sweathog
Well-known
My apologies.
I thought that the SX70 Blend was made by a different company (a group of Danish, I believe, gents) who had bought the manufacturing rights. My memory must be a bit hazy.
Polaroid cameras - is it worth buying one?
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I thought that the SX70 Blend was made by a different company (a group of Danish, I believe, gents) who had bought the manufacturing rights. My memory must be a bit hazy.
whickus
Established
there are no "small" pack film cameras, but a lot of them have collapsible bellows and a built in hard cover, which helps make them a little more discrete. since the print is so large (in comparison with most film formats) the lens needs to be so far from the film, which kinda limits how small the cameras can be. when collapsed, they're a little smaller than a lunchbox. there were numerous folding pack film cameras made and the land list describes their features.
OldNick
Well-known
Here is a link to an SX-70 photo from 1978, scanned recently. Good shots held up well. Lousy shots, well, were just lousy.
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Gulf+Shores+AL+1978.jpg.html
Jim N.
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Gulf+Shores+AL+1978.jpg.html
Jim N.
venchka
Veteran
One option
One option
I use my Polaroid holders: 545, 550 & 405, in a Speed Graphic. The combination works well for me. The Speed Graphic can also use sheet film and roll film (120/220) holders. A very verstile system.
One option
I use my Polaroid holders: 545, 550 & 405, in a Speed Graphic. The combination works well for me. The Speed Graphic can also use sheet film and roll film (120/220) holders. A very verstile system.
historicist
Well-known
Link to the land list:
http://www.rwhirled.com/landlist/landhome.htm
Pack film cameras are incredibly good fun, there are a lot of models, some of them cheap and plastic, but some with nice good rangefinders and good glass lenses. I had a Polaroid 180, and enjoyed it a lot. The only negative is that the film is very expensive (about 1 euro per exposure) and obviously not every picture turns out great so it isn't very economical. I guess film is probably a lot cheaper in the US, though, and they are worth trying out at least.
I have also had a SX-70 in the past, and although in the long term it won't be possible to get film for it, I think it might be worth getting one just to run a pack or two through it. They have good lenses, focus very close, and fold up incredibly elegantly for what is effectively a medium format camera. It's a design masterpiece and I think it is worth using one while you still can.
Most other polaroid cameras are not worth buying for photography, the same goes for the Fuji Instax series (for which film is still available at least in Europe, they are similar to the cheaper, newer polaroid cameras). They are fun at parties, but nothing special as cameras.
http://www.rwhirled.com/landlist/landhome.htm
Pack film cameras are incredibly good fun, there are a lot of models, some of them cheap and plastic, but some with nice good rangefinders and good glass lenses. I had a Polaroid 180, and enjoyed it a lot. The only negative is that the film is very expensive (about 1 euro per exposure) and obviously not every picture turns out great so it isn't very economical. I guess film is probably a lot cheaper in the US, though, and they are worth trying out at least.
I have also had a SX-70 in the past, and although in the long term it won't be possible to get film for it, I think it might be worth getting one just to run a pack or two through it. They have good lenses, focus very close, and fold up incredibly elegantly for what is effectively a medium format camera. It's a design masterpiece and I think it is worth using one while you still can.
Most other polaroid cameras are not worth buying for photography, the same goes for the Fuji Instax series (for which film is still available at least in Europe, they are similar to the cheaper, newer polaroid cameras). They are fun at parties, but nothing special as cameras.
venchka
Veteran
Maybe, and it's a big maybe, the Polaroid 110A and/or 110B cameras will accept the Fujifilm 3 1/4x41/4 film packs. you have to do your homework and research the Fujifilm question.
Right now there is one of each, 110A and 110B, for sale at the Large Format Photography Forum.
Right now there is one of each, 110A and 110B, for sale at the Large Format Photography Forum.
venchka
Veteran
charjohncarter
Veteran
FA Limited, the color pack cameras are cheap and use pack film. Here is a site with the specs on most of the Polaroid cameras:
http://www.rwhirled.com/landlist/landdcam.htm
Just click on packfilm cameras.
I just saw somebody else put this site up, anyway check the Automatic 100, not small but it has everything.
http://www.rwhirled.com/landlist/landdcam.htm
Just click on packfilm cameras.
I just saw somebody else put this site up, anyway check the Automatic 100, not small but it has everything.
FPjohn
Well-known
The Full Instant film aesthetic may be had with Instax 200 cameras and film.
yours
FPJ
yours
FPJ
FPjohn
Well-known
It appears that that Instax has been noted by others.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Polaroid cameras to get?
Why... this one of course 😀
this below was taken by my toddler daughter:
she loves that thing... 😀
But seriously, find one of these:
You'll love it, no batteries needed, Tomioka lens, all good RF fun, and it takes Fuji packfilm as well.
Why... this one of course 😀
this below was taken by my toddler daughter:
she loves that thing... 😀
But seriously, find one of these:
You'll love it, no batteries needed, Tomioka lens, all good RF fun, and it takes Fuji packfilm as well.
historicist
Well-known
I can second buying the Polaroid 180/190/195 cameras. Expensive, but much faster lenses, full manual control and if you don't like it you'll almost certainly get the purchase price back when you sell it. I used my 180 a lot and made quite a big profit when I sold it on.
Or, as a cheaper option, a Polaroid back on a MF camera, if you have access to one?
Or, as a cheaper option, a Polaroid back on a MF camera, if you have access to one?
amoebahydra
Established
I use Polaroid 405, 550, 545i backs, Linhof Rollax Polaroid, Hasselblad 100.
bmattock
Veteran
Which Fuji instant film fits in your Polaroid 545i?
venchka
Veteran
Sweet. I have the same general setup. However, the Linhof and Heliar makes my Speed Graphic and 127mm Ektar seem somehow inferior.
amoebahydra
Established
I cannot find one, I am using remaining Polaroid stock...sad ah!
venchka
Veteran
I have one too
I have one too
None, actually. But it does accept Quickloads and Readyloads.
I have one too
None, actually. But it does accept Quickloads and Readyloads.
amoebahydra
Established
Nop, it is an Apo-Lanthar 150/4.5...not a Heliar
venchka
Veteran
Yep. My fingers couldn't keep up with my brain.
bmattock
Veteran
Yep, I was aware of that. For a moment, I had a brief glimmer of hope that someone had figured out a way to use Fuji instant film in the 545 back, and my investment in a 545 a few years ago would not be wasted. I know I can use the non-instant film in it, but I have holders for non-instant film that work better than the clunky 545 back. I wanted instant...sad is the world...
