FAQS: Cameras – Packfilm – Instant Options

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:

Folding Type Automatic Model 100

Rigid Type Colorpack II

“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
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Model	[simple_tooltip content=’The 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. 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=’Cameras with a scene selector switch also have a film speed dial. Combining both gives you a few more shooting options for your film. 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).‘]Scene Selector[/simple_tooltip]	Finder	[simple_tooltip content=’The 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		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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
101	metal		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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
102	metal/plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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
103	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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
104	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’ Does 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. Can not accept any portrait or closeup kit.’]1 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]	plastic
125	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’ Does 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. Can not accept any portrait or closeup kit.’]1 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]	plastic
135	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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
210	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’ Does 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. Can not accept any portrait or closeup kit.’]1 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]	plastic
215	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’ Does 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. Can not accept any portrait or closeup kit.’]1 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]	plastic
220	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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
225	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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
230	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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
240	metal		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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
250	metal		[simple_tooltip content=’ 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. Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for Zeiss models ONLY (usually noted by letter A).’]Zeiss[/simple_tooltip]	glass
315	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’ Does 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. Can not accept any portrait or closeup kit.’]1 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]	plastic
320	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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
330	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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		mechanical
335	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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		electronic
340	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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		mechanical
350	metal		[simple_tooltip content=’ 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. Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for Zeiss models ONLY (usually noted by letter A).’]Zeiss[/simple_tooltip]	glass		electronic
355	metal		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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		mechanical
360	metal		[simple_tooltip content=’ 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. Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for Zeiss models ONLY (usually noted by letter A).’]Zeiss[/simple_tooltip]	glass		electronic
420	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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
430	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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		mechanical
440	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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		mechanical
450	metal		[simple_tooltip content=’ 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. Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for Zeiss models ONLY (usually noted by letter A).’]Zeiss[/simple_tooltip]	glass		electronic
455	metal		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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		mechanical
M60	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’ Does 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. Can not accept any portrait or closeup kit.’]1 window rigid[/simple_tooltip]	plastic		mechanical
M80	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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		electronic
Countdown 70	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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		mechanical
Countdown 90	plastic		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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		electronic
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=’ 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. Can accept portrait and closeup kit goggles for Zeiss models ONLY (usually noted by letter A).’]Zeiss[/simple_tooltip]	4 element glass
195	metal		[simple_tooltip content=’Small 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		mechanical

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

FOLDING

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RIGID

Reporter Style Folding