new goodies ... SX-70 fun

[Godfrey]

Some time ago now, I acquired the snap-on self timer for the SX-70. Hadn't used it. Yesterday the Impossible Project SX-70 electronic flash arrived too. Hmm hmm hmm.

The flash works great! Just what you need for slow SX-70 film indoors. And the self-timer works great too!

I'd already discovered that if I run the brighten-darken control all the way to darken, IP 600 Cyanographic film works well in the SX-70. I bet the same holds for the 600 B&W. A nice plus is that the flash unit has a 'half power' setting specifically to allow 600 film to work well in the SX-70 too.

Hmm. SX-70 Sonar, flash unit, and self-timer: perfect instant selfies ... ! Time to load the SX-70 Sonar again. 🙂

G

 

[alienmeatsack]

I didn't know they had a flash! I guess I need to investigate. I've been using my LED video lights held up for light when it is darker.

I guess my question for you Godfrey would be, have you had a chance to try this new flash with the 600 speed film and an ND filter? I use both kinds of film in my SX70, well I did when I was using it. I got slightly sidetracked by the cheap Instax Wide I procured recently. 😀

 

[Godfrey]

I didn't know they had a flash! I guess I need to investigate. I've been using my LED video lights held up for light when it is darker.

I guess my question for you Godfrey would be, have you had a chance to try this new flash with the 600 speed film and an ND filter? I use both kinds of film in my SX70, well I did when I was using it. I got slightly sidetracked by the cheap Instax Wide I procured recently. 😀

The flash is great, so is the self timer. I'm testing my first roll of IP 600 B&W in the SX-70 Sonar at present ... went to lunch with a coworker, set the camera with flash and self-time up on a glass and shot our selfie:

I left the camera on the neutral exposure position and set the flash to the low power setting. Snapped a photo of the print with my iPad and did only minor straightening to produce the above. I like the feel of this new film too! It feels punchier and sharper than the older SilverShade Cool I was using.

I did another exposure outdoors with the camera set to full darken mode, no ND filter: it exposed the 600 BW just right.

This is great. There's no room to darken the exposure more, but most of the time I'm lightening the exposure anyway.

G

 

[Tony Whitney]

Decades ago, someone from Polaroid walked into my office, where I presided as a magazine editor, and gave me an SX-70 in a nice leather case to try out. I guess it was some kind of marketing effort aimed at the media. They were supposed to pick it up after a couple of months but nobody ever showed up. I still have the camera and now my photo-fan 26 year old is experimenting with it. Great technology and way ahead of its time...TW

 

[Godfrey]

It is indeed an amazing camera. There's something about the photos it makes that is always warm and inviting, memorable.

G

 

[robert blu]

Nice to know the flash works well. I have two sx70 now, one an old present from a friend and one bought refurbished by impossible. I have the flash from impossible. I even have a couple of bar flash. Just ordered a few packs of B&W films. What I haven't now because of family priorities is the time to play with them...hopefully in a couple of weeks...
robert

 

[JoeV]

I haven't seen the IP flash unit, it doesn't appear currently on their website. Any ideas where one can find it?

~Joe

 

[Godfrey]

I haven't seen the IP flash unit, it doesn't appear currently on their website. Any ideas where one can find it?

~Joe

It's on their website, in the Shop:Accessories area:
https://shop.the-impossible-project.com/shop/accessories/camera/ac_mint_flash

 

[robert blu]

first time with flash

first time with flash

This is my first attempt to use my sx70, B&W film in conjunction with the Flash bar by Mint. I'll try more...just added a little bit contrast in LR.


sx70new-b&w001.jpg di der blaue robert, su Flickr

It's my bookshelf with my drawing (still learning to) and on the top there is an old Malinverno 120 slide projector, from the 60's for what I remember...

 

[Godfrey]

Looks good, Robert!

I shot three packs of film on Sunday evening at our Cinco de Mayo party. The flash performed very well. I find that it does best with SX-70 B&W and color film in the five to seven foot range—anything farther and I turn the control to "lighten" a notch or two. On low power with 600 B&W, it works perfectly up to ten feet.

Really makes the SX-70 a much more useful camera again. 🙂

G

 

[robert blu]

I tried today a couple of portraits, but my model was not in the mood for a portrait therefore she preferred to have her face hidden behind a newspaper!
indoor, sx 70 + B&W impossible + flash by mint, epson v600 scan as color, added a little more contrast in LR4

outdoor, sx 70 * B&W impossible, no flash, epson v600 scan as color, added a little more contrast in LR4

 

[Godfrey]

very nice, robert!

i'm becoming very taken with the 600 B&W in black frame mounting. i see that impossible has another special running, 20% off on film sales or refurbished cameras purchased through their mobile app. time to replenish my film stock. 🙂

G

 

[BLKRCAT]

I have quite a bunch of SX-70 accessories like this if anyones interested in buying. I believe I have:

self timer
cable release
close up filter with holder
lens hood
flash bar diffuser
Tripod mount

Id entertain reasonable offers plus shipping

 

[robert blu]

very nice, robert!

i'm becoming very taken with the 600 B&W in black frame mounting. i see that impossible has another special running, 20% off on film sales or refurbished cameras purchased through their mobile app. time to replenish my film stock. 🙂

G

Yes, now it works reasonably well. Inthe afternoon I manage to shoot in the sun and shield the photo enough to get a good result! I have small hands and to shield the photo needs some practice!
Tomorrow I'll be on a short trip with some friends photographers and I'll only take the sx70 ith a couple of packs of film!
robert
PS: yes the 20% off is an opportunity not to leave...