FAQS: Cameras – Packfilm

The charts below show the major differences between packfilm camera models. When searching for what camera may be best is a subjective thing. With the differences outlined, it should be easier to understand why one might be considered better than another.

For a listing of every model’s specifications, and photos of camera models see the Optional Land List.

For a listing on the films available for these camera see here.

Packfilm cameras comes in three body styles:

100.pack

Folding Type Automatic Model 100

cp2.pack

Rigid Type Colorpack II

ee100s.pack

“Reporter Style” Folding EE100

All cameras here, except where noted, are automatic aperture priority cameras powered by batteries. Automatic packfilm cameras do not allow you to choose fstops, but instead give you set fstops with which a shutter speed is chosen by the camera for the available light. “Better” models give you more fstops to work with. Use common sense to know when you would need a tripod to avoid camera shake.

If you need to know how to load your camera there is a section for that.

For advice on Polaroid cameras see the Buying Tips page.

 

FOLDING
Hover over green text to see more information about certain attributes

Model

[simple_tooltip content=’bodymetalThe insides of the models varies, but they are all look almost identical on the outside.

The body of the camera and shutter may be of metal or plastic construction.

Metal is always brushed and light.bodyplastic

Plastic colors vary by model.

The battery door and back door with rollers is always made of black, light or dark grey painted metal.’]Body[/simple_tooltip]

[simple_tooltip content=’sceneselectCameras with a scene selector switch also have a film speed dial. Combining both gives you a few more shooting options for your film.sceneselectorchart

Remember to turn the L/D dial compensate for YOUR film speeds.

Always set to the appropriate setting unless you are after a specific effect.

Without a scene selector, your choices are only
75(color) / 3000(bw).sceneselect2‘]Scene Selector[/simple_tooltip]

Finder

[simple_tooltip content=’lensglasslensplasticThe lens elements are either plastic or glass.

Typically glass cameras have screws holding the shutter to the bellows, plastic has lock washers.

Its a personal preference which is better for your photos.

Plastic can be scratched, even by cleaning. Glass is more resilient to upkeep.

Glass lenses are 3 element and plastic is 2′]Lens[/simple_tooltip]

[simple_tooltip content=’Only metal body models have a tripod socket.

It is not centered and is off slightly to the side.’]Tripod[/simple_tooltip]

[simple_tooltip content=’Some models have development timers built into the backs.

Neither of these timers are perfectly accurate after decades. But who cares, most film is self-terminating anyway.

Be careful that your film isnt difficult to pull because the timer presses on the pack.’]Timer[/simple_tooltip]

100

metal yes [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

glass yes no

101

metal no [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

glass yes no

102

metal/plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

glass yes no

103

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

glass no no

104

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder1window2 finder1window3Does not have any real way to focus. An arrow moves up and down as you focus, pointing at a relative distance, while another remains stationary.

You use these 2 lines to size up a human head for portrait photography.finder1window

Can not accept any portrait or closeup kit.’]1 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no no

125

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder1window2 finder1window3Does not have any real way to focus. An arrow moves up and down as you focus, pointing at a relative distance, while another remains stationary.

You use these 2 lines to size up a human head for portrait photography.finder1window

Can not accept any portrait or closeup kit.’]1 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no no

135

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

glass no no

210

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder1window2 finder1window3Does not have any real way to focus. An arrow moves up and down as you focus, pointing at a relative distance, while another remains stationary.

You use these 2 lines to size up a human head for portrait photography.finder1window

Can not accept any portrait or closeup kit.’]1 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no no

215

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder1window2 finder1window3Does not have any real way to focus. An arrow moves up and down as you focus, pointing at a relative distance, while another remains stationary.

You use these 2 lines to size up a human head for portrait photography.finder1window

Can not accept any portrait or closeup kit.’]1 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no no

220

plastic yes [simple_tooltip content=’finder2windowrigidfinder2windowrigid2Small circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

 

Same as the folding one but the front is angled which wont allow the use of any portrait or closeup kit.
‘]2 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no no

225

plastic yes [simple_tooltip content=’finder2windowrigidfinder2windowrigid2Small circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

 

Same as the folding one but the front is angled which wont allow the use of any portrait or closeup kit.
‘]2 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no no

230

plastic yes [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

glass no no

240

metal yes [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

glass yes no

250

metal yes [simple_tooltip content=’finderzeiss2 finderzeiss3 The top of the line viewfinder for Polaroid cameras. Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Single window with split-image focusing and bright line parallax correction.

There is a rare larger viewport version only found on the early model 250.finderzeiss

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for Zeiss models ONLY (usually noted by letter A).’]Zeiss[/simple_tooltip]

glass yes no

315

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder1window2 finder1window3Does not have any real way to focus. An arrow moves up and down as you focus, pointing at a relative distance, while another remains stationary.

You use these 2 lines to size up a human head for portrait photography.finder1window

Can not accept any portrait or closeup kit.’]1 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no no

320

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder2windowrigidfinder2windowrigid2Small circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

 

Same as the folding one but the front is angled which wont allow the use of any portrait or closeup kit.
‘]2 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no no

330

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder2windowrigidfinder2windowrigid2Small circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

 

Same as the folding one but the front is angled which wont allow the use of any portrait or closeup kit.
‘]2 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

glass no yesmechanical

335

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder2windowrigidfinder2windowrigid2Small circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

 

Same as the folding one but the front is angled which wont allow the use of any portrait or closeup kit.
‘]2 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

glass no yeselectronic

340

plastic yes [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

glass no yesmechanical

350

metal yes [simple_tooltip content=’finderzeiss2 finderzeiss3 The top of the line viewfinder for Polaroid cameras. Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Single window with split-image focusing and bright line parallax correction.

There is a rare larger viewport version only found on the early model 250.finderzeiss

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for Zeiss models ONLY (usually noted by letter A).’]Zeiss[/simple_tooltip]

glass yes yeselectronic

355

metal yes [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

glass yes yesmechanical

360

metal yes [simple_tooltip content=’finderzeiss2 finderzeiss3 The top of the line viewfinder for Polaroid cameras. Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Single window with split-image focusing and bright line parallax correction.

There is a rare larger viewport version only found on the early model 250.finderzeiss

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for Zeiss models ONLY (usually noted by letter A).’]Zeiss[/simple_tooltip]

glass yes yeselectronic

420

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder2windowrigidfinder2windowrigid2Small circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

 

Same as the folding one but the front is angled which wont allow the use of any portrait or closeup kit.
‘]2 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no no

430

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder2windowrigidfinder2windowrigid2Small circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

 

Same as the folding one but the front is angled which wont allow the use of any portrait or closeup kit.
‘]2 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

glass no mechanical

440

plastic yes [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

glass no yesmechanical

450

metal yes [simple_tooltip content=’finderzeiss2 finderzeiss3 The top of the line viewfinder for Polaroid cameras. Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Single window with split-image focusing and bright line parallax correction.

There is a rare larger viewport version only found on the early model 250.finderzeiss

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for Zeiss models ONLY (usually noted by letter A).’]Zeiss[/simple_tooltip]

glass yes yeselectronic

455

metal yes [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

glass yes yesmechanical

M60

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder1window2 finder1window3Does not have any real way to focus. An arrow moves up and down as you focus, pointing at a relative distance, while another remains stationary.

You use these 2 lines to size up a human head for portrait photography.finder1window

Can not accept any portrait or closeup kit.’]1 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no yesmechanical

M80

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder2windowrigidfinder2windowrigid2Small circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

 

Same as the folding one but the front is angled which wont allow the use of any portrait or closeup kit.
‘]2 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no yeselectronic

Countdown
70

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder2windowrigidfinder2windowrigid2Small circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

 

Same as the folding one but the front is angled which wont allow the use of any portrait or closeup kit.
‘]2 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no yesmechanical

Countdown
90

plastic no [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

plastic no yeselectronic
Below are the manual folding models. Instead of electronics and electric eyes, there is a leaf shutter.

These allow for specific speeds and fstops. You can also try to build your own.

180

metal [simple_tooltip content=’finderzeiss2 finderzeiss3 The top of the line viewfinder for Polaroid cameras. Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Single window with split-image focusing and bright line parallax correction.

There is a rare larger viewport version only found on the early model 250.finderzeiss

 

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for Zeiss models ONLY (usually noted by letter A).’]Zeiss[/simple_tooltip]

4 element glass yes no

195

metal [simple_tooltip content=’finder2window2finder2windowSmall circular window for split-image focusing; larger viewport for parallax framing.

Folds down when camera is closed and fits into the front cover.

Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for non-zeiss models.’]2 window folding[/simple_tooltip]

4 element glass yes yesmechanical
RIGID

All of these cameras have varying specs. This is just a quick synopsis of important differences and it does not cover all models. International models, found here.

Model

Film Speeds

Focus

Big Swinger

3000 ONLY viewfinder only

Big Shot

75 ONLY fixed focus rangefinder with split image NO BATTERIES!

Colorpack II-V

75/3000 focusing aid & viewfinder

Minute Maker

75 ONLY viewfinder masks for square/rect film

Super Shooter

75/3000 focusing aid & viewfinder
Below are cameras that ONLY take discontinued 80 series square packfilm.

Square Shooter

75 ONLY distance finder & viewfinder

Zip

3000 ONLY distance finder & viewfinder
Reporter Style Folding

Differences between models is quite negligible. This is just some notes about each. See the Land List for specs.

Model

Notes

The Reporter

uses 80/3000 speed film but also has a “3000ER” setting allowing use of a wide open aperture

EE100

lacks the aforementioned “3000R” setting

ProPack

ONLY model to take ProFlash electronic flash; “3000ER” is not full aperture; electronic timer