Polaroid Now Gen 3 Outer Lens Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 0

Polaroid Now Gen 3 Outer Lens Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a cracked or damaged outer lens in your Polaroid Now+ (Gen 3) instant camera.

If you see marks in the same spot on your photos or if they appear distorted (and you tried cleaning the lens), you may need to replace the outer lens.

You can also use this guide to clean the outer lens.

Tools

Step 1

If you have any film left, take some photos! Then remove the cartridge. Disassembly will expose any leftover film.
Before you begin:
Unplug and fully power down your camera.
Put on the lens cap to avoid scratching your lens during disassembly.

Step 2

Throughout this guide, directional words (front, back, left, right) are from the perspective of using the camera—or when the lens faces away from you.
Hold down the latch on the left side of the camera and open the film door.

Step 3

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 5.9 mm‑long screw securing the rear shell.
The screw is hidden inside the camera on the back edge—you may need to use a flashlight to see it, as well as a skinny, long‑shank screwdriver to reach it.
Be careful when removing your screwdriver, as the screw can easily fall inside the camera. If it does, hold the camera above your work surface and gently shake it so the screw falls out.

Step 4

Insert the flat edge of an opening pick in the seam between the front and rear shells, just above the USB‑C port on the right edge.
Use your pick to pry the rear shell away from the front shell.
Keep the inserted edge of the pick pointed toward the rear shell when separating it. This helps release the tight plastic clips holding them together.

Step 5

You should feel and hear distinct "clicks" as the clips release. If you don't, try again—it may take multiple attempts.
Slide your pick around the top right corner and along the top edge to release the clips.

Step 6

Continue sliding your pick along the top edge, around the top left corner, and down the left edge to release the clips. Stop when you get to the film door latch.

Step 7

Gently flip the camera over, making sure none of the clips re‑engage.

Step 8

Remember to keep the inserted edge of the pick pointed towards the rear shell.
Insert your opening pick in the seam near the USB‑C port and slide it around the corner and along the bottom edge to release the remaining clips.

Step 9

Removing the rear shell in the next step exposes the camera mirror. Be careful not to smudge it or get any debris on it. If you accidentally do, use a lint‑free cloth to gently wipe the mirror clean.

Step 10

Gently pull the rear shell off the main body of the camera.
The shell should slide off easily. If it doesn't, check to see if any clips re‑engaged and use your opening pick to release them.
During reassembly:
Press the shell firmly onto the main body so all the clips engage.
You should feel and hear distinct "clicks" as the clips engage.
Check around the shell seam and make sure there are no gaps. If there are, firmly press the shells together to engage the clip near the gap.

Step 11

The capacitor in your camera holds an electrical charge and can deliver a potentially dangerous electric shock if you touch the boards incorrectly.
To minimize risk, avoid touching the boards, wires, and other exposed components with your fingers or metal tools. Consider wearing rubber gloves if working near the board.

Step 12

Use your fingers to remove the piece of tape securing the battery and its cables (just below the viewfinder).
Put the piece of tape aside—you'll use it during reassembly.

Step 13

Disconnecting the sub‑board cable makes battery removal easier and prevents accidentally damaging the cable or its delicate connector.
Use a spudger to flip up the hinged locking flap on the sub board ZIF connector.
Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to gently pull the cable straight out of its socket.

Step 14

Gently slide the battery out of its plastic housing.
Don't try to fully remove the battery yet, as it's still connected by a delicate cable.

Step 15

Firmly grip the larger end of the plastic battery connector with one hand and the battery's cable in the other—grip the battery cable as close to the connector as possible.
Pull the battery cable straight away from the connector to disconnect it.
Be very careful not to strain the cables.
Remove the battery.

Step 16

Flip your camera over so the bottom is facing up.

Step 17

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 3 mm‑long film door hinge screws (one on either side of the camera).

Step 18

Open the film door and place a clean cloth in the compartment.
This prevents the door from re‑securing while detaching the hinges.

Step 19

The small, plastic grommets inside the film door hinges can easily fall off during this step. Don't lose them—you'll need them for reassembly.
Use the flat end of a spudger to push one of the film door hinges away from the camera and off its post.
Repeat the process to detach the other hinge.
Hold the film door steady so the already detached hinge doesn't slide back into place.

Step 20

Check to see if either of the small, plastic hinge grommets stayed on their posts.
If they did, remove them and set them aside.

Step 21

Lift the film door and remove it.
At this point, you can remove the cloth from the film door compartment.
During reassembly:
Make sure there are grommets installed in the film door hinges. To install them, press the grommets into the film door hinges, with the wide end facing in.
Hook one of the hinges on its post and then push the other one into place until it snaps over its post.

Step 22

Flip the camera over and position it so the lens is facing away from you.

Step 23

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the front shell:
Two 5.9 mm‑long screws hidden in recesses on the left and right sides (one near the battery recess and one with a cutout in the main board)
You may need a flashlight to see the screws, as well as a skinny, long‑shank screwdriver to reach the one with a cutout in the main board.
One 5.4 mm‑long screw on the top edge of the main board

Step 24

Plastic clips loosely secure the top and bottom edges of the front shell.
With the right side of the camera facing up, hold the main body of your camera in one hand and the front shell in the other.
Holding the camera with the right side up helps prevent the white plastic gear from falling out when removing the shell.
Gently squeeze the sides of the front shell to release the clips and pull the shell off the main body of the camera.

Step 25

Remove the metal film‑door lever and the larger white gear on the right side of the camera and put them aside—you'll need them for reassembly.
Removing these pieces now prevents them from falling out while working on the camera.
During reassembly, follow this guide to reinstall the film door lever and right gear.

Step 26

Use a spudger to lift the hinged locking‑flap on the light sensor cable ZIF connector (the cable is attached to the outer lens).
Use a pair of tweezers to gently pull the cable straight out of its socket.

Step 27

The outer lens has three clips—one on the top, one on the left, and one on the bottom.
Use your finger to lift the top clip and pull it towards the front of the camera until it detaches.

Step 28

Use a spudger to carefully push the inner lens up and out of the way so you have access to the bottom clip on the outer lens.
The inner lenses should snap up and stay in place on their own.

Step 29

The bottom clip on the outer lens is somewhat hidden. You may need to use a flashlight to see it.
Use a spudger to push the bottom clip down and away from the camera until it detaches.
Don't push too hard or you may break the clip. If you're having trouble, reposition the spudger and try again.

Step 30

Remove the outer lens.
With the top and bottom clips released, the outer lens comes out easily—you don't need to release the left clip.
During reassembly:
With the cable on the bottom edge, press the outer lens over the inner lens until it clicks into place.
Use the two tabs along the top edge to make sure the lens is properly aligned.
Make sure the larger cutout on the cable goes over its alignment post.

Step 31

Check if your replacement lens has a light sensor installed.
If it doesn't, carefully remove it from your original lens and transfer it to the new one.
The cable is lightly glued in place and should come off easily.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Spencer Day

Member since: 14/09/22

117606 Reputation

Polaroid Now Gen 3 Outer Lens Replacement

Introduction

Tools

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