Polaroid EE 100 SPECIAL - constant blurring?

Nothing "special" about these cameras... the lens is plastic.. and something appears to be out of wack with it. My suggestion would be to look into one of the glass lensed Polaroid pack-film cameras. You can check landlist.org for information. Models with glass lenses include, 100, 101, 102, 240, 250, 340, 350, 360, 450... and several others. These older models will also require a special battery.

So you're telling me just to buy another camera? I don't really want to do that, as I'm completely broke.

Hmmm.... well in the photograph called "Ross" the background is in focus. Which proves that the camera can get into focus at least for the background. Unfortunately you can't perform any of the standard lens calibration tests with the Pack-film Polaroids because they lack a B setting. How are you focusing? A little trick, either use a second camera as a rangefinder... manual focus SLR's typically have distance scale on the lens... or use the "bodies" method of distance. Imagine a human body laying on the ground in front of you, and another in front of it... each body is 6 feet... so you get incriments of 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 feet. (Unless you are short then you will probably imagine 5, 10, 15, 20... ;)

Another thing, be sure that your lens and shutter are completely pulled forward before firing the shutter... if they are not locked forward, the camera will not be able to focus at all. If they do not lock in the forward position then forget it, you will probably never get in-focus images... if the lens is back only 1/8" from it's correct position, then it will focus beyond infinity and nothing will be in focus... this seems to be consistent with your problem.

The older pack-film cameras are mostly metal so lens alignment problems are probably less likely. If you look around you should be able to find one of the lower numbered models I listed for under $15... I actually saw 2 of them go on ebay last week for under $12.... including shipping. Wasting film will end up more expensive than a different body. Many of these bodies even offer a REAL rangefinder, something the EE cameras lack.

James,

If your completely broke, Polaroid film will only make you broker! This camera looks cool, but is pretty cheap by Polaroid standards. Zone focusing isn't exactly a science and it could be possible that you just are not guessing the distance correctly. However, since you have to right at sometime, there is probably something out of adjustment.

You might try to check the focus with a used up film packet. Take the film packet and cut away the back so you can see through it. Then put frosted scotch tape across film plane. Install it in the camera and look at the focus at infinity. If you cover the sensor, you will have 10 seconds to try and get the focus right. You can rearrange the zone focus symbols or make your own once you have the focus correct. Personally, I'm with Patrick. Too much trouble.

If you are dedicated to film, you might try something cheaper than Polaroid. High quality 35mm cameras are going for cents on the dollar. Not the same as the Polaroid experience, but satisfying just the same.

Thanks for your input, guys. I think it's a case of the billows not extending fully. I took another one and it came out in focus.

BTW, I use Fujifilm FP-100C Silk, which is still available and moderately affordable. I got a box of 20 packs from ebay at quite an amazing price.

Thanks again

Great ! Hope you can post some pixs. .....