Choose a model to see more information about it. Clicking on a film type will bring you to the specific page for that type. |
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Rigid Body |
Packfilm Cameras
The following technical information is useful for specifics concerning each model. Where appropriate you can click to see more information including photos.
All of these models can take both the rectangular 100/660 type films as well as the square 80 type films.
Please see this chart to give you a visual comparison between the major "options" and abilities of each packfilm model.
If you see this icon, the model was intended for "Special Markets" distribution (i.e. corporate premiums, prizes, and other non-retail distribution) only.
There are so many special market cameras of this style that are not in the chart to the right, but are listed below in alphabetical order with all the rest.
If you see this icon, the model was sold in International (non-USA) markets only.
Production Estimates provided are based on statistical observation (from accumulated reports of serial numbers recorded from actual cameras), and are not intended or expected to have perfect accuracy. Numbers in parentheses indicate "soft" limits, numbers not in parentheses indicate "hard" limits.
Example: Estimated Production: 800,000 - (900,000)
This means that there almost certainly has to have been at least 800,000 of that model made, but there probably were fewer than 900,000 made (but beware that there still could be more). Keep in mind that numbers are subject to change as new data is collected.
All Non-folding Pack Cameras (plastic) have the following features in common:
- Rigid plastic body
- Models with adjustable focus have front-cell focusing lenses with distance scale on lens ring.
- "Everset" shutter; does not need re-cocking before next exposure.
- Use standard rectangular (100-series) format film packs only unless otherwise noted.
Notes: Due to the great number of different models in this category, descriptions will be kept as short as possible. International models are listed in a separate section after the USA models; this should help eliminate confusion between similarly named models with different features between these two market groups.
Produced: 1968-1970 / Original Retail: $24.95
- Lens: 114mm (?) meniscus single-element plastic; fixed-focus
- Shutter: single-speed mechanical
- Flash: Built-in flashgun for AG-1 bulbs
- Exposure system similar to that of the Model 20 ("Swinger"). The photometer on this camera only displays the "YES" message.
- Only 3000 ASA (B&W) film can be used in this camera.
- Has metal "spreader bars" instead of rollers.
Note: Basically a Swinger except for film size. This was the first of the rigid plastic packfilm cameras produced.
Big Shot
"Big Shot Portrait Land Camera"
Produced: 1971-1973 / Original Retail: $19.95
- Lens: 220mm, f/29 meniscus single-element plastic; fixed-focus
- Shutter: single-speed mechanical
- Flash: Built-in socket for Magicubes
- Designed for flash photography only; daylight exposure not recommended.
- Intended for use with 75/80 ASA color films only
- Has fixed-focus rangefinder for determining the correct (fixed) distance from subject. Finder has projected framelines.
- Has built-in mechanical development timer.
Notes: Designed for portraits only.
Anyone using this camera will quickly find that it requires the photographer to make quick back-and-forth walking movements and head motions to find the correct fixed distance from the subject. The strange 'dance' resulting from these movements has sometimes been referred to as the "Big Shot Shuffle".
This camera has a small flexible rubber T-handle mounted to its back, instead of the big plastic "flop-around" T-handle found on most of the other rigid plastic pack cameras. Evidently, age has not been kind to the Big Shot's rubber handle, as nowadays the vast majority of Big Shots are found with cracked or missing T-handles. The rubber T-handle was also used on some of the "last-gasp" plastic pack camera models, such as the Minute Maker, but most of those seem to have survived intact-- so far, at least. [Yes, your camera will still function just fine with a broken T-handle.]
Image quality is somewhat better than you might expect from a simple single-element plastic lens. Not only is this due to the small aperture used in this camera, but also because the long focal length and fixed close-focus means that only a small portion of the lens's image circle actually gets used to expose the film (simple lenses tend to be far sharper at the center of their image circle).
This camera was a particular favorite of artist Andy Warhol, and he apparently painted many of his portraits based on pictures he took of the subjects with a Big Shot camera. According to at least one report, Warhol liked this camera so much that he bought out Polaroid's remaining stock of Big Shot cameras when he learned that Polaroid was discontinuing it. I have no idea if this story is correct or not (my guess is that it's an exaggeration of a partial truth), but it's kind of amusing anyway. :-) [Perhaps he felt the Big Shot's 15 minutes weren't up yet..?]
Collector's Note: Unusual limited-use design, but was still quite popular. These used to be surprisingly common, but now they seem to have developed a bit more demand from people wanting them for portrait work. They're still not uncommon, though.
Produced: 1969-1972 / Original Retail: $29.95
- Lens: 114mm, f/9.2 3-element glass or plastic (see note).
- Shutter: Electronic; range about 10 sec. - 1/500
- Flash: Built-in flashcube socket; flashcube automatically rotates after each exposure
- Automatic exposure system similar to the folding pack cameras.
- Settings for 75 and 3000 speed films. (fixed aperture for each)
- Has simple "face sizer" focusing aid for 5ft. setting only.
- Has metal "spreader bars" instead of rollers.
- Body is dark brown-green in color.
Notes: Early production models have a glass lens rather than plastic; observation indicates that the glass lenses are coated, whereas the plastic ones are uncoated. Apart from the presense of the blue-green coating, the front element of the glass lenses appears to be slightly smaller in diameter than that of the plastic ones. Those interested in buying one of these cameras for actual use should give preference to a glass-lensed model; fortunately, they appear to be very common, and account for a high percentage of these cameras.
The rotation of the flashcube (on this and many other related Polaroid cameras) is powered by a simple spring-wound mechanism. Since the mechanism is designed to only operate for a single complete rotation of the cube (4 shots), it also can serve as a reminder to change the flashcube once its flashes are used up.
Collector's Note: Very common. This was a very popular camera at the time, no doubt in no small part due to it being the first color-capable Polaroid camera to retail under $30. This was also the first color-capable rigid plastic Polaroid pack camera, and provided the archetype for most of the other cameras in this category.
Produced: 1969-1972 / Original Retail: $29.95
Similar to Colorpack II, except:
- Has built-in mechanical development timer.
- Has a focusing aid of sorts-- a plastic pointer on a pendulum is visible in an arc-shaped window on the side of the camera to aid in guessing distances. You push a button on the focus aid to unlock the pendulum, and then line up a fixed horizontal line in the viewfinder with the point where your subject touches the ground. Releasing the button 'locks' the pendulum so you can move your eye from the viewfinder to read its position. You then have to manually focus the lens by scale so that it corresponds with the pendulum's reading. The operating principle is similar to the "Focus-Matic" feature on some Bell&Howell cameras of the same era.
- Body is black in color.
Notes: Like the Colorpack II, earlier models appear to have glass lenses. The percentage of glass-lensed versions would seem to be smaller than with the Colorpack II, however. Reports indicate that this camera was also sold outside North America, but that version lacks the focusing aid feature.
Produced: 1969-1971 / Original Retail: $39.95
Similar to Colorpack II, except:
- Has built-in mechanical development timer.
- Body is black in color.
Notes: Like the above Colorpack 2/3 cameras, some examples have glass lenses.
Produced: 1973-1975 / Original Retail: $??.??
Similar to Colorpack II, except:
- Flash can use either standard or Hi-Power flashcubes
- Has development rollers instead of spreader bars.
- Body is black in color.
Notes: Actual name of camera may be "CP5" rather than "Colorpack V".
Produced: 1977-19?? / Original Retail: $24.95
Similar to Colorpack V, except:
- Exposure system is for 75 ASA films only.
- Can use either standard rectangular format OR square format pack films-- viewfinder automatically adjusts to the proper format depending on pack size inserted.
- Nylon strap loops are on the front of the camera.
Note: A 'BC' (specially marked and packaged for K-Mart stores) version was also produced.
Produced: 1977-1978 / Original Retail: $31.95
Similar to Colorpack V, except:
- Can use either standard rectangular format OR square format pack films-- viewfinder automatically adjusts to the proper format depending on pack size inserted.
Note: At least one reference indicates that this model also has a built-in mechanical development timer, but the one example I have lacks this feature.
An 'SE' (Special Edition) version was also produced.
Produced: 1971-1972 / Original Retail: $42.95
Similar to Colorpack II, except:
- Has "Focused Flash" feature similar to Square Shooter
- Has "triangulation distance finder" similar to Square Shooter
- Built-in mechanical development timer.
- Body is black in color.
Produced: 1975-1977 / Original Retail: $25.00
Similar to Colorpack V, except:
- Can use either standard rectangular format OR square format pack films-- viewfinder automatically adjusts to the proper format depending on pack size inserted.
Notes: An 'SE' (Special Edition) version was also produced.
Produced: 1975-1977 / Original Retail: $34.95
Similar to Super Shooter, except:
- Built-in development timer.
Produced: 1977-1978 / International Markets
Similar to Minute Maker Plus (USA model), except:
- Has tripod socket
Produced: 1976-1977 / International Markets
Similar to Super Shooter (USA model), except:
- Exposure system for 75 ASA films only
- Has tripod socket
Produced: 1977-1978 / International Markets
Similar to Minute Maker (USA model), except:
- Has tripod socket
Produced: 1976-1977 / International Markets
Similar to Super Shooter (USA model), except:
- Has attached neckstrap
- Has tripod socket
Produced: 1976-1977 / International Markets
Similar to Super Shooter Plus (USA model), except:
- Has attached neckstrap
- Has tripod socket
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