Polaroid MiniPortrait 203 Troubleshooting Manual

Brand: Polaroid

Model: MiniPortrait 203

Type: Troubleshooting Manual

This manual is also suitable for

MiniPortrait 403

Polaroid MiniPortrait 203 lets you take and develop color portraits in 60 seconds. It features a built-in flash, automatic exposure control, and a fixed focus lens. This easy-to-use camera is perfect for capturing special moments with friends and family. Take it to parties, events, or on vacation to create instant keepsakes that you’ll treasure for years to come.

Troubleshooting

Guide

Polaroid Miniportrait

Model 203 and Model 403

July 1996

Polaroid Corporation

Customer Care Center

Technical Documentation

201 Burlington Road

Bedford, MA 01730

Contents

Page

How to troubleshoot.................... 3

• Black Pictures..................................... 3

• Dark Pictures...................................... 5

• Light pictures...................................... 7

• Yellowish/reddish spots in picture...... 9

• Timer Inoperative................................11

• Flash doesn’t fire................................13

• Camera inoperative............................15

The Bank Program.....................17

How to troubleshoot

BLACK PICTURES

Complaint: Black

pictures

Does flash fire?

Refer to "Flash Does

Not Fire", Pgs. 12

and 13

Are lens caps

removed?

Remove lens caps

Return camera for

repair

Yes

Is flash set

for 80?

Is film dark

slide removed?

Remove dark slide

Set flash for 80

(not 3000)

Yes

EXPLANATION:

1 If the flash doesn’t fire in situations where there is very low light,

the picture may be black (underexposed with no discernible

image).

2 If the film’s dark slide is not removed prior to taking the picture,

light cannot expose the negative.

3 If lens caps are not removed, light can not travel through the lens

to expose the negative.

4 If the flash is set for 3000 (black & white) instead of 80 (color),

light output is reduced and the picture may be dark..

5 If 1 - 4 above did not cause the problem, the camera is defective

and should be returned for repair. The shutter may be faulty (not

opening).

How to troubleshoot

DARK PICTURES

Complaint: Dark

Pictures

Is flash set for

100/80?

Reset the camera

Is flash facing

subject?

Rotate strobe head to

face the subject

Yes

Is f-stop

setting below

f16?

Set f-stop between

f11 and f16

Yes

Is flash firing?

Yes

Refer to

"Flash Does

Not Fire"

Return camera for

repair

Yes

EXPLANATION:

1 If the flash is set for 3000 (B & W film) instead of 80 (color film),

the flash will not provide enough light to properly expose the

picture.

2 If the flash reflector is tilted upward, not enough light will reach

the subject.

3 If the aperture is too small, not enough light will reach the

negative during exposure. To increase aperture size, lower the

f-stop number.

4 If the flash does not fire, the ambient room lighting will be

insufficient for proper exposure.

5 If 1 - 4 above did not cause the problem, the camera is probably

defective and should be returned for repair.

How to troubleshoot

LIGHT PICTURES

Complaint: light

pictures

Decrease f-stop

(higher number)

Is picture still

to light?

Try another film pack

Is picture still

too light?

Check portrait head

size

Is head

size too large

and blurry?

Return camera for

repair

Yes

Film was fogged

Aperture opening was

too large

Camera was too close

to subject

Yes

EXPLANATION:

1 If the picture is too light (overexposed), first try reducing the

aperture size by going to a higher f-stop number. This will allow

less light to reach the negative during exposure resulting in a

darker picture.

2 If the picture is still too light, the film may be fogged. Try another

film pack.

3 If the problem persists, check to make sure the camera is not too

close to the subject. When the camera is too close, the subject’s

head size will be enlarged and slightly blurry, or out of focus.

4 If the problem is not caused by 1 - 4 above, the camera is

probably defective and should be returned for repair. The shutter

may be faulty.

How to troubleshoot

YELLOWISH/REDDISH SPOTS IN PICTURE

Complaint:

yellowish/reddish

spots in picture

Are spots

repetitive?

rollers

Does problem

continue?

Replace the camera's

rollers

Film or operator

problem

Yes

EXPLANATION:

1 The operator may have handled the film during development.

Never squeeze or bend the film while it is developing. Allow it to

develop undisturbed on a flat surface.

2 If the spots are repetitive through all pictures in the pack, the

rollers are dirty. To clean the rollers, first open the film holder -

take care not to dislodge the film pack. Then remove the roller

assembly and clean both rollers with a water-dampened soft, lint-

free cloth. Rotate both rollers during cleaning.

3 If the spots are repetitive and cleaning doesn’t solve the problem,

the rollers probably have a burr, or scratch, and should be

replaced.

How to troubleshoot

TIMER INOPERATIVE

Complaint: Timer

inoperative

Are batteries in

the timer?

Install batteries

Are batteries

O.K.?

Replace batteries

Is customer

resetting timer

properly?

Explain how to properly

reset timer

Replace timer

Yes

EXPLANATION:

1 If the timer does not function, check to make sure batteries are

installed. Check for correct orientation of batteries.

2 If the timer is still inoperative, try two new batteries.

3 If it is still inoperative, make sure the customer is properly

resetting the timer.

4 If 1 - 3 above do not solve the problem, the timer is probably

defective and should be replaced.

How to troubleshoot

FLASH DOESN’T FIRE

Complaint: flash

doesn't fire

Is the flash

Ready Light ON?

Raise the flash head

Replace the batteries

Return camera for

repair

Yes

Are the

batteries O.K.?

Yes

Is the camera

ON?

Turn camera ON

Yes

EXPLANATION:

1 If the camera is not turned on, the shutter, rangefinder and flash

won’t function. Push the switch to “1” to turn on the power.

2 If the flash head is not raised all the way, the flash will not turn

on.

3 If the camera is turned on with the flash in the upright position

the green ready light should be lit, if not, check the 6 volt battery.

The best method for doing this is to disconnect the 6 volt battery

and try operating the camera with four 1.5 volt AA batteries

installed in the hand grip. Make sure the batteries are properly

orientated. If the flash fires, the 6 volt battery was at fault and

should be replaced.

4 If the problem persists, the camera is probably defective and

should be returned for repair.

How to troubleshoot

CAMERA INOPERATIVE

Complaint:

camera

inoperative

Is power

switch on?

Turn power switch on

Is the

battery O.K.?

Replace the battery

Return the camera

for repair

Yes

Is the battery

cable O.K.?

Replace the

battery cable

Yes

EXPLANATION:

1 If the power switch is not on, the camera’s shutter, rangefinder

and flash will not operate. Push the switch to “1” to turn on the

power.

2 If the power switch is on and the camera still doesn’t operate, try

another 6 volt battery.

3 If the camera still doesn’t operate, check the cable linking the 6

volt battery. Do this by disconnecting the 6 volt battery and

installing four 1.5 volt AA batteries in the hand grip, making sure

they are properly orientated. If the camera works, the cable is

defective and should be replaced.

4 If the camera still doesn’t operate, it is probably defective and

should be replaced.

The Bank Program

Below is some general information that is specific to

the bank program.

EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED BY POLAROID

• Miniportrait 203 camera

• Single punch die cutter

• Battery cables

PACKAGING

• Units are shipped without dark slides and lens caps

• Camera settings are preset and taped prior to shipping

FILM REQUESTS

Customers should call Polaroid’s Order Entry Department

at 800-343-5000.

BATTERY REQUESTS

Both 6 volt and timer batteries are not supplied by Polaroid.

They must be purchased by the bank.

Batteries for the timer are Duracell T389. These are available

commercially, or from the Polaroid Parts Department at 1-800-

343-4846.

Battery cables are available from the Parts Department.

The Bank Program

SERVICE PROCEDURES

The procedure below is for Bank Program customers only; all other

customers should follow standard service procedures.

Film back only: If the film back is faulty, call Customer Service to

arrange “ship first”.

Camera: If the camera is faulty, arrange a “ship first” through CSIS.

Atlanta will send a replacement unit directly to the customer.

Instruct the customer to pack the defective camera in the “new”

camera box and hold it for UPS pickup.

Industrial Repair will ship next day on calls received prior to 2:00

P.M.. Central time.

Dropped/abused cameras: If determined by Customer Service that

the damage resulted from the camera being dropped or abused,

the customer will be charged for the repair. Atlanta will contact the

customer concerning the charge; it need not be discussed during

the first contact.

Polaroid MiniPortrait 203 Troubleshooting Manual

Brand: Polaroid

Model: MiniPortrait 203

Type: Troubleshooting Manual

This manual is also suitable for

MiniPortrait 403

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Polaroid MiniPortrait 203 Troubleshooting Manual

This manual is also suitable for

Polaroid MiniPortrait 203 Troubleshooting Manual

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