Cambo Passport Camera
Cambo Passport Camera
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Contents
Introdu ction                           J
Model 20                                4
Model 40                                5
Model 25                                h
Model 44                                7
Model 45                                8
Camera location                         o
Seat the subject                        9
The operation distance with camera
Models 20, 40,25 and 44                 9
Basic portrait lighting technique  10/11
How to build up portrait lighting     12
The shutter seouence selector knob    13
Electronic flash illumination      14/15
Tungsten illu mination                1 6
Exposure control                      16
Depth of field                        17
How to make pictures                  17
Holder                                18
Loading                            19/21
Guide to tab pulling                  22
Accessories                        22/23
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Introduction
     The Cambo Passportrait multiple-image in-             The Models20-25 have two lenses, giving two
      stant picture camera is designed specially for       pictures on each sheet. On each camera, the
      making high quality identification pictures and      lenses are accurately matched so that, if allthe
      miniature portraits that are available to the cus-   pictures on one sheet of film are taken simulta-
     tomer moments after the exoosure is made.             neously, the images will be virtually identical.
     Time consuming and costly darkroom work is            The lens aperture is set simultaneously for all
     eliminated and, as the customer is handed his         the lenses. The between-the-lens shutters are
     prints right away, much tedious book work is          designed to give each picture the same expo-
     also made unnecessary.                                sure, either simultaneously or consecutively,
     The camera uses Polaroid Land films, both co-         as desired. The shutter speeds are 1/100 sec.
     lour and black and white.                             and 1/50 sec., and there is a "8" setting which
     There are five different models of Passportrait       enables the shutters to be kept open for any
     cameras - Model 40 - 20 - 25 - 44 and 45. Their       desired length of time. The shutters are "X"
     basic operation is identical, a'nd the Model40 is     synchronized, for use with electronic flash.
     featured throughout this book. lllustrations of       The Passportrait camera has been designed
     the other two models are also included, toge-         for the easiest possible operation. lf you follow
     ther with their major features. Wherever there        the instructions in this book you need no great
     are important differences in operation, these         photog raph ic ski ll to produ ce quality identifica-
     are pointed out.                                      tion pictures or miniature portraits.
     The Models 40 and 44-45 have four lenses and          The serial number of each camera is located
     produce four pictures on each sheet of film.          next to the triood socket.
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1.   Polaroid Land pack f ilm holder (removable)    7. Shutter cocking lever             Focusing method: Measure distance. Focus
2.   Cable release, with locking screw              8. Aperture control lever            is f ixed on subyect at distance of 1 .20 m (48 in.)
3.   Cable release socket                           9. Shutter seouence selector knob    from camera front.
4.   Shutter control lever                         10. Electronic flash contact
5.   Optical viewfinder                            11. Triood socket                     Film types used: Polaroid Series 100           Land
6.   Two 125 mm f/8 lenses                                                               pack films.
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Model 40
1. Polaroid Land pack film holder (removable)    7. Shutter cocking lever                    Focusing method: Measure distance Focus
2. Cable release, with locking screw             8. Aperture control lever                   is fixed on subject at distance of 1 .20 m (48 in.)
3. Cable release socket                          9. Shrrttersenuencc selector knOb           from camera front.
4. Shutter control lever                        10. Lens sequence numbers
5. Optical viewfinder                           11. Electronic flash contact                 Film types used: Polaroid Series 100          Land
6.   Four 125 mm   f   /8 lenses                12. Tripod socket                            oack films.
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Model 25
1.   4x5     camera back with ground glass                                        5. Optical viewfinder                         Focusing method: l,/easure distance.
     focusing screen. Will take Polaroid 4 x 5                                    6. Two 125 mm f/B lenses                      a. Focus is fixed on subject at distance     of
     Land film holder or wet-process 4 x 5 f ilm                                  7. Shutter cocking lever                           1.20 m (48 in.) from camera front.
     holders                                                                      8. Aoerture control lever                     b.   Ground glass focusing
2. Cable release, with locking screw                                              9. Shutter sequence selector knob
3. Cable release socket                                                        10. Electronic flash contact                     Film types used: Polaroid Series 50 4 x       5
4. Shutter control lever                                                       11. Triood socket                                Land film packets. Wet-process 4 x 5 f ilms may
                                                                                                                                also be used.
                                                                                                    v   8                       Format of each image: 88 x 56      nrm.
                Mike Butkus
                                      Digitally signed by Mike Butkus
                                      DN: cn=Mike Butkus, o=Butkus camera manuals, ou=butkus.org,
                                      email=mike@butkus.org, c=US
                                      Date: 2022.01.19 17:29:12 -05'00'
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Model 44
1. 4 x 5" camera back with ground        glass       5. Optical viewfinder                      Focusing method: Measure distance.
   focusrng screen. Will take Polaroid 4 x 5"        6. Four 125 mm f /B lenses                 a.   Focus is fixed on subject at distance o11.20
   Land film holder or wet-process 4 x 5" film       7. Shutter cocking lever                        m (48 in.) from camera front.
   holders                                           8. Aperture control lever                  b.   Ground glass focusrng
2. Cable release, with lockinq   screw               9. Shutter sequence selector   knob
3. Cable release socket                          10. Electronic flash contact                   Film types used: Polarotd Series 50 4 x         5"
4. Shutter control lever                         1   1. Tripod socket                           Land f ilm packets. Wet-process 4 x 5" f ilms may
                                                                                                also be used.
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Model 45
Focusing with camera Model 45                       The focusing mechanism: Loosen the focus       When you think the image has the right size,
This camera can be focused. either by               locking knob (1). Focus the camera with the    you focus with the focusing knob until the split
rangefinder or through the ground glass             focusing knob (2). When the image is sharp,    imaoe is amaloated.
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screen. Before you focus. position the camera       tighten the knob   (1   ) agatn.                I llCt IClll9UilllUUI UlrouruJ yuu ru ruuu  WilhOUt
between 1 .20 and 4 m i4 and 12 ft.) f rom the                                                     removing the 4 x 5 filmholder from the camera.
subject. lf. after focusing you find that the                                                      This gives you a quicker operation             than
image rs too smail or too large in the picture
                                                    lmage Control Model 45                         controlling on the groundglass.
area srmply move the camera closer to          or   Rangefinder control.
further away f rom the subject, and refocus.        The rangefinder has a built-in split   image
                                                    f   ocusing.
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                                                                                                            The oneratinq distance with
Camera focation                                      Seat the subject                                       camer'a Moddls 40.20,25, 44
The camera should be set up in an area which         A seat should be provided for the subject.             The focus position of the lenses is fixed. For
is specially set aside for its use. With very        Avoid chairs with high backs, as these willtend        optimum image sharpness, the distance from
simple lighting, the space need be no larger         to appear in the picture and thus create an ugly       the f ront plate of the camera to the eyes of the
than about 3 x 2 m (about 10 x7 ft.). For the        effect. A low backed chair is ideal, or a stool of a   subject should be 1.20 m (48 in.). This is most
most efficient operation, it is important that the   comfortable height will also do. The camera            easily measured with a small chain, cord or
set-up remain undisturbed and that the camera        should be set at such a height that its centre is      ribbon, one end of which is tied to the tripod
and lighting are always ready for use.               about level with, or just a little higher than, the    and the other knotted at the correct distance.
Once the camera, the subiect's chair and the         eyes of the seated subject.                            For measurement, the cord is held in a straight
lights are so positioned as to give you the                                                                 line toward the subject's face, and the camera
lighting and exposure you want, they should                                                                 is   moved until the knot    is level with   the
not be moved. The correct oosition of each                                                                  subject's eyes. Before measuring, be sure tlle
item can be marked on the floor, with masking                                                               subject is sitting as desired. Aftbr
tape or some other simple marking device.                                                                   measurement, be sure there is no subject
                                                                                                            movement before you take the picture. See
                                                                                                            also DEPTH OF FIELD, on page 17.
10
There are four basic lights that make up             (A) is the main light. lt generally casts distinct   (B) is the fill light. lts purpose is to fill the
complete portrait lighting. These are shown          shadows. lt is positioned in such a way as to        shadows cast by the main light. This lamp
and described here. The function of each             give the most pleasing and               effective   should give a diffused light, and       it should
specific lamp is basically the same, no matter       "modelling" to the face. Generally the best          generally be aimed at the subject f rom near the
whether you are using electronic flash or            position is to one side of the. camera, at           camera viewpoint. lts distance f rom the subject
tungsten lighting. For     identif   ication   and   approximately the angle shown, and pointing          must be adjusted carefully. lt should lighten the
miniature portrait photography, you can often        down at the subject's head at an angle of about      shadow areas sufficiently to permit these to be
make do with less than the full equipment            45 degrees from the horizontal.                      reproduced with some detail, but it should not
described here. See the next page, and also          To soften the shadows and minimize lines and         be brought so close as to eliminate            the
the lighting set-up sketches on page12.              wrinkles in a face, the lamp reflector can have a    shadows altogether. Under no circumstances
                                                     diffuser placed over it.                             must the fill light be permitted to cast shadows
                                                     An effective way of getting a diffused light with    of its own. Use of a large reflecting umbrella
                                                     electronic flash is to use a reflecting umbrella     with the main light can often render the fill light
                                                     (see page 14).                                       u nnecessary.
                                                     The main light should be no less than 2 m (6 to
                                                     7 ft.) from the subject.                             (C) is the rim light. lt is aimed at the subject
                                                                                                          from behind, and generally well above. lts
                                                                                                          purpose is to give a pleasing highlight to the
                                                                                                          hair, or a rim light to a shoulder. ldeally, it
                                                                                                          should be a smallfocusing spotlight. Care must
                                                                                                          be taken that it is not permitted to shine straight
                                                                                                          into the camera lens. lt must also be placed
                                                                                                          carefully, so as to provide a highlight where
                                                                                                          needed but not at the same time give an
                                                                                                          unpleasant light patch to, for example, a
                                                                                                          forehead.
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                       (D) is the background light. lt is used to              the light from the main light, and reflect it back
                       lighten the background to the desired extent. lf        into the shadows. The rim light will generally
                       the subject is a girl with long dark hair, for          not be necessary in identification or miniature
     ^w    '1
                       A brightly-lit background should not extend
                       much beyond the actual area that will be
                       included in the picture. Also, the background
                       should not be unduly reflective.
                                                                               a reflecting umbrella.
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                                                                             Main,
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                              Main.
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                                           a                                 Fiil,
                                                 \.l'/                     Rim,
                                                                    Backgrou nd.
                              Main,
                              Fiil,
                              Rim.                               \(- ,                     Q"*
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    Camera Models 4O-44-45: The knob in the            1. To take four pictures simultaneously, set        3. To make    two separate pairs of identical pic-
    centre of the camera front plate enables you to    the white dot on the knob opposite the white        tures, first set the white dot on the knob oppo-
    set the camera for shooting four identical         dot on the camera front plate. Depressing the       site the white dot on the camera front plate.
    pictures simultaneously or for making four         shutter release once will give you four identical   Cover the two top lenses with their lens caps.
    separate shots, one after the other, on a single   pictures on one piece of film. Develop the          By making one exposure, you can now take a
    piece of film.                                     picture,                                            pair of identical pictures through the lower len-
                                                                                                           ses. Do not develop yet. Move the two lens
                                                       2. fo take one picture  at a time, set the white    caps to the lower lenses. Recock the shutter,
                                                       dot on the knob opposite the lens marked 1.         and make another exposure, to give you ano-
                                                       Make an exposure and recock the shutter. Do         ther identical pair of pictures. Develop.
                                                       not develop the film yet. Rotate the knob so
                                                       that the white dot is opposite lens 2. Make an      Camera Model 2O-25: The knob and the prin-
                                                       exoosure and recock the shutter. Repeat the         ciple of its operation are as described above.
                                                       procedure, using lens 3, and then lens 4. After     With this camera you can make either one pair
                                                       having made four separate exposures,                of identical pictures simultaneously, or two se-
                                                       develop.                                            parate pictures, one after the other, on one
                                                       The lower picture indicates clearly which image     piece of film.
                                                       is made through which one of the camera
                                                       lenses.                                             CAUTION: The knob will click into the right
                                                                                                           position for each lens setting. Always followthe
                                                                                                           click positions, and never set the white dol
                                                                                                           exactly opposite the numbers on the camera
                                                                                                           front plate.
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14
For colour pictures the use of electronic flash is   1. "Bounce" flash. This is achieved when           2. Direct flash. The flash is aimed straight at
recommended. Polacolor film is balanced for          the light from the lamp does not strike the        the subject. This method is recommended
average daylight conditions (colour tempera-         subject directly, but is first reflected from a    when using less powerful flash units with
ture approximately 5500 K). Almost all electro-      large diffusing surface. Lighting umbrellas are    colourfilm, where bouncing would severely cut
nic flash units give a light with daylight colour    ideal for this purpose. Two simple and typical     the intensity of the light reaching the subject,
characteristics. Thus, no filters need be used.      bounce flash set-ups are shown. The basic          thus causing underexposure. Follow the basic
The duration of electronic flash is short enough     lighting principles described on page 10 apply.    lighting principles described on page 10.
to stop virtually any subject or camera move-        A rim light and a background light may be
menI.                                                added, if desired. Bounce flash gives a soft
Electronic flash is also definitely recommen-        light   to the subject, minimizing lines    and
ded for use with Polaroid Type '105 positi-          wrinkles and avoiding deep shadows. lt also
velNegative Land pack film, which has a speed        has the advantage of not needing absolutely
of approxim alely 75 ASA equivatent (1 9 DtN)        exact positioning     in order to achieve the
and Type 55 4 x 5 Land film, which has a soeed       precise lighting effect wanted. This also means
of approximately 50 ASA equivalent (18 DtN).         that the subject can move more without
                                                     spoiling the lighting effect-a feature which can
Two lighting techniques: Two          distinct       be particularly valuable when photographing
electronic flash techniques can be useo.             restless children.
R EFL ECTOR
        UMBRELLA
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The shutter     of the   Passportrait camera is    Neutral density filters: When you change
synchronized for electronic flash. Connect the     from 75 speed film to 3000 speed film, you can
flash synchronizing cord to the flash contact on   compensate for the higher film speed by using
the camera. The shutter can be set to '1l50 or     appropriate neutral density filters over each of
1il00   sec                                        the camera lenses.
Set the lens f-number as indicated by the guide    The Neutral Density Filter Kit will almost exactly
number of your electronic flash unit for the       compensate for the film speed change. Thus
speed of the film you are using. The guide         you can keep your camera setting and lamp
number will be in the instruction literature       distances virtually the same. lf there shou ld be
provided by the manufacturer of the flash unit.    a minor discrepancy, this can be easily correc-
This guide number will generally refer to a        ted by slightly adjusting the lamp distances.
direct flash. For bounce flash, open the lens      See ACCESSORIES on page 22 and 23.
aperture by 2 f-stops.
Make a test exposure. Correct the exposure, if
necessary, as described on page 16.
Having found the right exposure, leave the
camera, the subject's chair and the lights in
their positions. So long as you continue to use
thts set-up, your exposures should remain
satisfactorv.
to
lf most of your work with the         Passportrait       Exposure: For initial exposure determination,
camera is to be on 3000-speed (36 DIN) black             it is best to use an exposure meter. Take a
and white f ilm (or on Polaroid Type 52 or Type          readrng and then set the camera to one of the
57 Land film with the Model 45 camera),                  shtttter sneed and anprtrrrp cnmIipgligng
tungsten lighting will be adequate.                      indicated by the meter. lf the meter indicates a
Use lamps intended especially                   f   or   speed/apertu re combination for which the
photography. such as photofloods or special              camera cannot be set, then the subject is lit too
studio f loods,    mou nted in appropriate               brightly or too dimly. Bring the lights nearer to
reflectors. Keep the lamps at least 2 m (6 or 7          the subject or move them further away, until
ft ) from the subject, to avoid discomfort               the subject brightness is such that the camera
caused by both their heat and their light                can be correctly set for it. Having repositioned
rnlensrly.                                               the lights and taken another meter reading, set
                                                         the shutter and aperture as required.
Lighting technique: See BASIC PORTRAIT                   Once you have found the right exposure, leave
LIGHTING TECHNIQUE on page 10 As                         the camera. the subject's chair and the lights in
indicated there, in identif ication and miniature        their positions. So long as you continue to use
portrait photography you can generally achieve           this set-up with the same film, your exposures
excellent results with less than the f ull liohtinc      should remain satisfactorv.
r:omrrlement desr:ri bed.
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                                                                                                                                                                17
The depth of field, or the distance zone within             1. Seat the subject at approximately the            4.   Depress the shutter cocking lever.
which the subject will                 be   recorded with   correct distance from the camera. The camera
acceptable sharpness, increases as you close                and the subject's head should be at about the       5.   Set the shutter sequence selector knob, as
down the lens aperture. Thus, it is advisable to            same height. Use a chair with a low back that       described on page 13.
always use the smallest possible lens aperture              will not intrude into the picture area, or use a
(that is, the largest possible f-number).                   stool.                                              6. Now set the camera-to-subject         distance
The table shows the approximate distance                    Have the subject lean forward slightly with the     accurately (Models 40 and 20), or focus the
zone, measured from the front of the camera,                forearms resting comfortably on the legs, or on     image (Model 45),    as   page   B.
within which the subject will be recorded                   the arm rests of the chair, if it has any. This
sharply at the various f-number settings.                   posture is most flattering to the majority of       7. Carefully frame the head and shoulders       in
                                                            subjects, eliminating apparent double chins         the bright-frame viewfinder.
Approximate depth of field                                  and heavy necks.     lt is at the   same time   a
                                                            position   in which a    subject can     remain     8.   Make the exposure by depressing the cable
                    Negligible on either side               motionless for a longer period of time without      release mounted in the hand grip. (Remember
      t/8           of focused distance"                    discomfort.                                         to first remove the dark slide f rom the pack film
                                                                                                                holder.)
  t/11              1        cm. (45-51 in.)
                         15-130                             2.   Arrange your lights as you want them.
                                                                                                                9. When you have recorded four images          on
  t/16               10-140 cm. (43-54 in.)
                    '1
                                                            3. Set the shutter control lever and       the      one piece of film (two images in the case of the
                                                            aperture control lever for correct exposure.        Model 20) you are ready to develop the picture.
  f   /22           105-145 cm. (a1-57 in.)                                                                     For development with the Model 45 camera,
  t/32              100- 150 cm. (39-59 in.)                                                                    see the instruction book supplied with your
                                                                                                                Polaroid 4 x 5 Land film holder.
'The locused distance is 1.20 m (48 in.)
1B
Holder
1. dark   slide grip   Mounting the holder on the camera                 The two mounting lips on the holder fit into the
2. mounting lips       Put the holder in the right position and fasten   two brackets at the camera.
3. door latch          the holder at the camera by pushing the knobs
4. film tab slot       (A) into the mounting apertures of the holder.
5. dark slide
6. mounting aperture
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Loading
With both thumbs, snap open the door latch on     Before loading the pack film remove the steel       Also inspect and clean the narrow slot on top of
the end of the holder, and gently open it. Note   roller assembly (A) for inspection. The unit will   the holder where the yellow film tabs emerge.
that the door does not open flat. Do not try to   snap out of the holder if you apply a slight        After cleaning, push the roller assembly back
force   it.                                       upward pull at the loops. lt   is important to      into position, until it locks firmly in place.
                                                  keep these rollers clean.
Loading
1. Hold the film pack so that the black paper   3.  Push the pack gently into the holder. You   4. Make sure all the white tabs are free, as
safety cover faces the picture area.            will feel it snap into place.                   shown, and are not trapped inside the holder,
                                                                                                or under the film pack.
2. Push the closed end of the pack into the
recess (A) against spring tension, until it
comes to a firm stop.
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Loading
5. Close the holder and lock it. The spring         6.  Grip the black tab firmly and pull it straight     lf no white tab is visible, remove the holder
latch will snap into place if you press it in the   out. Pull it allthe way- it must come completely       from the camera. Carefully open the holder in
center.                                             out of the holder. When the safety cover has           subdued light and, without disturbing          or
                                                    been pulled out, a white tab (A) should stick out      moving the pack, push the white tab into the
                                                    of the small slot. Do not pull the white tab at this   opening. Close and latch the holder again.
                                                    time.                                                  Check that the white tab is protruding from the
                                                                                                           slot.
ModeltlO: The film tabs must be pulled straight       Model 25-44-45: Please see the instruction        Print Cutters will precisely trim the four and
downward from the camera. Adjust the tripod           book supplied with the Polaroid 4 x 5 Land film   two pictures made with the Models 40 and 20.
so there is ample clearance. lf the tripod       is   holder.
sturdy, there will generally be no need to hold
the camera while pulling the tabs. lf you do          Model 20: Firmly hold the camera orthe tripod,
wish to hold the camera while pulling,        it is   as described above, while pulling the tabs out
better to grip the upper part of the tripod, rather   sideways.
than the camera             .
                       itself   Never use the
viewfinder of the camera as a grip.
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Accessoires
Pack Film Holder, provided with              your    Neutral Density Filters will permit you to       Lens Shades will enhance the quality of your
Passportrait pack film camera, is also available     alternate between 75 speed and 3000 speed        portraits by reducing the effects of flare and
as a separate accessory. With           additional   film without making major changes in the         uneven illumination. They are recommended
holders of this type, you can easily interchange     exposure or the lighting.                        for use on the Models 40 and 45. Included also
films, from black and white       to   colour, for                                                    is an extender for the lens selector knob.
instance, without film wastage.                      Supplementary Lenses reduce the image
                                                     size of your Passportraits. They enable you to
                                                     include more than one person in a single
                                                     frame. Or, they can be used for other special
                                                     com position requ i rements.