Tag Archives: classic

Polaroid SX-70

Photography, , , ,

In which I tell you all I know about the Polaroid SX-70!

I have two SX-70s. One is a lovely silver and leather top-shelf SLR, and the other is a black plastic Model 3 (the non-SLR model). I’m lucky in that I got them both really cheap, and they both function beautifully and close completely. They’re really cool, compact, portable cameras.

SX-70s were made to take a particular kind of film (Polaroid SX-70 integral print) that is, of course, totally discontinued now, but the cameras can be altered to shoot 600 instant film (which has also been discontinued, since as of early last year Polaroid no longer manufactures any film at all). The 600 film you can still find is long expired, so buyer beware. If it’s been stored properly it will shoot just fine. If it’s been stored badly it might give you interesting, moody images, or it might not work at all.

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Polaroid Land Model 103

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land103.gifI love this old Polaroid! I bought it at the Rutledge flea market last month for a dollar.

It’s a Land camera, model 103 (which is basically a bottom-shelf 100 model). The best part is that they still make film for it! (In color and B&W!) [link to buy film]

This camera was made from 1965-1967, so it’s older than I am. It came complete with a groovy carrying case, a portrait kit (which consists of a wide aperture lens, a flash filter, and a snap-on viewfinder), a cold-clip (which is something you put your developing exposure in and keep in your armpit on cold days so the picture is warm enough to develop properly), and a flash gun.

There’s nowhere to buy film packs for this camera locally, so I have to order them online. I found a place to buy a battery, too – the camera uses a strange old battery that has 9-volt-style snaps on it, one on the bottom and one on the top. Although flash bulbs are no longer made, they still exist and can also be purchased on the web for a little over a dollar per flash. (I only bought two boxes, and use the camera outside most of the time.) (I also bought these.)

This camera takes amazing pictures; even though the film is new the images come out looking like they’re thirty years old. The portrait kit, used outdoors with ample light and color film, takes amazing photos. I took one of Ella on her 1st birthday sitting in her highchair and it’s easily the best portrait I’ve ever taken.

Ella, on her birthday

While these cameras are fairly plentiful, it’s hard to find accessories. I really want a cloud filter. Wouldn’t that be awesome?

Specs

Film: 100/660-Series Land Pack Films (3 1/4″ x 4 1/4″)
Flashbulbs: M3 Clear Bulb
Battery: No. 531 4.5 volt alkaline battery

Links

Land List – an enthusiast’s repository of basic reference information regarding Polaroid Land Cameras and related products. This site is the vintage Polaroid Bible.
photobattery.com – sells new batteries for old cameras. I got the 531-analogue I needed for $14… which is kinda funny, considering I only paid $1 for the camera itself! Snort!
Cress Photo – sells vintage bulbs! Oh yes they do!
adorama.com – cheapest 600-series pack film I could find online.

Pics

Here are the kick-ass photos this thing takes.

3/20/09 Update Polaroid has stopped making 600-series pack films as of the end of 2008, but you can get Fuji instant films that will fit!

Old Cameras