Polaroid 450 Repair?

[ambaker]

I bought a 450 a couple of weeks ago. One of the wires for the batteries, it uses two, was broken. I repaired the break, and re-insulated it. Installed fresh batteries, and now I fear the worst.

When I look through the lens, from the back of the camera, and actuate the shutter I get no light. I get the sound of the shutter actuating, but no visible light. I have tried it with my finger over the photo cell, with the camera set for cloudy days, at ASA 75, and still no visible light through the lens.

It is my understanding that without batteries, you get the shutter sound, but need the batteries for it to actually work.

Is there something else I can do, or check?


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[Chrismat]

Yes, it's true that you will need batteries for the shutter to function. I have a Polaroid 250, and without batteries it will not work at all.

You might want to check out this website:http://www.instantoptions.com. He does Polaroid conversions and I believe basic clas. At least, you could e-mail him and he may be able to give you some pointers.

Chris

 

[CatLABS]

The 450 has two battery holders
1. for the shutter
2. for the timer

Its important to make sure that you have a good working 3V battery on the shutter battery holder.
If you do have this, and the shutter still does not fire, it might be a mechanical issue with the shutter, its rare but happens sometimes.

 

[bvy]

Well, it's funny. I was reading this thread this morning. This afternoon, I pulled my 450 off the shelf and attempted twice to get a picture of my wife in the pool. Both frames were blank. I thought it was the film (FP3000B). So I did a darkroom transplant of the film into a ProPack camera, and the film is fine. Upon inspecting the now empty 450, I noticed, like the OP, the shutter sounds like it's cocking and releasing, but it's not exposing at all. Next, I inspected the batteries...

In the winter, I had modified the camera to take two AAA batteries, and it was working fine. I took several pictures with the camera. Now I notice that one of the batteries is completely corroded. Keep in mind the batteries and battery holder were brand new just four months ago. I wonder what's gone wrong...

 

[xya]

did you put it unfolded on the shelf? in this case you should remove the batteries. there is a switch which shuts the batteries off when you close the camera. remember, the circuits are nearly 50 years old. a bit of voltage leak is always possible then. if it was closed the switch might be stuck.

 

[bvy]

I didn't store it unfolded, but I was unaware of a switch. I'll look for it; perhaps it's not engaging. Thanks.

 

[ambaker]

I do not believe the 400 series has this switch. It was in the bottom of the battery compartment in earlier models.

In the 400 series, the circuits are not actuated until the button is pressed. There are a pair of contacts that make, just before the shutter is released. Otherwise no juice to the rest of the goodies, at least according to my volt meter.


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[bvy]

Well, that's consistent with what I'm seeing. No switch. However the camera is working again after cleaning up and installing new batteries. Thanks all.

 

[xya]

Well, that's consistent with what I'm seeing. No switch. However the camera is working again after cleaning up and installing new batteries. Thanks all.

nice to hear that it is working again. and nice to have learned that the 400 series has no switch. I only had cameras from the three first series (100-360), they have switches.