Polaroid Spirit Lebenoid

The Polaroid Spirit Lebenoid is a camera from Polaroid. It is an instant photo camera. It was presented to the public in the 1980s. The range of functions of the model is the same as the Polaroid OneStep 600. On the side of the black case is the logo of the French company Lébénoïd.

The Polaroid Spirit Lebenoid is characterized by its user-friendly features. The common camera setting options are not available on this camera. This allows it to be used by non-technical users and makes it ideal for many occasions. For example, weddings or parties would be good areas of application for the camera. However, it can also be a lot of fun on vacation.

No changes to the exposure settings are possible. Aperture and shutter speed, for example, cannot be changed by the user. The Polaroid instant camera is equipped with a fixed lens. The lens does not have a zoom function. Instead, you simply have to move the camera closer to the subject. For razor-sharp photos, a minimum distance of 120 cm to the subject should be ensured.

In low light conditions, a flash bar can be connected to the camera. The search for a connection for a tripod thread on the camera is unsuccessful. Is there a self-timer function? No, there is no such function.

Films for the Polaroid Spirit Lebenoid

If you want to use the Polaroid camera, you need the instant films that go with it. Due to various incidents, the American company Polaroid has stopped the film production. However, in the meantime, you can find suitable films on the shelves of stores again, both online and offline.

There is a film for color photos, but also a film for monochrome pictures available. For color photos with the instant camera, you can reach for the Polaroid Color Film for 600*. To create black and white images, you can reach for the Polaroid B&W Film for 600*. Both instant films perform well in test reports.

Eight unexposed shots can be found in one box. The film material is very light-sensitive and should therefore not come into contact with light before the actual exposure. For storing unused film material, one should look for a cool and dry place.

As specified in the standard, an image is 10.8 x 8.8 cm. The 600 cameras produce square images measuring 7.7 by 7.7 cm. All the remaining space of the Polaroid picture is white. Also available are editions of the Polaroid films with colorful frames.

There is no compatibility with the films by Fujifilm.

Batteries

What type of battery is needed for the Polaroid Spirit Lebenoid? The power supply unit of the camera is a battery located in the film cassette. So changing the film is also changing the battery. Another battery is not needed for the camera.

If the camera with film has been stored for a long time, the battery may have discharged. Consequently, the camera may no longer function as it should. As a solution, you need to replace the inserted film with fresh material.

Manual for the Polaroid Spirit Lebenoid

How to use the instant camera? An instruction manual on how to use the instant camera.

The first thing to do is to load the film. To do this, open the film door by pushing the slider on the side of the housing forward. Then insert the film cassette and close the flap again. The protective plastic film of the film is automatically ejected.

Now you can start taking pictures. The subject can be aimed through the viewfinder. On the side is then the shutter release for taking pictures. The drive inside the housing transports the image out of the film cassette. In the process, it passes through two image rollers that distribute the developing chemicals onto the image. Within a few minutes, the development is complete and the image can be viewed.

Alternative Models

If you can’t find this model, you could turn to alternatives. Two nice options would be the Polaroid OneStep Express* and Polaroid OneStep Flash*. These instant cameras are either functionally identical or offer a similar range of features. They are also both for the 600 format and require the same films.

You may also want to reach for other instant cameras as an alternative. Two instant cameras that are not from Polaroid are the Instax Mini EVO* and Instax Mini 11*. The matching film stock is also still being manufactured.