Polaroid MicroCam manual Special exposure techniques

> 16:30

< 1/60

8English

Exposure too short or too long

The camera will make automatic exposures as short as 1/60 second. If the microscope illumination is too bright, the camera will “beep” and the display will show:

Place a neutral density filter over the

microscope illuminator to increase the exposure time. Do not turn the light down, as this will cause a color shift with color film.

Automatic exposures can be as long as 161⁄2 minutes. If the light is too dim, the camera will “beep” and show:

Check that the light is turned up to the

brightest setting, and that the neutral density filter (if used) has been removed. If there still is not enough light, you must make a manual exposure.

Manual operation

Set the camera for manual mode. Press the shutter button to start the exposure, and watch the display as it shows the elapsed time. Press the button a second time to end the exposure.

Special exposure techniques

Exposure meter

The camera has a built-in exposure meter that is used in Automatic mode. When you press the shutter button, the meter measures the light from the specimen, calculates the exposure time and then displays the time for a few seconds before beginning the exposure. You can cancel the exposure before it starts by pressing the shutter button a second time, and use the exposure indicated when making manual exposures.

Reciprocity correction

When set for Automatic mode, the camera will automatically adjust the exposure time to compensate for reciprocity failure. With Type 339 color film, it also adjusts the filtration. The camera contains a built-in color conversion filter that moves into position when needed. The filter adjusts the color temperature of the tungsten/halogen microscope illuminator (2800-3400°K) to more closely match the color balance of the film (5500°K). Additional light-balancing filtration will not be necessary for most situations.