This Polaroid camera 2012.301.1006 in the Historical Society’s collection dates to the early 1960’s. The camera box has RAC written on it which means it likely belonged to the Ridgefield Archives Committee, the predecessor to the Ridgefield Historical Society. The camera weighs a little over 5 lbs. making it heavy and unwieldy. The large leather strap on the side helped the photographer hold it upright with one hand while taking the picture with the other hand.
The 24-page instruction booklet tells the photographer how to install the film and take instant pictures. It might have seemed simple at the time but reading them today, 60 years later, the directions seem complicated. There are 10 steps illustrating how to load the film, 4 steps to take the picture and then 8 steps to develop the image.
The camera’s design is impressive though and it’s fun to examine it and learn how the film was loaded and how the bellows are pulled out and then folded back into the camera after the picture has been taken.
This Polaroid camera will be on display at the Historical Society’s Scott House from March 5 to March 31. The public is welcome to come and take a look at it. Or take a picture!
