The SX-70 is a folding single lens reflex Land camera which was produced by
the Polaroid Corporation from 1972 to 1981.
History In 1947, Polaroid introduced its first
consumer camera. The Land Camera Model 95 was the first camera to use instant
film to quickly produce photographs without developing them in a laboratory.
The popular Model 95 and subsequent Land Cameras required complex procedures to
take and produce good photographs. Photographic paper had to be manually
removed from cameras, peeled open after 60 seconds, needed several minutes to
dry, and often left developing chemicals on hands. The instructions for the Model
20 Swinger, introduced in 1965, warned that, if not followed, "you’re headed
for plenty of picture taking trouble". Pictures from the SX-70, by contrast,
ejected automatically and developed quickly without chemical residue.
Polaroid founder Edwin Land announced the SX-70 at a company annual meeting in
April 1972. On stage, he took out a folded SX-70 from his suit coat pocket
and in ten seconds took five pictures, both actions impossible with previous
Land Cameras. The company first sold the SX-70 in Miami, Florida in late 1972,
and began selling it nationally in fall 1973. Although the high cost of $180 for
the camera and $6.90 for each film pack of ten pictures limited demand, Polaroid
sold 700,000 by mid-1974. In 1973–4, the Skylab 3 and 4 astronauts used an SX-70
to photograph a video display screen to be able to compare the Sun's features
from one orbit to the next. There were a variety of models beginning
in 1972 with the original SX-70, though all shared the same basic design. The
first model had a plain focusing screen because Dr. Land wanted to encourage
photographers to think they were looking at the subject, rather than through a
viewfinder. When many users complained that focusing was difficult, especially
in dim light, a split-image rangefinder prism was added. This feature is
standard on all later manual focus models.
The later Sonar OneStep and SLR 680 models were equipped with a sonar
autofocus system. This sonar autofocus system greatly helped the user's ability
to focus the camera, especially in dark environments, and could be turned off if
manual focus was needed. The Sonar Onestep models were the first autofocus
SLRs available to consumers. The later SLR 680/690 models updated the basic
design of the Sonar Onestep to more modern standards by incorporating
support for newer 600 film cartridges instead of SX-70 cartridges, and a
built-in flash instead of the disposable Flashbar. Today they are the most
evolved forms of the SX-70, and are highly sought after by Polaroid
enthusiasts. Though expensive, the SX-70 was popular
in the 1970s and retains a cult following today. Eminent photographers
such as Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, Helmut Newton, and Walker Evans praised and
used the SX-70. Not until the $40 Model 1000 OneStep using SX-70 film became the
best-selling camera of the 1977 Christmas shopping season, however, did
its technology become truly popular. Design features
The SX-70 included many sophisticated design elements. A collapsible SLR
required a complex light path for the viewfinder, with three mirrors of
unusual, aspheric shapes set at odd angles to create an erect image on the
film and an erect aerial image for the viewfinder. Many mechanical parts were
precision plastic moldings. The body was made of glass-filled polysulfone, a
rigid plastic which was plated with a thin layer of copper-nickel-chromium
alloy to give a metallic appearance. Models 2 & 3 used ABS in either Ebony or
Ivory color. The film pack contained a flat, 6-volt "PolaPulse" battery to
power the camera electronics, drive motor and flash. The original flash
system, a disposable "Flash Bar" of 10 bulbs from General Electric, used logic
circuits to detect and fire the next unused flash.
Models Although a variety of models were
offered, all share the same basic design. All SX-70 models feature a
folding body design, a 4-element 116mm f/8 glass lens, and an automatic
exposure system. The cameras allow for focusing as close as 10.4 inches, and
have a shutter speed range from 1/175s to more than 10 seconds. The Model 3
departs from the other models since it isn't a SLR, but instead has the
viewfinder cut into the mirror hood. A whole array of accessories could be
utilized with SX-70 cameras, such as a close-up lens, electrical remote shutter
release, tripod mount and an Ever-Ready carrying case that hung from the neck
and unfolded in concert with the camera. A lot of the technology used in the
folding SX-70 cameras was later used in the production of rigid "box" type SX-70
cameras, such as the Model 1000 OneStep, Pronto, Presto and The Button. These
models, although also utilizing SX-70 film, are very different from the
folding SLR SX-70s. Evolution
MiNT Camera modified SX-70 into SLR670a and SLR670m.
= SLR670a= SLR670a merges the best functions and
features of SX-70 and SLR680 into a sleek, stylish body. It works with both
600 film and SX-70 film so no more ND filter needed when shooting. The high
ISO performance coupled with an advanced shutter and brightness control gives you
incomparable results under any lighting condition without the use of flash. When
using with ISO 160 film, simply turn the lighten/darken wheel a bit to lighten.
SLR670a is the most advanced and convenient instant camera in the market
to date. = SLR670m=
When using the ordinary SX-70, the photographer is often controlled by the
camera. SLR670m comes with the Time Machine, which gives you the manual
control over shutter speed and many more options to shoot when and where you
want. MiNT re-designed the camera motherboard to make it more reliable and
to provide a port of communication for the Time Machine. The Time Machine has
been specially designed to fit SX-70 cameras. It fits and feels perfectly on
the camera with it sleek appearance. Shutter speeds on Time Machine range
from 1s to 1/2000s and other options: Bulb mode, Time mode, Auto mode, and Off
mode. Note that the Time Machine works only with SLR670m; any other SX-70 will
not respond to the Time Machine. Film history
Polaroid SX-70 film was introduced to the market in 1972, and was a market
success despite some problems with the batteries on early film packs. The
original SX-70 film was improved once in the mid-'70s and replaced in 1980 by the
further advanced "SX-70 Time-Zero Supercolor" product, in which the layers
in the film card were altered to allow a much faster development time. It also
had richer, brighter colors than the original 1972 product. There were also
professional market varieties of the SX-70 film including 778 and the similar
708, Time Zero film without a battery, intended for use in applications such as
the "Face Place" photo booth and professional or laboratory film-backs,
where a battery is not needed. Time Zero was the film manufactured up until 2005,
though overseas-market and some last run film packs were marked only as SX-70.
A feature of the SX-70 film packs was a built-in battery to power the camera
motors and exposure control, ensuring that the battery would never be
exhausted as long as film was in the camera. The "Polapulse" battery was
configured as a 6 volt thin flat battery, and used zinc-chloride
chemistry to provide for the high pulse demand of the camera motors. Polaroid
later released development kits to allow the Polapulse battery to be used in
non-photographic applications. In the 1980s, the company even produced small
"600" AM/FM radios that would run on film packs in which the film cards had
been exhausted, but the battery still had enough power to be reused.
Film issues Polaroid's SX-70 "Time-Zero" film was
phased out of production in late 2005 to early 2006. Small quantities of the film
may still be acquired, however at often very highly inflated prices.
The Impossible Project currently produces lines of Black & White and
Color film compatible with the SX-70, but their films use a different
chemistry than original Polaroid film and have different characteristics.
Image manipulation One feature of SX-70 integral print film
is its ability to be manipulated while developing, and for some days after.
Because the emulsion is gelatin-based, and the Mylar covering does not allow
water vapor to readily pass, the emulsion stays soft for several days,
allowing artists to press and manipulate the emulsion to produce effects somewhat
like impressionist paintings. An example of this technique was used on the cover
of Peter Gabriel's third album, Peter Gabriel. Another example of emulsion
manipulation was the cover of Loverboy's debut album, Loverboy, where artist
Barbara Astman created the cover by typing lyrics from the album onto a
self-portrait Polaroid as it developed. The 500, 600, and Spectra/Image
materials do not use a gelatin-based emulsion, and cannot be manipulated this
way. Manipulation of the photograph is best
done about two minutes after the picture has fully developed. It will stay soft
and workable for about 5–15 minutes. Some colors will be more difficult to
work on, whereas others are workable for a long time. If the photo is on a warm
surface or slightly warmed in an oven, image manipulation is made easier.
See also Instant camera
Edwin H. Land James Gilbert Baker
Polaroid Corporation Instant film
Laurence Gartel Mike Brodie
Stefanie Schneider Lucas Samaras
References External links
Polaroid SX-70/Time-Zero Film Important Notice 2006
Notification of Polaroid Instant Film Availability 2008
New films for Polaroid SX70 Polaroid SX70 pictures
Polaroid SX70 onlinegallery - sx70.dk