Polaroid Go Manual

Product Overview

1. Shutter Button
2. Lens
3. Viewfinder & Selfie Mirror
4. Flash | Self-timer | Double Exposure Button
5. Film Door Button
6. Flash
7. ON | OFF Button
8. Film Counter Display
9. Wrist Strap Loop
10. Photo Eject Slot
11. Battery Level Indicator LED | Charging Port

Film Counter Display

The film counter display provides a lot of information about your camera: from how many photos are left to battery level and errors.

Display	This means:
Unlit	Camera is off
●	Flash ready If no period (.), then flash is off.
● (flashing)	Flash charging
0	No film
0 (flashing)	No film
1	One photo remaining
1 (flashing)	Exposure 1 of double exposure
2	Two photos remaining
2 (flashing)	Exposure 2 of double exposure
3	Three photos remaining
4	Four photos remaining
5	Five photos remaining
6	Six photos remaining
7	Seven photos remaining
8	Eight photos remaining
d o o r	Film door is open
	Eject film animation

Flash | Self-timer | Double Exposure Button

How to activate different features with the one button.

Getting Started

1. Open the box and check you have the following items:
   1. Polaroid Go Camera
   2. Micro USB Charging Cable
   3. Quick Start Guide
   4. Wrist Strap
2. Charge the camera
   For safe transportation, the Polaroid Go won't be fully charged when you receive it. To charge it, plug the micro USB end of the charging cable into the side of the camera, and the USB-A side into a USB wall charger (5V/1A). We don't recommend charging via a laptop.
   The battery level indicator LED will blink green while the camera is plugged in and charging. This LED will turn off once the camera is fully charged. A full charge through a wall socket takes about 2 hours. A fully charged Polaroid Go will have enough power to shoot 15 packs of film, depending on usage. Remember to turn off the camera when you're not using it to save battery life
3. Attach the wrist strap
   
   
4. Shop instant film
   This camera uses Polaroid Go instant film.

How To Take Your First Photo

1. Turn on the Polaroid Go
   Press the ON | OFF button until the film counter display lights up. This display will show how many photos are left. It should be at '0' because there is no film in the camera.
2. Insert your film pack
   Slide the film door button across and pull the door open. Match the color on the film cassette with the color indicated on the camera. Hold the cassette on either side to prevent damaging the chemistry pods. Slide the thick end of the cassette in first and let it drop into place. Leave the pull tab on, as you will need that later to remove the empty film pack. Close the film door until it clicks. The darkslide covered by the film shield will eject. Remove the darkslide and allow the film shield to roll back in. This retractable shield is designed to protect photos from light as they develop, so don't remove it. If the darkslide has not ejected, remove the film pack and reinsert it. To ensure the camera displays the correct number of photos, always finish the film pack before inserting a new one. If you decide to switch packs anyway, be aware that this will expose all the photos to light, and they will be unusable.
3. Set the flash mode
   In any situation where you are not shooting in bright, direct sunlight, we recommend using the flash to achieve the best shots. That's why the flash will trigger by default every time you press the shutter button. When the flash is on, a period (.) will appear next to the number on the film counter display. If you want to turn it off—because you're outside on a bright day or want to play with another light source—press the flash button. The period on the film counter display will now disappear
4. Position yourself
   Make sure you are at least 45cm (1.47ft) away from your subject.
5. Aim the camera at your subject.
   The Polaroid Go uses a viewfinder located on the left side of the lens barrel. To aim at your subject, align your eye with the viewfinder barrel and use the image you see to help compose your shot. Be aware that your photo will not reflect exactly what you see through the viewfinder. For subjects closer than 1.2m (5.24ft), adjust your aim slightly up and to the left. It's possible to focus on your subject, and then recompose your frame. To do this, half-press the shutter button to lock focus and exposure. Adjust your composition, and then fully press the shutter button to take the photo. Be careful not to cover the flash, ranging sensors (that sit below the flash), and the photo eject slot with your fingers.
6. Press the shutter button
   The photo will eject from the slot at the front of the camera as soon as you let go of the shutter button. You will see that the photo will be covered with a film shield to protect it from light.
7. Remove the photo
   Leave your photo under the film shield for about 5 seconds. Gently lift the film shield so it rolls back into the camera. Remove the photo and place it face down to continue shielding it from light as it develops. Don't shake it! Check the back of your film packet for the correct developing times.
8. Turn the camera off
   Press the ON | OFF button to turn off the Polaroid Go.

How To Use Light To Take Great Photos

Light is your best friend when it comes to analog instant photography, so we recommend to almost always use the flash. The Polaroid Go flash reaches 2m (6.56ft), so if your subject is further, your flash photo may turn out too dark. If you're outdoors and your subject is beyond the flash range, we recommend keeping the flash off. This will prevent the camera from adjusting its aperture, resulting in an underexposed photo. If it's a sunny day outdoors, let the sun be your light source. Position yourself so the sun is behind you, face your subject side-on to avoid a shadow, turn the flash off, and keep the camera as steady as possible.

Special Features

Selfie Mirror
The Polaroid Go includes a built-in selfie mirror. To use it, hold the camera in your left hand and compose your selfie using the mirror on the right of the camera. Try to position the camera about 45cm (1.47ft) away from you. Press the red shutter button to take your photo.

Self-timer
Get everyone in the photo with the Polaroid Go self-timer. Hold the self-timer button for >2 seconds. The orange LED below the flash on the front of the camera will turn on. Once you have framed your photo, press the shutter button. The orange LED will blink to indicate the selftimer countdown. You have 9 seconds before the photo is taken. If you change your mind, you can cancel the self-timer by holding it down again for >2 seconds. To take a self-timer photo without the flash, activate the self-timer first. Now hold the same button for <1 second to disable the flash. Take your photo.

Double Exposure
Combine two exposures in the one photo with the double exposure feature. Double tap the double exposure button to start. The film counter display will blink '1'. You can now take your first exposure. It will then blink '2' as a signal to take your second exposure.

Charging

Above the micro USB slot sits the battery level indicator LED. To check battery level, turn the camera on, and match the LED with the table below.

To charge the camera, plug the micro USB end of the charging cable into the side of the camera, and the USB-A side into a USB wall charger (5V/1A). We don't recommend charging via a laptop. A full charge through a wall socket usually takes about 2 hours. The LED light tells you how much charge is remaining.

Cleaning

When you take a Polaroid photograph, the film is pushed through two metal rollers. This is where the developer paste is spread between the negative and positive components of the photograph. If these rollers are dirty, the chemistry will not spread evenly, and can cause small marks on your developed photo. When your camera has no film, turn it off and open the film door. Look for two metal rollers near the film eject slot. Position a soft, damp cloth over the rollers, and hold the flash and shutter buttons together to make them turn. Be careful that the cloth doesn't cause a jam. Make sure the rollers are dry before you use your camera again. We recommend checking the rollers between every pack of film, and to clean them every 2-3 packs. To clean the lens, use a microfiber cloth. This will avoid scratches and material particles that may impact the quality of your photos.

Troubleshooting

1. My device won't eject my photo or darkslide

Make sure the camera is charged. The battery level indicator LED will blink red if it doesn't have enough charge to operate. If this is the case, recharge your camera then try again. Still having trouble? Check how many photos you have left. If the film counter display shows '0', this means that there are no photos left in the film pack.

2. The flash doesn't fire when I take a photo

The Polaroid Go has a default flash, so it switches on as soon as you turn on the camera. If it's not firing, press the flash button for <1 second until you see a period appear (.) on the film counter display. Be careful that your finger doesn't accidentally turn off the flash when it's aiming for the shutter button.

3. My photo turned out too dark

There are a few potential solutions for this. If you're using the flash, make sure you don't accidentally cover it with your fingers. · If you're shooting outside, avoid directing the camera towards the sun. Excessive light may cause the camera to overcompensate when exposing the photo, making it too dark. · If you're taking photos inside, remember that the Polaroid Go has a flash limit of 2m (6.56ft). If your subject is beyond that, your photo may also turn out too dark. If you don't want to use the flash, find another light source. · If you're half-pressing the shutter button to play with your composition, remember that half-pressing also locks exposure, not just focus. So the camera will base exposure on the first light reading.

4. My photo turned out blurry or fuzzy

Make sure you are at least 45cm (1.47ft) away from your subject. When shooting, hold the camera steady (especially in low light conditions), use a strong light source to illuminate your subject, and keep your fingers away from the camera's sensors, which are positioned under the flash.

5. The film counter display shows the wrong number

The display resets to '8' each time a cassette is inserted. If a partially used cassette is inserted, the camera will display '8' and count down as each photo is taken. When you next insert a full film pack, the counter will correctly show '8' remaining photos.

6. I took the first shot of a double exposure photo, but I changed my mind.
   Switch off your camera, and then press and hold down the shutter button. Switch on the camera again and the film count will display '-'. Continue to hold the shutter button for over 10 seconds until the film is ejected.
7. I've opened the film door by accident Now what?
   These things happen. This means your next photograph may now be overexposed. Take a photo to remove it from the pack. Take another to see if the rest of your film is in good condition. If not, insert a new film pack.

Can't find what you're looking for?
Browse our frequently asked questions.

Customer Support

We're here to help.
Get in touch using the details below.

USA/Canada
usa@polaroid.com
+1 212 219 3254

Europe/Rest of World
service@polaroid.com
00 800 577 01500

Polaroid International B.V.
1013 AP Amsterdam
The Netherlands

For more detailed and up-to-date information visit polaroid.com/help.

Technical Specifications

General
Dimensions
105mm (L) × 83.9mm (W) × 61.5mm (H)

Weight
242 grams (without film pack)

Operating Temperature
40–108°F / 4–38°C,
5–90% relative humidity

Compatible Film
Polaroid Go film.

Battery
High performance lithium-ion battery,
750mAh, 3.7V nominal voltage, 2.7Wh

Materials
Outer shells
Polycarbonate + ABS plastics

Lens
Polycarbonate resin

Optical System
Lens
Fixed focus lens

Focal length
51.1mm

Field of view
Diagonal 65.1°, horizontal 48.1°, vertical 49.1°

Shutter speed
1/250-1.0 sec

Aperture
F12 and F52

Flash System
Vacuum discharge tube strobe

Safety Information

Risk of electric shock — Do not open/Disassemble the motorized roller system

• Do not disassemble the device. Incorrect reassembly can cause electrical shock if the device is used again.
• Do not immerse the device in water or other fluids.
• Do not operate the device in a high humidity environment or very dusty environments.
• Do not attempt to tamper with, adjust or remove the battery and/or the electronics located below the rollers behind the device's film door.
• Do not attempt to remove the door itself as it is connected electronically to the body of the device. Doing so is unsafe, will likely damage your device, and will void your warranty.
• Do not insert metal objects into the device.
• Do not insert any objects into the rollers or gears.
• Keep small children and infants away from device to avoid them being injured by the device's moving parts.
• Do not use or store the device near any heat source or any type of equipment that generates heat, including stereo amplifiers.
• Do not use the device near flammable or explosive gases.
• Do not charge the device if you notice any unusual odors, noise or smoke.
• Do not cover the flash.

Battery & Charger

• This device uses a custom lithium-ion battery that is non-removable and mounted inside the camera body. No other type of battery can be used. Battery replacement can only be done by authorized service centers. The battery will provide many years of service if properly used.
• Power consumption varies depending on the environment the device is used in and how the device has been stored. Used immediately after full charge, the battery will power the processing of up to 15 film packs.
• Once the battery energy level falls below a certain level, the device will no longer process film. The LED will blink and signal when it needs to be recharged. This is to avoid a photo getting stuck as it is being processed through the roller system.
• The rechargeable battery is not fully charged at the time of purchase. Charge the battery fully with the USB charging cable (provided). This usually takes 1,5 hours (can vary depending on usage).
• The supplied battery charging cable has been tested to work with the Apple iPhone power adaptors. While it can be used in other USB ports e.g. computer, USB power adaptors, TVs, cars etc., correct operation cannot be guaranteed.
• When the device is no longer in use, please recycle it properly.

Usage Environment

• To protect the high-precision technology contained in this device, never leave the camera in the following environments for extended periods of time: high temperature (+42°C/108°F), high humidity, places with extreme changes in temperature (hot and cold), direct sunlight, sandy or dusty environments such as beaches, damp places, or places with strong vibrations.
• Do not drop the device or subject it to severe shocks or vibrations.
• Do not push, pull or press on the lens surface.

Stickers

• Do not place the stickers on any parts of the Polaroid Go that are involved in the process of taking and ejecting a picture.

Polaroid International B.V.
1013 AP Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Documents / Resources

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download Polaroid Go Manual