Another new Polaroid camera ...

[Godfrey]

Waiting - Palo Alto 2013
Polaroid Spectra SE Onyx - Impossible Project "Silver Shade Cool" film
(scanned with iPad mini camera)​

The first of two Spectra cameras arrived yesterday. This is a nice camera to shoot with ... the SX-70 is more flexible and controllable, but the Spectra is much handier, simpler and faster in operation.

This was 'old stock' of Impossible PZ Silver Shade my local dealer had. Just ordered six more packs of film (three Color Protection and three Silver Shade Cool) as well as the scanning jig so I can capture them properly with the flatbed scanner. Sheesh, a pack a day is an expensive habit with these cameras!

enjoy
G

 

[Dan]

Expensive, yes, but just luxuriate in those amazing glowing tones!

 

[charjohncarter]

Godfrey, I really like that impossible film for portraits, I'm sure you will have fun using it.

I have a Polaroid a 'One Shot' 'Close-up' you can have if you are interested. It is in very good condition and had an old pack of 600 in it when I got it. The camera spit the film out but the film itself was too old.

 

[Godfrey]

Godfrey, I really like that impossible film for portraits, I'm sure you will have fun using it.

I have a Polaroid a 'One Shot' 'Close-up' you can have if you are interested. It is in very good condition and had an old pack of 600 in it when I got it. The camera spit the film out but the film itself was too old.

That is such a kind offer. I'll send you a pm. 🙂

G

 

[robert blu]

I never considered the Spectra but I'll think about it...great tones in your photo.
robert

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Is the extreme softness due to the film pack, the lens or what?

(serious question, before you ask)

 

[Godfrey]

I never considered the Spectra but I'll think about it...great tones in your photo.
robert

Thanks!

I'm quite taken with the Spectra. It's a very handy camera to shoot with. I've been learning a lot more about them. There is a range of models, read up about them if you want to go with one so you know what the differences are. Some are more flexible in their settings than others.

G

 

[Godfrey]

Is the extreme softness due to the film pack, the lens or what?

(serious question, before you ask)

The softness is due to three interacting things:

- I was shooting through two layers of glass into a storefront. This meant I had to disable sonar AF and the flash so the camera was focused on infinity and resulted in a somewhat long exposure time.

- The image was scanned by snapping a picture of it with my iPad mini, and then using the tool to do geometric correction on it (I had to angle the iPad mini a little away from straight on as the glossy surface reflections of the print cause problems).

- The scanned image presented below is about twice the area of the original.

It will have a slightly sharper look when my scanning jig for this size Polaroid print arrives. The scanning jigs that Impossible Project sells have proven to be the best way to capture Polaroid prints into a digital image I've found. They're tricky due to the highly reflective surface.

G

 

[vdonovan]

Spectras can be quite sharp, with better quality optics than the inexpensive 600 series. best of all, Spectras can do in-camera double exposure!

 

[Godfrey]

Spectras can be quite sharp, with better quality optics than the inexpensive 600 series. best of all, Spectras can do in-camera double exposure!

Double exposure, manual focusing, etc, requires a Spectra Pro model. That's why I've got one on the way now... 🙂

G

 

[vdonovan]

Double exposure, manual focusing, etc, requires a Spectra Pro model. That's why I've got one on the way now... 🙂

G

Ah hah! You can do double exposure with ANY Spectra, using the following hack:

1. Take your shot, but keep the shutter button down after exposure. This will prevent the film from ejecting.

2. Now close the body.

3. Open the body, and take another picture over the first!

 

[Godfrey]

Ah hah! You can do double exposure with ANY Spectra, using the following hack:

1. Take your shot, but keep the shutter button down after exposure. This will prevent the film from ejecting.

2. Now close the body.

3. Open the body, and take another picture over the first!

Now that's an interesting hack. I'm not sure I have the manual dexterity to manage that ... 🙂

I'm pretty new to the Polaroid Spectra, have now two SE Onyx and a Pro (aka Minolta Instant Pro). Very nice cameras to shoot with, and I've got the accessories for close up that makes them very handy as well.

G