Polaroid 636 Closeup

The Polaroid 636 Closeup is an instant camera. The functions are identical to the Polaroid One Step (rounded corners). It is designed for the 600 format of the American company.

The Polaroid 636 Closeup is very easy to use. You don’t need a manual to press the shutter button, the camera takes care of the rest.

The exposure time and aperture are automatically set by the instant camera with the help of the light meter. Lighter and darker instant pictures are possible with the light/dark control. There is no zoom or autofocus.

The camera has a built-in flash. An external flash cannot be connected to the camera. Of course, it is possible to trigger an external flash by firing the built-in flash. The problem here is the lack of control over the camera’s exposure settings.

Its namesake, is the close-up lens, which can be slid in front of the actual lens. The close-up lens allows a shorter distance to the subject.

The 636 does not have a tripod socket. The camera is not suitable for long exposures.

The side of the camera with the shutter release and the film flap lever

The back with the frame counter, viewfinder and imprint of the country of manufacture (United Kingdom)

Films are again provided for the Polaroid 636 Closeup by The Impossible Project after Polaroid ended production. The new films will also be sold again with the original logo of the photo pioneer since 2020. Color pictures can be taken with the Polaroid Color Film for 600*. For monochrome photos, there is the Polaroid B&W Film for 600*.

The frame counter on the back shows the remaining shots. With the new films, the film has to be changed already at “2”. The reason for this is that there are only eight, instead of ten frames in a pack.

The batteries for the flash and the camera are in the film cassette where the pictures are.

The original packaging

Polaroid Easy 636 Closeup

The camera is identical, but comes with an “Easy” imprint.