250 Score!!

[ChristopherCoy]

Stopped at a country antique store today while out riding in the Jeep, and he had two. This one was priced at $150 "because that's what they are online."

Offered him $50 and he bit.

Really clean, and the strap isn't even undone. I think it will work... At least I hope so. There's $50 riding on that "magic eye"!

 

[ic-racer]

If you ever have trouble with the shutter...(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[ChristopherCoy]

My $50 gamble paid off! I used the battery insert from a $5 LED flashlight with three AAA batts, and it works!

Shutter works well, magic eye seems accurate, and the switches move easily.

Can't wait to get more pack film! It's been a while since I've shot it!

 

[Ektagraphic]

Awesome! These cameras sure are fun!

 

[ChristopherCoy]

So my gamble really did pay off. It works perfectly. Now I just have to figure out how to nail the exposures.

Is it me, or are all the 250's in the dark side if the exposure scale?? This is my second one and it's just like the first! DARK!

 

[MattKing]

All those shots are backlit and in the shade.

Try one with even, front lighting

 

[vdonovan]

Here are the things to check

1. Make sure that you've got the film speed dial set correctly in front. There's not a "100" setting, so set it for either "75" or "150".
2. Make sure that the exposure compensation dial (the black/white dial) is set correctly. Start in the center, half way between white and black. If you've set the film speed dial to 75, cheat the dial a little dark, and vice versa if you've set the film speed to 150.
3. Set the scene selector to the correct setting. In this case, "outdoors without flash"
4. VERY IMPORTANT: make sure you are getting full exposure from the shutter. Don't just push the red shutter button: squeeze it down and hold it! Those cameras can have a maximum exposure time of as long as 5 seconds, but if you let go of the button the shutter will close even if the proper exposure has not been reached. Always hold the shutter button down for a second or two every time you take a picture - in low light you will hear the shutter open and close.
5. Lastly, the light sensors drift over time, so each camera will meter a little differently. After you've shot with a few packs of film, you might find that your camera tends to consistently over or under expose. Just adjust the light/dark dial accordingly.

good luck! They are indeed great cameras.

 

[vdonovan]

Oh, and p.s Matt is absolutely right. Those pack film cameras HATE back lighting. Always have the light incident upon the subject.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

It's set on 75, and u have it turned 1/4 towards lighten. It's set on outdoors without flash too. And I squeezed the button. I always pause a second or two to make sure the shutter closed.

My last 250 was the same way though, or maybe I just haven't mastered the exposure thing with this model.

If all the Polaroids, the EE 100 I think with the "extended range" is my favorite. I also really live the 420. But for ease of focusing these Zeiss finders are tips!

What's easier to nail, set on 150, or set on 75? What happens if you rate it at 50?

 

[ChristopherCoy]

So I got home today and decided to just crank it all the way to lighten. Same time of day. Same shaded area of the yard, although the sun was to my back. But there was bright spots on the house.

Much better with it all the way cranked to lighten.

 

[vdonovan]

Could be that the photocell is pretty faded. I would say rate it at 50, which should give you some latitude on the lighten/darken dial.

I had a 250 with a very faded photocell. I taped a piece of paper napkin over the light sensor and it worked pretty well.