Polaroid Spectra 1200FF Film Camera

The Spectra 1200FF is a great looking camera, especially among the later Polaroids, and it has the widest angle lens of any of the cameras using the Spectra Image integral film. Unfortunately, it is just as dumbed down as most of the 600 cameras. FF stands for fixed focus, not auto focus or manual focus, fixed focus. There are two focus settings, one for regular use and one for closer (not close up). There is no self timer. There is a viewfinder. I bought the camera because I liked the look, and the larger format Spectra film, and because I am a Polaroid nut. If this is to be your only Polaroid camera I'd say pass, and look for a Spectra camera with more user controls.

I found this camera at a thrift store in perfect condition. I popped some film in and tested it, and here's what I found.

Even in bright daylight, this camera always fires the flash. This can get to be very annoying when you want to use beautiful natural light instead of the harsh flash. Other earlier Spectra cameras have a flash override switch, which lets you turn it off when you want. This camera has almost no control, besides the physical focus lens switch between normal shooting and 'close-up'.

I would not suggest this camera for anyone planning to do anything very creative with this camera. This is a camera for people who want to take advantage of the higher quality and larger format of Spectra and 1200 film, and not much else. For anyone wanting a camera with more control, I would suggest a Spectra System camera or a Spectra Pro camera. They have a lot more controllability, more features and more creative possibilities.

Pros:
Can use 1200 film, which has 12 exposures instead of only 10
Wider angle lens than previous models, captures more information
More compact than previous models
Eye-catching design

Cons:
No distance measurement information, since autofocus is non-sonar
Small viewfinder
No lighten/darken exposure control function
No flash control
No focus control/indication
No self-timer
No tripod mount
No multiple exposure support

Camera does not work, the film was about 5 years past expiration date. I was eager to use even the film that I had purchased prior to buying the camera and I merely ended up wasting it because the camera does not work.

GOOD....................................................................................................