Chapter 25

Close-Up Lens, Creative Effects Filters, Remote Control And How To

There are two main types of the close-up lens that can be
easily attached to your instant print camera. The first one is
the type that could be attached to such cameras as Minolta
Instant PRO or Spectra, the second one is the type that is
designed for such cameras as ProCam.
Photographing small objects with the close-up lens designed
for Minolta Instant PRO and Spectra systems allows you to remain
with your camera up to 10 inches (25.4cm) from the object to be
photographed, as it was done when photographing this wood carving
of the native American, the bronze made Oriental figurine and the
statuette of this Irish Elf. An image that shows an object at
half of its actual size, can be easily produced by the lens that
could be easily attached to the front of the these instant film
cameras. This lens opens up for you a whole new, and often
undiscovered miniature world around you. Nature, as well as some
other fields of photography that require a close-up approach,
have become possible only with the invention of the close-up
lens. Whether you would like to photograph beautiful autumn
leaves, flowers at the nearby meadows, the butterflies that
pollinate them, fluttering from flower to flower, cub-webbed or
mist-covered plants, an old wrist-watch inner mechanism, small
antique toys, oriental boxes, coins and stamps, holiday
memorabilia, ornaments, textures, shapes, or any other
interesting and small object that could be an exciting subject
matter as an example of the world in miniature, the close-up lens
is the right choice for the task at hand.
Avoid touching any of the lens surfaces and always keep it
clean in the pouch or case that it was provided with, and the
lens will bestow you with excitement of the world of the close-up
photography. It is easy to attach to and detach the lens from
your camera. If you grip the tab at the bottom of the lens and
tilt the top of the lens towards your camera, fitting it into the
groove located above the camera lens, and then swinging the lens
down, push the tab in snapping the lens into place, you will be
able to easily attach the close-up lens to the camera. Make sure
that the lens is secured in place. Reverse the procedure in order
to detach the lens, and you are in business. Never try to close
the camera with the lens in place, for it might permanently
damage your camera. Always make sure that the lens has been
detached before closing the camera.
Taking a close-up picture with the two camera systems
mentioned above, Minolta Instant Pro and Spectra, is a quite
pleasant photographic experience, that is made the close-up
photography easy. Provided with a special rubber knob which is
attached to a measuring cord that is also automatically rewound
that measures the lens' distance to the object to be
photographed, the close-up lens, earlier attached to and the
camera itself, must remain steady and firm at the exact distance
positioned the lens there earlier, after the measurement taken
with the measuring cord.
ProCam close-up lens is designed differently from the close-
up lenses that are designed for such systems as Spectra or
Minolta Instant PRO, nevertheless, it serves the same function,
bringing the large and small world surrounding us closer to you.
The lens makes this unique world to be looked at in close-up.
Always avoid touching, scratching or any other damages to the
glass parts of the lens, for it might permanently damage the
accessory. Indeed, you will be rewarded after using it by being
provided with a very sharp quality resolution for such a small
device as this lens is. It allows your subject to be from 10 to
14 inches (25 to 35cm) from the position of the camera with lens
attached to it. Providing a magnification of approximately 0.4x.
It is not necessary to remove the lens before closing the camera,
it can remain on if you are going to continue using it right
away, otherwise, the lens could be easily detached from the front
of the camera. It is basically as easy as snapping it on and off.
Make sure that the close-up lens is securely attached to the
camera after being snapped on. See the instructions manual for
more details, if having any difficulties attaching the device,
otherwise it should be as easy for you as one, two, three. To
take a close-up picture, you need to measure the appropriate
distance from your subject to your camera, or reversibly, from
your camera to your subject. As I have mentioned above, keep the
camera to subject distance of 10-14 inches (25 to 36cm). If you
stretch the shoulder strap, provided with the camera taut,
placing the metal rivet on the strap at your subject's position,
you can frame and compose the subject, and then drop the strap,
steadily and firmly continue holding the camera at the just
measured distance. Now you can take a picture, which will show
your subject in 0.4x magnification.