The Model 100 was the first of many Polaroid pack film cameras. It set the standard for the basic body, shutter assembly and finders found on all others.
While there are many pack film models, there are few differences when it comes to cleaning and modifying the batteries.
The ubiquitous nature of the 100, and many that share its finder and shutter, makes it an easy pick for a quick reconditioning and battery conversion. If you have a model with a folding finder, and a scene selector on your shutter, than these pages will work fine for you as well.
This model uses a single 4.5v battery. The originals are hard to find and expensive. If you find that your model also requires 4.5v batteries, then these pages will also work for you.
The first thing to get the camera open is to open the front clamshell. And to work on the camera, simply remove it by the clasp found inside.
red arrow: shutter cock; blue arrow: scene selector; green arrow: shutter release; yellow arrows: focus
To extend the bellows, pull up on the arrow marked 1. If it doesn’t extend, pull it until it locks.
This camera has a dial under the lens with settings for film speeds of 75, 150, 300, and 3000. The dial on the front of the lens gives you +/- 2 stops in exposure control.
To focus the camera, you move the two knobs, yellow arrows, which moves the lensboard back and forth.
Cock the shutter with the arm, red arrow, and press the shutter button, green arrow, to take a picture.
The 100 has the better shutter exposure controls, which gives you a scene selector switch, blue arrow. On top of the shutter housing you will see 4 squares. Two at a time are highlighted as the selected scene. Choosing the appropriate one will allow your photos to come out just a bit more controlled.