In April 1972, Edwin Land forever changed the world of photography. It was then that the world’s first folding instant camera, the SX-70 , was introduced. This was truly a revolutionary product: a chrome body with brown leather accents, a compact design, and most importantly – the SX-70 was the first fully automatic camera that did not require the photographer’s intervention in the process of developing the photo. Today, we will look at the main modifications of this camera.
Polaroid SX-70
The first in our review is the original SX-70 Land Camera, probably the most famous and iconic Polaroid camera.
It was the first instant reflex camera in history and the first camera to use the new integrated film cassette. It was produced from 1972 to 1981 and features a unique folding mechanism that makes it the most compact Polaroid camera.
The SX-70 is an SLR (single-lens reflex), meaning when you look through the viewfinder, you are looking directly through the lens. The settings for Polaroid cameras are also quite simple, with a wheel on one side for focusing and a shutter release button, and on the other side, a wheel for exposure compensation. There is a flash socket on top of the camera since it does not have an internal flash.
Polaroid SX-70 Model 2
The first modification of the SX-70 is the SX-70 Land Camera Model 2. Polaroid produced it from 1974 to 1977. Functionally, this model in the SX-70 series is similar to the original SX-70, but the body is made of plastic without chroming and partially covered with vinyl ("Porvair"). It was available in two color variations – white plastic with brown accents and the rarer – black plastic with black accents.
The focusing is still manual with a view through the viewfinder. The minimum distance to the subject is 26.4 cm.
The camera has built-in exposure measurement through the viewfinder. The Polaroid SX-70 Model 2 has automatic exposure, setting the aperture and shutter speed. An external flash can be used via the socket (just like the first model).
Polaroid SX-70 Model 3
The Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 3 was an instant camera produced from 1975 to 1978. Despite being part of the SX-70 series, this camera was the most affordable in the series. While the body is similar to the original SX-70 , Model 3 is no longer an SLR. Instead of looking through the lens, you look through a simple window located just above the lens.
The camera’s body is made of black plastic, and some parts of the body are covered with brown vinyl. The flash socket has been moved to above the viewfinder. This change was due to the flash obstructing the viewfinder window.
Polaroid SX-70 Alpha 1
The next camera was the Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Alpha 1, introduced by Polaroid in 1977. The biggest innovations compared to the original SX-70 include a tripod thread, camera strap lugs, and the option for a fill-in flash.
The Alpha 1 also returned the original chrome body with brown accents but was also available in a black plastic body with brown accents. The camera has an Alpha 1 Model 2 version, but it differs only in returning the color scheme of the SX-70 Model 2.
Polaroid SX-70 Sonar
Polaroid SX-70 Sonar Autofocus – this is an instant camera introduced at the end of the 1970s. It is similar to the Alpha 1 in terms of functionality, but it introduced an innovation: the Sonar autofocus system, which could be described as a small bat sitting in your camera, as this technology is inspired by bats. The autofocus works using a small circle located above the lens, emitting sound waves that bounce off the object. The camera calculates the time it takes for these waves to return and thus measures the distance to the object. You can also switch from autofocus to manual focusing. Additionally, it features low-light warnings in the viewfinder, and the flash socket is located above the sonar.
Polaroid SLR 680
The Polaroid SLR 680 was designed for the Polaroid 600 film format, but it was based on the original SX-70. It was introduced in 1982.
This camera is special and differs from other Polaroid models in that it is a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera that uses 600-type film.
The design of the instant camera is very similar to the Polaroid SX-70 autofocus models – the same buttons and wheels, and it also folds after use. However, the addition of a built-in flash on the autofocus module made it more user-friendly but less compact. There is a switch on the back panel that allows you to turn off the flash.
The dominant color design of the SLR 680 is black. The camera also has an SLR 680 SE version, which visually differs from the original mainly by the color of the shutter button.
Polaroid SLR 690
The last camera is the Polaroid 690. The last SLR Polaroid camera was released in 1996. Polaroid 690 is a single-lens reflex camera, and its design and construction are similar to the classic Polaroid SX-70. When closed, it measures 24.5 x 10.5 x 2.5 cm and weighs nearly 800 grams. The Polaroid 690 is identical to the SLR 680 except for a few minor details. The Polaroid 690 was made in Japan by Nippon Polaroid Kabushiki Kaisha (Polaroid Corporation of Japan), while the SLR 680 was produced in the United States. Another difference is the 4-digit microcontroller and metric screws. Otherwise, it is very similar to the Polaroid SLR 680.
Today, the SX-70 cameras and their modifications are considered rare and are valued among collectors and photography enthusiasts. These cameras retain their popularity due to their unique features and the ability to create distinctive photos with a vintage aesthetic. Remember, you can purchase legendary SX-70 cameras from us, including: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera.
