I-type Converted Polaroid Impulse

The Polaroid Impulse is a classic instant camera designed for 600 film. However, with a simple modification, you can also use i-Type film, a cheaper and more eco-friendly option without a built-in battery in every pack of film. This simple guide explains how to adapt your Impulse to work with both film types, giving you more flexibility and saving on costs.

Materials

1. Polaroid impulse camera
2. 4 rechargeable 1,5v or 2 rechargeable 3,2v AAA format batteries
3. battery holder compatible with amount of batteries with switch
4. double-sided tape or glue

Tools

1. soldering iron
2. soldering tin
3. some kind of separating tool, I'm using a small flathead screwdriver

The camera is made out of 3 plastic shells that are held together with clips. For this modification you need to remove the bottom shell behind the film door.

This shell is held in place by 2 clips on each side of the camera as seen in the picture. You can use some kind of wedge to put between the 2 shells and unclip all the clips. Be careful in this step because of the age of the camera, the plastic can be very brittle and likely to break under too much pressure but quite a bit of pressure is needed to unclip the clips.

Note: the mechanism of the switch to open the film door could give a little trouble in separating the 2 plastic shells.

Looking at the bottom of the camera you will see the two battery contacts. The left for positive and right for negative. The battery holder will be soldered to these contacts later.

1. To lead the wires to the inside of the camera we need to make a hole in the camera. There are two holes near the bottom of the panel that you removed from the camera. These were used for troubleshooting back in the day but we will use them to lead the wire to the inside. By poking a hole through the rubber, we can access one of the holes to pull the wire through. Another option is to drill a hole through the body of the camera.

1. While doing this step I also recommend removing the spring from the panel. This spring was originally intended to stop other film packs than 600 film to enter the camera. This spring prevents I-type film packs to enter the camera. While it is possible to insert I-type film with the spring still in the camera, it will a lot more difficult.

1. First route the wires of the battery holder through the hole made in the previous step. The solder them to the corresponding contacts as seen on the image above.

1. You can now test the camera by putting batteries in the holder and pop up the flash of the camera without any film inside. The battery holder works correctly when you see the light next to the battery holder turn green.

1. When you have soldered the wires to the contact you can put the panel back on the camera. Make sure you insert the button for the door first before you push the panel back on.

1. When the panel is back in place the battery holder anywhere on the camera where you like and secure it with either glue or double-sided tape. I choose to secure it on the back of the camera for aesthetic reasons and secured it using double-sided tape for a less permanent fix so I can troubleshoot the camera whenever something breaks.

Try loading the camera up with I-type film and start shooting!

The film should behave exactly as the 600-film intended for the impulse camera since it has the exact same chemicals.

Be aware that you should keep de battery holder off when no film is inserted otherwise the motor will keep running. Only turn the battery holder on after film is inserted.