Option-al Landlist

Rollfilm

Cameras

Accessories

Film
Packfilm

Cameras

Accessories

Film
SX-70

Cameras

Accessories

Film
600/779

Cameras

Accessories

Film
Spectra

Cameras

Accessories

Film
Oddballs

Cameras

Accessories

Film
Polavision

Cameras

Accessories

Film

Choose a model to see more information about it. Clicking on a film type will bring you to the specific page for that type.
Folding Style
SX-70 (original model)
SX-70 Alpha 1
SX-70 Alpha 1 Executive
SX-70 Alpha 1 Model 2
SX-70 Executive
SX-70 Model 2
SX-70 Model 3
SX-70 Sonar OneStep
Supercolor AutoFocus
TimeZero SX-70 AutoFocus
TimeZero SX-70 AutoFocus Model 2

SX-70 Cameras

The following technical information is useful for specifics concerning each model. Where appropriate you can click to see more information including photos.

All of these models can take the SX-70/TimeZero integral type films.

Please see this chart to give you a visual comparison between the major "options" and abilities of each SX-70 model.

If you see this icon, the model was intended for "Special Markets" distribution (i.e. corporate premiums, prizes, and other non-retail distribution) only.

If you see this icon, the model was sold in International (non-USA) markets only.

Folding Style models

ALL Folding SX-70 Cameras have the following features in common:

4-element 116mm f/8 glass lens
Minimum focus: 10.4 inches
Front-cell focusing via geared wheel at top of lens/shutter housing
Electronic shutter
Programmed automatic exposure-- shutter speeds from >10 sec to 1/175; aperture range f/8- f/22; smaller apertures possible when flash is used.
Auto flash exposure based on focus distance; Max flash distance 20ft.
Has built-in Flashbar socket for flash. Accessory electronic flashes were also available.
Socket for an electrically-actuated remote shutter release.

SX-70
"Original Model"

Produced: 1972-1977 / Original Retail: $180.00

SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) viewing and focusing.
Chrome-plated plastic body with genuine leather covering.

Important Firsts:

First camera using Polaroid integral print films
First ever (?) production SLR with a folding body. (Graflex doesn't really count in this respect, as the body itself doesn't actually collapse)

Collector's Note: There are 3 minor variations of this camera: First year production models (10/72 - 10/73) have plain ground glass focusing screen; no focus scale. Later models have split-image rangefinder circle and no focus scale. Still later models have split-image RF circle and focus scale. Apparently, Polaroid also offered a retrofit service to install the split-image finder for owners of the older SX-70's, so it may be possible to encounter an early SX-70 that has the RF circle anyway. In addition, some late-production SX-70's have the same fill-flash feature of the Alpha 1, though this feature may be undocumented in the camera's instruction manual.

The SX-70 was definitely a landmark camera in the history of photography, and, in my opinion, Dr. Edwin Land's masterpiece. Probably the most common folding SX-70 camera, however.

A (very) limited-edition gold-plated version of this camera was also produced. Some other limited-production color combinations may exist of the original SX-70, but beware that some may have been altered by the end-user, and were not produced that way at the factory.

Note: 'SE' (Special Edition) and 'BC' (packaged for K-Mart stores) versions were also produced.

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SX-70 Alpha 1

Produced: 1977-19?? / Original Retail: $233.00

Similar to SX-70 (Original Model), except:

Has "fill-flash" capability (using Flashbars)
Has tripod socket and neck strap lugs.

Collector's Note: Early production models are simply labeled "SX-70 Alpha" with no number. The example of an 'unnumbered' Alpha I've seen has black leather covering rather than tan. Other color variations of this camera may exist-- I've also seen a black-on-black version as well.

A limited-edition gold-tone version of the Alpha 1 exists.

Note: 'SE' (Special Edition) and 'Sears Special' (Sears stores) versions were also produced. There was also a Revue-branded version for sale in Foto-Quelle camera stores in Europe.

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SX-70 Alpha 1 Executive

Produced: 1977-19?? / Original Retail: $???.??

Similar to SX-70 Alpha 1.

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SX-70 Alpha 1 Model 2

Produced: 1977-19?? / Original Retail: $180.00

Similar to SX-70 Alpha 1, except:

Black plastic body with brown vinyl ("Porvair") covering.

Notes: Might also be known as the "Alpha 2"

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SX-70 Executive

Produced: 1975-1977 / Original Retail: $???.??

Similar to SX-70 (Original Model).

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SX-70 Model 2

Produced: 1974-1977 / Original Retail: $149.95

Similar to SX-70 (Original Model), except:

White plastic body with brown vinyl ("Porvair") covering. A black-on-black version also exists.

Collector's Note: All Model 2's have split-image rangefinder circle. Seems that most have focus scales, but not all. Incidently, the top layer of the "Porvair" covering on this camera (and the Model 3) appears to become rather 'fragile' with age, and so may be easily scuffed and/or damaged. The vinyl coverings on some Alpha and Sonar models appear to be much more durable by comparison.

The (uncommon) black version of this camera has a pebble-grained vinyl covering similar to that of some Alpha and Sonar models, instead of the usual Porvair.

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SX-70 Model 3

Produced: 1975-1978 / Original Retail: $99.95

Similar to SX-70 Model 2, except:

Plain optical viewfinder; focus by scale only. (NOT an SLR)
Black plastic body with brown vinyl ("Porvair") covering.
Flashbar socket has been relocated to the top of the viewfinder (if it were in the same place as on the the other cameras, the Flashbar would be situated directly in front of the viewfinder window).

Notes: This is the only folding SX-70 that is not a single-lens reflex. Even so, the shutter and mirror-flipping mechanisms function exactly the same as in its SLR cousins, even though the added complexity is totally unnecessary in this camera.

Some late-production examples of this camera have neckstrap lugs (as found on the Alpha cameras).

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