paulrickards

I've been thinking about acquiring an original Polaroid SX-70 instant camera. I love the design of it, the way it folds flat and the nostalgia of the format.

Anyone have first-hand tips on what to look for (at least visually) when shopping for a vintage SX-70?

#BelieveInFilm

May 17 at 10:24pmWeb
Show threadEloshaMay 17

@paulrickards a) Try before buy, or ask for a proof that it works, as the mechanism or bellows may be broken.

b) Don't buy the cheap rangefinder version (just a window where the mirror viewfinder should be).

c) Be prepared that the image position may be slightly misadjusted even on working cameras, and know how to re-adjust your frame.

d) Order a ND filter so you can also use 600-type film.

e) SLR680/690 are not for beginners. Original SX70 is easy enough.

Show threadpaulrickardsMay 17

@elosha Very helpful, thank you!

Is the rangefinder version also the Model 3?

Show threadRealGene ☣️May 17
@elosha @paulrickards
Good luck finding film with a working Polapack battery…
Show threadpaulrickardsMay 18

@RealGene @elosha I think the 600 film packs have the batteries in them.

https://www.polaroid.com/en_us/products/color-600-instant-film

Color 600 Film | Polaroid US

Our Color 600 Film uses Polaroid’s unique chemistry to bring your shots to life in rich textures, colors, and tones. 8 photos per pack, all finished in a white frame. Each photo comes with a battery pack to power the old Polaroid 600 cameras, but is also completely compatible with the Polaroid I-2, Now, Now+, Lab, OneStep 2, and OneStep+.

Show threadLarge Format ProjectionistMay 18

@paulrickards @RealGene @elosha

That’s what he meant. New old stock might be 40 years old. Even if the image chemistry is viable, the battery won’t be.

Show threadpaulrickardsMay 18

@Benhm3 @RealGene @elosha The link is to buy new 600 film packs, not NOS. The batteries should be good to go.

https://www.polaroid.com/en_us/film/600-film

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaroid_B.V.

Buy Polaroid 600 Instant Camera Film | Polaroid US

The original Polaroid instant film bringing moments to life. Buy coloured, black and white, or special edition camera film for the Polaroid 600 series.

Show threadLarge Format ProjectionistMay 18

@paulrickards @RealGene @elosha

That’s is SO COOL!!!!

Show threadpaulrickardsMay 18

@Benhm3 @RealGene @elosha Really good documentary on how Polaroid instant film was brought back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV17iwAKnxk

The Revenge of Analog: For Those Who Are Sick of the Digital World

YouTube
Show threadGrant HutchinsonMay 18

@paulrickards I highly recommend these folks.

https://retrospekt.com/collections/polaroid-sx-70-cameras

Polaroid SX-70 Cameras

Show threadLuke Dorny May 18

@splorp @paulrickards I have one from there, Grant. It's magnificent. Chef's Kisses.

cc @scottboms

Show threadLuke Dorny May 18
@splorp @paulrickards @scottboms
Show threadpaulrickardsMay 18
@Luke @splorp @scottboms Lovely! Thanks!
Show threadScott BomsMay 18
@Luke Can plus one that recommendation. They fixed up my trusty SX-70 good as new. @splorp @paulrickards
Show threadLuke Dorny May 18
@scottboms I can’t remember which model yours was, Scott. Did you have a series SX-70?@splorp @paulrickards
Show threadScott BomsMay 18
@Luke Model 1 SX-70 plus the Sonar which was gifted to me when I visited Polaroid in Berlin. @splorp @paulrickards
Show threadBrian WarrenMay 18
@scottboms @Luke He’s got lots! Love this little section of your site, Scooter: https://scottboms.com/polaroid
Polaroid Cameras

The personal notebook and portfolio of creative director, designer, printmaker and publisher Scott Boms.

Scott Boms
Show threadLuke Dorny May 18
@bw @scottboms oh, right!!
Scott, it’s bonkers.
Show threadGrant HutchinsonMay 18
@bw @scottboms @Luke Yeah, but he doesn’t have one of these.
Show threadScott BomsMay 18
@splorp Nope. But I do have a photo of my eyeball taken with one of those.
Show threadLuke Dorny May 18
@scottboms @splorp What!!!
Show threadLuke Dorny May 18

@splorp @bw @scottboms insanity.
…say, you have the alpha series with the blue button, right? The one Dan Rubin found for me? @danrubin

https://flic.kr/p/6ccAjA

Hilarious coincidence?

Flickr
Show threadLuke Dorny May 18
@splorp @bw @scottboms @danrubin also those were good days. @jasonsantamaria https://flic.kr/p/7LCtkk
THIS is a camera

Flickr
Show threadGrant HutchinsonMay 18

@Luke @bw @scottboms @danrubin @jasonsantamaria Moar.

https://flic.kr/p/69MGNw

Loading

Flickr
Show threadLuke Dorny May 18
@splorp @bw @scottboms @danrubin @jasonsantamaria the Splorpification® of the cartridge. 💪. Heady times.
Show threadJason Santa MariaMay 18
@Luke @splorp @bw @scottboms @danrubin We should just all convene in Austin for tacos and photowalks again.
Show threadErik VorhesMay 18
@jasonsantamaria @Luke @splorp @bw @scottboms @danrubin — the world needs more of both!
Show threadGrant HutchinsonMay 19
@jasonsantamaria @Luke @bw @scottboms @danrubin Or anywhere, really.
Show threadTyler HellardMay 18
@splorp @Luke Coincidentally moved the album with these to a new drive just yesterday. 2010.
Show threadLuke Dorny May 18
@poploser @splorp Hooo, boy! Taking us way back!
Show threadGrant HutchinsonMay 19
@poploser @Luke I had no idea you were there at the same time. Am I losing my memory?
Show threadGrant HutchinsonMay 19
@poploser @Luke I am losing my memory. Gadzooks. Fifteen fucking years.
Show threadGrant HutchinsonMay 19
@poploser @Luke I mean sixteen! Gah!
Show threadCM HarringtonMay 18

@paulrickards I own an original because I’m old, and I’m a photographer ;-)

The main thing to watch put for is the bellows. It’s super fragile (but feels so good to touch). Check the accuracy of the light metre.

Show threadCM HarringtonMay 18
@paulrickards oh, and the expansion/collapse mechanism is fragile. Make sure it doesn’t bind up when you transform it.
Show threadpaulrickardsMay 18
@octothorpe Great tips-- thanks!
Show threadJ. BlakeMay 18
@paulrickards I can recommend Retrospekt also. They repaired one of my eBay SX-70 purchases and did an amazing job. And their iPod refurbs are excellent.
Show threadKirk JacksonMay 18

@paulrickards easy to understand and repair, but limited in the number of pictures that can be taken (and the subject matter!):

https://www.lego.com/en-nz/product/polaroid-onestep-sx-70-camera-21345

Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera 21345 | Ideas | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop NZ

Vintage Polaroid camera model for creative building

Show threadSteve DallapeMay 18
Mine is a display model only, as film is too dear and hard to get, but it's a lovely object nonetheless. I acquired it from my mother-in-law, it had been purchased new by her and stored since. The leather accents were dry and cracked, but I found some online to replace them.