This camera has some importants firsts:
first electronic shutter in a mass-produced camera, first Polaroid
pack-film camera. So this is the first camera of a new era, the Pack
Film era. No more rolls to fiddle into a camera, just a pack to put and
colour film to come soon. The new cameras were automatic, much smaller
and easier to handle.
The
100 model was produced from 1963-1966. Although the original retail
price was $164,95 (which would be $1.314,14 in 2016!) there were
about 1.200.000 cameras sold. Cheaper versions followed and reached
similar production numbers.
The features common to all Pack 100 folding cameras:
Pull-out front standard with scissor strut design. Removable hinged plastic cover protects entire front of camera when camera is not in use.
Unit focus; focus is controlled by pushing on either side of a sliding
arm located near the base of the bellows struts. Shutter must be manually cocked, shutter release is on top of camera body. PC socket for flash (Model 360 excepted), flashgun is clipped to the top of the camera.
Features of the 100 model:
Lens: 114mm f/8.8 3-element glass Shutter: Electronic; 10 seconds - 1/1200
Separate window view/rangefinder assembly (hinged base, flips up for
use and is held in place with a magnetic catch, folds down for storage
and fits inside the camera's plastic cover) Viewfinder has projected framelines and automatic parallax compensation. Aperture-priority automatic exposure only Settings for film speeds of 75, 150, 300, and 3000 ASA. "Scene
selector" switch which gives choice of two different aperture settings
for each film speed setting, lens can be used at full aperture with
3000 ASA film. Exposure compensation dial with range of -1/+2 stops ("Lighten/Darken" control). Metal body and metal shutter/lens housing; has tripod socket Leather carrying strap
Some photos:
The Polaroid 100
Front
Right side
Back
Left side
Seen from above
Closed. The cover has been widened a bit to allow an accessory holder to stay attached.
