaroid camera's autofocus 2-lens system likely uses a combination of these two methods to achieve accurate and reliable focusing. By utilising both active and passive AF techniques, the camera can take advantage of their respective strengths and compensate for their weaknesses.

The active AF system in the Polaroid camera may use an infrared signal to measure the distance to the subject. This method is effective for subjects within 20 feet (6 metres) of the camera. The camera emits an infrared signal, which bounces off the subject and returns to the camera's sensor. By measuring the time it takes for the signal to return, the camera can calculate the distance to the subject and adjust the lens accordingly.

At the same time, the passive AF system in the Polaroid camera analyses the image entering the lens and looks for areas of high contrast and sharpness. It does this by comparing adjacent pixels in the image sensor and looking for areas where the intensity difference is maximal. By finding these areas of high contrast, the camera can adjust the lens to ensure that the subject is in focus.

By combining these two systems, the Polaroid camera's autofocus 2-lens system provides a robust and flexible focusing solution that can adapt to a wide range of lighting conditions and scene types. This results in sharper images and a more user-friendly experience, even in low-light or challenging environments.

Use the self-timer for set-up shots

The self-timer function on your Polaroid camera is a great way to set up shots and ensure you are in the frame. This is especially useful for selfies or self-portraits. The self-timer delays the time between you pushing the shutter button and the camera taking the photo, allowing you to position yourself perfectly.

Polaroid Now Camera:

• Tap the self-timer button once.
• The LED light will illuminate orange, indicating that the self-timer mode is activated.
• Frame your photo and press the shutter button.
• The LED will blink to indicate the countdown, and you will have 9 seconds until the photo is taken.
• If you want to take a selfie without the flash, first activate the self-timer, and then press the flash button.
• You can cancel the self-timer at any time by pressing the self-timer button again.

Polaroid OneStep+:

Simple Self-Timer Method:

• Turn the camera on.
• Press the plus (+) button (located beside the lens) two times.
• The plus button will now glow orange, indicating that the camera is in self-timer mode.
• Set up your shot and press the shutter button.
• The camera will count down from 8 seconds and then take the photo.

Self-Timer via Polaroid App:

• Open the Polaroid app and select the topmost menu option: OneStep+.
• The screen should turn blue, indicating that you are now in Remote mode.
• Swipe right through the shooting modes until the screen turns orange and displays "Self Timer".
• The large button on the bottom left of your smartphone screen is now the remote trigger for your OneStep+.
• Adjust the countdown length between 1-12 seconds by moving your finger around the dial/wheel in the middle of the screen.
• Your smartphone screen will display a countdown, letting you know exactly when the photo will be taken.
• You can cancel the countdown at any time by pressing the shutter button again or turning off the camera.

Now you know how to use the self-timer function on your Polaroid camera, you can easily set up shots and include yourself in the frame!

Know the difference between manual and sonar autofocus

Manual focus and autofocus (AF) are two different methods of achieving a clear image in a photograph.

Manual focus requires the photographer to adjust the focus of the camera by hand, usually by twisting a ring on the lens barrel. This method can be time-consuming and may not always result in a perfectly sharp image, but it gives the photographer full control over the focus of the image.

Autofocus, on the other hand, uses a combination of sensors, control systems, and motors to automatically adjust the focus of the camera based on the distance to the subject. This method is generally faster and more precise than manual focus, especially when using modern SLR cameras with through-the-lens optical sensors.

One type of autofocus system is sonar autofocus, also known as a sonar-based autofocus system. This system was first developed by Polaroid in 1978 and uses ultrasonic sound waves to determine the distance to the subject. When the shutter button is pressed, the camera emits an ultrasonic pulse that bounces off the nearest object and returns to the camera. The time it takes for the sound waves to return is used to calculate the distance to the subject, and the camera then adjusts the focus accordingly. Sonar autofocus is known for being fast, reliable, and accurate, especially compared to the more primitive optical methods used by other camera manufacturers at the time.

Another type of autofocus system is infrared autofocus, which uses infrared light to triangulate the distance to the subject. This system is commonly found in compact cameras and early video cameras.

Both manual and autofocus have their advantages and disadvantages. Manual focus allows for more creative control, while autofocus is generally faster and more precise. Sonar autofocus, in particular, is known for its speed and accuracy but may be fooled by obstacles such as windows or mirrors.

Learn how to control exposure and brightness

Exposure and brightness are key to achieving a well-composed photograph. All Polaroid cameras have some form of exposure compensation, such as a dial, knob, slider, or wheel, which allows you to adjust the brightness of your photos. This feature gives you the ability to make your photos brighter or darker, depending on the lighting conditions and your desired effect.

In most cases, your Polaroid camera will automatically assess the lighting in your environment using a built-in light meter, creating a balanced exposure. However, if you want to fine-tune the exposure, you can manually adjust it. The process for doing so depends on the model of your Polaroid camera. For example, on the Polaroid Now+, you can adjust the exposure value by pressing and holding the flash button. This will display the default exposure setting, which is indicated by a horizontal line in the middle, representing a neutral position. From there, you can press the flash button to move the exposure value up to brighten your photos or down to darken them.

On the Polaroid 600, you can use the exposure correction slider to control the brightness of your images. The default position is in the middle. If your pictures are turning out too light, move the slider towards the black arrow to make them darker. Conversely, if they are too dark, move the slider towards the middle position to make them brighter. Typically, you wouldn't move the slider all the way to the white arrow, as this would result in overexposure.

When shooting in very bright sunlight with the Polaroid 600 or SX-70, it is recommended to slide the exposure compensation towards the "darken" setting. In normal daylight, keep the settings in the middle. If your subject is in shadow during the daytime, you may want to slide the exposure compensation slightly towards the "lighten" setting. Additionally, when using double exposure mode on the Polaroid Go, it is important to be mindful of the lighting conditions to avoid overexposure. Turn off the flash for one or both shots, and consider using scenes with lower light, higher contrast, and colour variation.

Explore the double exposure function

Double exposure is a function that allows you to combine two images into a single photo. This feature is available on the Polaroid Now, Polaroid Go, and Impossible I-1 cameras. To activate double exposure mode, press the self-timer or flash button twice. The display will show '1' for the first shot and '2' for the second shot.

• The first photo should be dark, with shadows that the second photo will fill in.
• Use a seamless background for portraits, but avoid a white backdrop as this can cause overexposure.
• Use a tripod for moving subjects to ensure consistency.
• Slightly underexpose your subject in the first photo to lower the chance of overexposure.
• Be creative and use backgrounds with lots of colour and texture.
• Try combining two photos of the same subject in different ways, such as mirrored or upside-down.
• If using the Impossible I-1 camera, connect it to the mobile app to manually control the camera and take double exposure photos.

Frequently asked questions