Silverbased

Here’s the detailed instructions for taking off the pivoting lens cover and flashbar holder on the Polaroid OneStep600 model shown below. Return to the rest of the steps for how to add the double-exposure kill switch.

The slight complication of this model is that there isn’t enough slack in the ribbon cable to allow you to detach the pivoting flashbar holder and lay it back on top of the body while you do the other steps.

So first, you must locate the small plastic cover piece underneath, which conceals the ribbon cable. It needs to be pried free, at the points arrowed below.

Use a knife blade from the rear to pry under the side ears of this piece, while tugging downwards. Eventually you ought to be able to pop it free.

Note the correct orientation of this piece for when you replace it.

With the cable-cover removed, there is sufficient slack in the ribbon cable to detach the pivoting flashbar-holder. Pivot it to the 45-degree position, and flex its side ears away from the camera body. (In this photo you can see the “keyhole” shape of the pivot hole, showing why the cover can only be removed when tilted to the proper angle.)

If you wish, it can be convenient to remove the flashbar holder entirely as you work on the switch mod. Fortunately the ribbon cable simply pulls out of the connector with a gentle tug. Be sure to make note which copper fingers the ribbon cable slips behind, so you can replace it correctly.

After this, proceed to the main directions, for removing the faceplate of the camera and installing the switch. To re-assemble this model, just go through these steps in reverse order (i.e. the last step is re-installing the plastic guard piece over the ribbon cable).

And Now The Embarrassing Bit

When I took apart this particular camera for the first time, I confess I thrashed at it a bit violently. And as the front finally popped open, one odd little plastic part fell out. I believe it came from the shutter-button side of the camera. But try as I could, I never figured out where it came from, or whether it is important. The camera seems to work fine without it. Possibly it’s related to the frame counter?

I would be most grateful to any reader who can explain what this does, and whether I ought to worry about it.

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