Polaroid Spectra 600/I-Type Centering Spacers

Centers 600/I-Type cartridges inside film compartment of Polaroid Spectra cameras to hopefully mitigate spread issues.
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updated March 29, 2024

Description

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Man, I just missed the Instant Camera Accessories contest. I didn't even know it existed until now.

Showcase video: 

I haven't tested if this fixes the spread issue that happens when the film is all the way to the left ('cuz of money) and a test film pack (a used 600 film cartridge with good battery and a few photos to spare) is a must since this is the first version and bending the new pick arm is a bit tedious to get right.

 

UPDATE (3/28/2024):

Just tested some film, here are the results:

(top is with no e-taped rollers, left is 2 layers e-tape on top roller, right is 1 layer on top and bottom roller, though it seems to vary)

 

Before you try this, check if your camera's film door is compatible with the longer 600/I-Type cartridges (https://youtu.be/_HfMFs9-TRA). You're going to need to bend your own paper clip pick arm and get a rubber band (one or two twists should be enough to keep the rubber band from falling off the spacer, look at pictures). If I have the time, I might make a printable bending guide or tutorial. For now, observe the provided pictures and observe how the pick arm interacts inside the camera. If it's not right then it would most likely skip over the film, double eject, or not reset back into position.

To help save on battery, disable auto focus, disable flash, select the darkest/quickest exposure compensation setting, and take the film door off (look at the video) while using something to poke the “door closed” switch.

If you have issues inserting a film cartridge, make sure the plastic tab and strip are removed from the front of the cartridge and while inserting, try to tilt the rear of the cartridge down (by pushing the front up) so that it can settle into place (else the rear would poke upwards into the mirror assembly and not fit).

To reset the film counter, you have to remove and reinsert the left spacer as it presses on the film counter switch. I'm currently drafting up a new version that can be reset without removing the left spacer.

Print guidelines:

  • Left spacer:
    • There are some thin and small sections that need to be printed carefully so make sure your speeds, extrusion multiplier, and pressure advance are good. For layer height it doesn't really matter so choose what you prefer.
  • Right spacer:
    • Doesn't need to be precise, it's just a void filler, so go ahead and print how you want.
  • Pick interface:
    • This is a very small part that will most likely need brims to keep it stuck on the build plate and slow print speeds to give enough cooling time between layers/bridging. It's small so it would probably take 5-10 minutes on slow speeds.
  • PLA is just fine for all of them

Takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to print all of these so take your time to print with quality presets.

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