2015年10月31日星期六

A solution to film jam problem in Polaroid Land 100 series camera

Polaroid Land 100 series camera uses pack film. Polaroid does not produce pack film any more and old stocks could hardly be found in the marketplace.

Fortunately, the pack films produced by FujiFilm, such as FP-3000B (discontinued not very long ago) and FP-100C, are compatible for use.

The catch is that instead of a metal case as Polariod film, the case for Fuji pack film is made of plastic that can easily be compressed to deform by the metallic V-shape spring inside the film chamber. And, as the plastic case is compressed, due to the increased friction, a film could easily be jammed inside or half way out when it is pulled out from the side door of the film chamber after exposure.



Some people proposed to permanently flatten out the V-shape spring or even remove it. I personally do not like solutions which are destructive. The best solution that I have got so far is to use two hair pins in the way as shown in the second photo below. In this way, the V-shape spring is depressed such that the pressure onto the plastic case for the pack film is relieved. This quick and low-cost solution is not only extremely effective but also non-destructive.