1
Troubleshooting
Guide
Polaroid Miniportrait
Model 203 and Model 403
July 1996
Polaroid Corporation
Customer Care Center
Technical Documentation
201 Burlington Road
Bedford, MA 01730
2
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
3
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
No
No
Yes
Yes
1
3
4
Is flash set
for 80?
Is film dark
slide removed?
Remove dark slide
Set flash for 80
(not 3000)
2
No
Yes
No
5
Yes
4
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).
5
How to troubleshoot
DARK PICTURES
Complaint: Dark
Pictures
Is flash set for
100/80?
Reset the camera
No
Is flash facing
subject?
Rotate strobe head to
face the subject
No
Yes
Is f-stop
setting below
f16?
Set f-stop between
f11 and f16
No
Yes
Is flash firing?
Yes
No
Refer to
"Flash Does
Not Fire"
Return camera for
repair
Yes
1
5
4
3
2
6
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.
7
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
Yes
Film was fogged
No
Aperture opening was
too large
No
1
4
3
2
Camera was too close
to subject
Yes
No
8
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.
9
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
1
3
2
Yes
No
Yes
10
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.
11
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
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
1
4
3
2
12
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.
13
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
No
3
2
1
Are the
batteries O.K.?
No
Yes
Is the camera
ON?
Turn camera ON
4
No
Yes
14
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.
15
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
No
Yes
No
Yes
2
1
3
Is the battery
cable O.K.?
Replace the
battery cable
No
4
Yes
16
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.
17
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.
18
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.
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Polaroid MiniPortrait 403 Troubleshooting Manual
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