This camera has been sold under two different names: "Spectra" and
"Image System". It was launched in 1986 and has a different, more
landscape style of film
format, 9.2x7.3 instead of 7.9x7.9 square format of 600 film. The whole
series has more exposure control possibilities than ordinary Polaroid
cameras, except the later "2" and the 1200" models (which are simple
point and shoot). The body is quite compact seen the film format and
has a Sonar
system. The series was expensive, just under $ 250 in 1986 for the
first model. More advanced Pro models followed. The Pro model was first
launched under the Minolta name, but it was built by Polaroid.
Most of these cameras have a plastic lens ("Quintic Lens"),
but some SE cameras have a lens labeled "Glass Coated Lens" rather than
"Quintic Lens". It is unclear whether this is a plastic lens with a coated glass in front of it or a glass element lens. Just to make it clear: Polaroid was capable of building
high quality plastic lenses and even to coat them, these lenses age
well. And keep in mind that modern zoom lenses have plastic elements
inside.
Features of the Image (or Spectra) model:
Lens: 125mm f/10 3-element "Quintic" or "Glass Coated Lens" Shutter: electronic; range 2.8 (6?) sec - ~1/200 sec. Exposure: programmed automatic Automatic focus, uses Polaroid Sonar AF system. Infinity focus lock control. Focus distance indicator in viewfinder. (feet or meters) Built-in automatic electronic flash. Flash fires automatically, can be switched off permanently. Built-in self timer. Socket for electronic remote control.
Some photos:
The
Polaroid Image System.
Back with quite some controls.
A later model with glass coated lens.
Seen from above.
Bottom. Tripod screw.
Front with filter holder attached and some filters.
Camera with a special effects filter set and the manuals. There was a second "creative" filter set available.
