Would you buy a Polaroid SX-70?

madNbad · May 15, 2022

Also, thanks to everyone who has replied. The SX-70 was a major step forward in instant photography when introduced to the public in the early 1970s. Much like the Impossible Projects starts and stumbles, the early films from Polaroid underwent a long period of sparodic improvements. I remember the emulations you could manipulate with a pen or your finger. The new Polaroid films will continue to improve but with the new ecological standards, will always have some shortcomings. I’m not quite ready to run out a buy another let.

chriscrawfordphoto · May 15, 2022

madNbad said:
If Chris is using one, there’s hope for the reimagined Polaroid!
The ability to keep the prints in subdued light while they develop has been mentioned both on the packaging and by users posting here. I’m surprised no one’s come up with a gizmo to stash them in while they finish developing. The frog tounge protects the print as it emerges from the camera but what do you do with it in the meantime?

When I shoot with mine, I wear a photo vest or a jacket with a large pocket that opens at the top of the pocket. I keep one of these boxes inside it with the inner box turned so it is open at the top. When I shoot a photo, I immediately slide it into the pocket and into the box. When I'm done shooting, I close the box and go home; they're usually fully developed by the time I get back, and they've been in darkness most of that time.

chriscrawfordphoto · May 15, 2022

madNbad said:
Also, thanks to everyone who has replied. The SX-70 was a major step forward in instant photography when introduced to the public in the early 1079s. Much like the Impossible Projects starts and stumbles, the early films from Polaroid underwent a long period of sparodic improvements. I remember the emulations you could manipulate with a pen or your finger. The new Polaroid films will continue to improve but with the new ecological standards, will always have some shortcomings. I’m not quite ready to run out a buy another let.

The old SX-70 that you could manipulate was awesome; it was still available in the late 1990s and I did a number of photos with it.

Huss · May 15, 2022

chriscrawfordphoto said:
I just bought one about a month ago from Retrospekt; they serviced it and converted it to use 600 film. It was not cheap, but it "Just Works" unlike many of them for sale on eBay, and it uses the 600 film, which makes handholding easier in lower light levels. The film is pretty good today; I have shot a ton of it in the last month and have not gotten any images ruined by manufacturing defects. The stuff is quite contrasty; I don't remember the original 600 film made by the real Polaroid company being that contrasty. Like you, I got rid of my Polaroid cameras after the old Polaroid went under. I had an SX-70 and an SLR-690. Wish I'd kept them!

Love the hose pic. They should use that to sell the film - paying u of course!

Huss · May 15, 2022

chriscrawfordphoto said:
The old SX-70 that you could manipulate was awesome; it was still available in the late 1990s and I did a number of photos with it.

Awesome!

madNbad · May 15, 2022

If I’m correct, it was both the original and the Time Zero films could be manipulated. That disappeared when the 600 speed film became dominant.

madNbad · May 15, 2022

chriscrawfordphoto said:
The old SX-70 that you could manipulate was awesome; it was still available in the late 1990s and I did a number of photos with it.

That’s some great work, Chris. Thanks for the photo of less than sneaky cat.

chriscrawfordphoto · May 15, 2022

madNbad said:
If I’m correct, it was both the original and the Time Zero films could be manipulated. That disappeared when the 600 speed film became dominant.

The SX-70 manipulation I posted was done on the Time Zero film made in the late 1990s. The intro of 600 film in the early 80s ended production of SX-70 cameras, but Polaroid kept making SX-70 compatible film until at least 2000. I was still buying it new then at places like Walgreens.

Sneaky has been a challenge to photograph on Polaroid because the loud sound of the camera's mirror moving makes him move. I've gotten several good ones, though.

Andrew O'Neill · May 15, 2022

As soon as the print comes out of the camera, it goes in an empty 4x5 film box, and in a pocket or side bag.

mshchem · May 15, 2022

I still have 7 or 8 flashbars. The current film is lousy. I still love the experience. I have two cameras, I've owned for at least 40 years one is ugly white plastic the other is the original faux stainless. Amazing technology. Too bad that we don't have the original film. Instax is way better film, but nothing close to the SLR SX-70.

mshchem · May 15, 2022

chriscrawfordphoto said:
The SX-70 manipulation I posted was done on the Time Zero film made in the late 1990s. The intro of 600 film in the early 80s ended production of SX-70 cameras, but Polaroid kept making SX-70 compatible film until at least 2000. I was still buying it new then at places like Walgreens.

Sneaky has been a challenge to photograph on Polaroid because the loud sound of the camera's mirror moving makes him move. I've gotten several good ones, though.

I love Sneaky!

chriscrawfordphoto · May 15, 2022

mshchem said:
I love Sneaky!

Everyone loves Sneaky. My cat has 4600 followers on Instagram; and whenever I post a photo of him on Facebook, he gets hundreds and sometimes more than a thousand likes and comments. When I post one of my fine art photographs, I get five or six likes. Sneaky is the King, and he knows it!

eli griggs · May 16, 2022

madNbad said:
If Chris is using one, there’s hope for the reimagined Polaroid!
The ability to keep the prints in subdued light while they develop has been mentioned both on the packaging and by users posting here. I’m surprised no one’s come up with a gizmo to stash them in while they finish developing. The frog tounge protects the print as it emerges from the camera but what do you do with it in the meantime?

A large, wide, classic cigarette pocket holder, hardshell, wider than this one below.

Brass Retro Tobacco Case Holder Smoking Box Can fit 16pcs Cigarette For Men | eBay

Material: brass.

www.google.com

As you snap a pic, simply use one of these to darken and protect the print until it's fully developed.

You might have to remove the cigarette holding elastic, but if you buy one made in England for wider cigarettes like "English Ovals", (do the still make these?) you should be OK, IMO.

madNbad · May 25, 2022

After posting this thread, a very generous forum member asked if I would like the one that was taking up space in their cabinet. It arrived today and it's in great condition. From this thread I learned how to handle the new Polaroid film for the best results and what to expect when it finally develops. It will get regular exercise but the cost of film is a consideration. When I did look up the serial number, it came off the production line the day before my twenty-second birthday and it is very much like having an old friend return.

FujiMike19 · Jun 3, 2022

A very timely post because I just purchased not one, but two, SX70 cameras. I purchased the one at an estate sale for $28 and the other from a private seller for $60, which included a deluxe carrying case and other accessories. Both are working. I had always wanted an SX70. My prior experience with the cheap plastic models has been subpar. So far I have shot two rolls of color film and have ordered a roll of black and white. I'm fairly pleased with the quality of the images so far. I'm learning with each shot and really enjoying the instant film experience. So I would say yes, purchase an SX 70 at the right price and have fun. I will post some images after I scan a few of the prints.

madNbad · Jun 3, 2022

There are some excellent tips in this thread about how to handle the image in the time it takes to develop. I found using the foil packaging to be a convenient way to keep it shielded from light. I like the B&W, I just have to use it sparingly.

Nicklop · Jun 3, 2022

After touching an slr690 I can never go back

Donald Qualls · Jun 3, 2022

Nicklop said:
After touching an slr690 I can never go back

I presume you mean SLR680 -- the 600 speed compatible, sonar and strobe final development of the original SX-70. I'd love to have one, if only they didn't cost as much as a Speed Graphic plus LomoGraflok plus lens...

madNbad · Jun 3, 2022

Donald Qualls said:
I presume you mean SLR680 -- the 600 speed compatible, sonar and strobe final development of the original SX-70. I'd love to have one, if only they didn't cost as much as a Speed Graphic plus LomoGraflok plus lens...

The SLR 690 was the last of the folding cameras. It was an updated 680 with improved electronics and a switch for the flash. I had a 680 but it felt too big.

Donald Qualls · Jun 3, 2022

Okay, I don't recall hearing about that one. Must not have had a long run. What Google shows, though, seems physically identical to a 680?

madNbad · Jun 3, 2022

Donald Qualls said:
Okay, I don't recall hearing about that one. Must not have had a long run. What Google shows, though, seems physically identical to a 680?

It’s basically the same as a 680. Polaroid wasn’t making any money in the folder market so they added a few tweaks to satisfy the purists and ended the run shortly after it’s introduction.

Donald Qualls · Jun 3, 2022

madNbad said:
Polaroid wasn’t making any money

No need for the run-on sentence. They were already circling the drain when the 680 came out. "Art" shooters, who'd manipulate the print as/after development were all that kept them going the last few years, and when they had to reformulate the Time-Zero and 600 due to discontinuation of one of the plastic layer materials, and the new film wouldn't let you push the image around, the penny dropped.

madNbad · Jun 3, 2022

One of my favorite things about this site, every time I visit, I learn something.

Andrew O'Neill · Jun 3, 2022

I'm on the lookout for an SX-70 for my senior students to play around with. I feel too nervous when I lend them mine. If anyone has leads on any that are not priced too high, please let me know!

FujiMike19 · Jun 7, 2022

chriscrawfordphoto said:
The SX-70 manipulation I posted was done on the Time Zero film made in the late 1990s. The intro of 600 film in the early 80s ended production of SX-70 cameras, but Polaroid kept making SX-70 compatible film until at least 2000. I was still buying it new then at places like Walgreens.

Sneaky has been a challenge to photograph on Polaroid because the loud sound of the camera's mirror moving makes him move. I've gotten several good ones, though.

That's a really nice Polaroid image! Did you use flash?

Would you buy a Polaroid SX-70?

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Brass Retro Tobacco Case Holder Smoking Box Can fit 16pcs Cigarette For Men | eBay

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