Sent my SX-70 to Retrospekt for repair and had it converted it to shoot 600 film. Could not be happier with this camera. The work is grade A quality. A great company to work with. So good that i purchased a second camera on eBay and going to send this one to them for repair and keep it to shoot regular polaroid film. I first tried to send the camera to Brooklyn but the repair person was stuck in France because of the Covid with no time table of when he would return to the US. But I can highly recommend Retrospekt....
You all prolly dont care but does anybody know a method to log back into an instagram account..? I stupidly lost my account password. I would love any tricks you can give me!
@Melvin Van Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Melvin Van HOLY **** IT ACTUALLY WORKED! I literally got access to my ig password after ~ 40 minutes by using the site. Had to pay 15 bucks but definitely worth the price =) Thanks so much, you saved my ass !
My first couple packs of Impossible Project SX-70 film were horribly overexposed and I always thought it was because of the film. Ever since I cleaned the light sensor, it's like a new camera! The film improvements since the Impossible Project days also doesn't hurt.
To remove the oxidation I've done the exact same procedure, but I've used vinegar instead of isopropyl alcohol, because it reacts with the oxidation and it removes it completely.
The use of a dilute acid such as vinegar, which you’ve observed, suggests a likely carbonate-based corrosion ( which might make sense given the age of the cameras.). Good to know. I just used IPA (isopropyl 91%) and it helped; a bit of careful scraping was needed. Thanks for the tip. I might get adventurous and attempt to clean both sides of the filter.
@@steveburns9722 hi Steve. To be completely honest I got a nice and shiny looking sensor, but my pictures still look a bit overexposed to me... I still need to adjust the exposure compensation. Only with the "darkest" setting I get satisfactory results. Especially in a sunny day... 🤔
@@gianlusc Hi Gianluca--I've cleaned only the front part of the sensor following the directions in the video, with isopropyl alcohol and some gentle scraping. In the video, it's mentioned there might be some oxidation on the back side, as well. That's more difficult, as I think you would have to disassemble much of the shutter assembly...and I'm not comfortable with that. I haven't tested the 'cleaned' exposure yet; I'm waiting on film. IF I get bold enough to really clean both sides of the glass in front of the photocell I'll let you know how it comes out!--Steve
@@gianlusc Hi Gianluca--I tried your vinegar idea on the photocell and it works really, really well. I understand that this small light-blue UV/IR cutoff filter is epoxied in front of the photocell. If that's the case, it might be protected from this corrosion--it might be primarily on the outside. Re: overexposure--the cameras were designed for an ISO 100-125 film, but the new Polaroid film is faster at ISO 160. Polaroid recommends turning the exposure dial 1 to 1.5 'notches' of the three on each side of the exposure compensation wheel toward darken to account for this slightly faster film. Hope this helps--Steve
I have both a sun 660 and sx-70 sonar. I gotta say if you're gonna take primarily day shots sonar all the way. The quality in picture is almost night and day. Idk whether it was my camera or the last year's film formula being really bad but I never had good results with the sun 660 in day or night
I bought my sx-70 from a guy that let them repair by a old Polaroid service guy in the Netherlands. Mine is not always right, but I have to turn the wheel to darken to get the right exposure. Oh and my sx-70 got some new duochrome yellow, you have to buy some of it! (With Nd filter) you will love it
Sorry , but please be reminded that there are two screws on both the upper right and upper left corners of the front cover. It’s better to remove these screws first before taking off the front cover. And thank you for this useful video!!!
The new film is just not the same the old stuff. We did a comparison video on our channel, showing the film from early 2000 side by side with a fresh new pack from the new polaroid. The results are wild!
That's honestly still a good price for the camera. Whether it's working or has minor issues it still comes out cheaper than buying from Polaroid themselves
Wonderful work. I watched your video, however, I was unable to find the problem that my camera has. When I put a film cassette in it and close the door it shoots a film out but then the shutter button is not working and the mirror is open so I can not see through the viewfinder. I took the camera apart, and it seems the button working fine. It must be something else broken. Do you know what could it be?
uh oh! i went through these steps, everything seemed fine, but now that my camera is back together it will no longer shoot or load film--i just get nothing when i hit the red button or load a new film pack. Any ideas what I did wrong?
I had the same problem recently - it turns out my shutter blades were stuck. To fix this, you need to open the shutter housing again, remove the focus wheel and try to wiggle the plunger on the solenoid underneath it - the coil of wire that is attached to the shutter blades. Just gently push the plunger down towards the coil and see if that frees it up. Either that, or your battery contacts could be dirty, but I doubt that since it seems like you used the camera recently.
I'm pretty sure you're getting a lot of low end feed back on your mic. It was really prevalant during the segments when you were wearing the lav mic, but I didn't notice anything in the other segments.
I can’t get the front panel of mine off. Undoing those back screws releases the entire front assembly, not the front panel alone. I did start to remove those unscrews until I released this. It starts to unclip and doesn’t go further.
Hi, I have exactly the same looking SX-70, but the front part just doesnt want to come off... you said that some cameras have screws that need to bee loosen before the front comes off. Can you tell me how i can recognize if my camera is one with the screws? Are there specific serial numbers or something? Thanks in advance! Best regards, Martin
i recently bought an sx 70 autofocus camera. the Autofocus does not work but thats not really my problem. My problem is that the shutter stays open when i take a picture. It never closes. so the pictures dont really turn out that good because the mirror is literally the only thing that is kinda responsible for the exposure if you know what i mean. Do you know how i can fix that? I recently send it in for repair but they didnt find anything besides the broken autofocus.... anyway great video
Hi! I just came into possession my dads old SX-70. I put in new film and hit the red button, but now it won’t stop making the whirring noise of the motor. Any ideas on how to fix that? Thanks!
hey man, i love your vids. im having trouble finding out what type of polaroid sx-70 i have, yours has tik marks on the focus and mine has numbers and the infinity symbol, can you help me
The new polaroid stuff is ISO 160 while the old ISO 100 . That is why impossibile film look washed out and overexposed. Just turn the exposure wheel by 1/4 to the dark side every time and the problem is fixed
I was wondering if you have vintage polaroid sx-70 lens attachments? I received some polarized lens covers with my purchase on ebay, and can't find any information on them... Appreciate anyone's thoughts...
I have the original one step and I take the pictures and they come out completely dark. I’m not sure what I’m doing it’s it underexposed? I was inside and the lights are on, is it my camera? Idk
I have an issue where my shadows are incredibly dark on my SX-70. In other words, things seem underexposed. Unable to get any gradient in my photos. It is the time of day I'm shooting, the exposure wheel, or something else?
Hey :) new polaroid shooter here, i have a question: got an sx 70 in good condition, shot the first cartridge trough with no problems film counter working properly. Then i change cartridge and the counter stays to 0 so the darkslide isn't ejected. It still works flawlessly except for this, which means I have to keep count of the shots. I tried once the cartridge was empty to put it back in and out a few time but the counter still doesn't reset. Any tip?
My SX-70 developed an issue finally just this year where the photo often gets stuck a bit while ejecting. If I try to yank out the half ejected photo, it smooshes around the chemicals all unevenly and messes up the photo. I think it just needs a good solid cleaning. Probably some chemicals from a leaky photo gunked up that little slot.
Sami Hasselberg Yeah I need to clean ot maybe I guess a Qtip and some rubbing alcohol? It has an Impossible Project frog tongue. Its a refurbished model from back when they sold them for merely expensive (as opposed to now absurdly expensive). But I dont think the tongue is supposed to help with the rollers at all is it? Just helping a bit with light exposure when it first comes out.
I had a problem with the frog tounge being in the way and making it jam photos, I'd just check real quick with a darkslide if it can go out the front of it just to make sure
I would say the composition of the shots did not help getting the exposure right. In the park you have light occupying the majority of the picture and of course it got overexposed. Get a darker background to have better results (like the picture with the bricks). Also, with the new films you need to diminish the exposure a bit by default through the dial
Isn't the new SX-70 film not the same ISO as the original stuff? I've noticed that it pretty much constantly overexposes unless I turn down the exposure comp a little, then it works great.
It is a little higher and darkening can help! But heavily corroded light meters components like these can really impact the cameras ability to expose consistently as well. I’ve seen a big change previously on a Sonar SX-70 I have once this piece was cleaned as well, never hurts to do some repair on these old cameras!
I was looking at doing this repair myself and was a little bit put off by mentions of the filter in front of the sensor breaking. Anyone done a lot of these repairs?
I've been shooting spectra film for the past 2 weeks and most of my shots have come out over exposed and I've also been trying so turn the exposure down but it doesn't really work that well I feel like it's a problem with the film because fortunately my Polaroid Images System E camera is like new condition and functions amazingly I've never had any problems with jamming and such it's just been flawless for me so I'm thinking it's the film?
Weird, I've never really had problems with spectras. You're shooting the new PO film right? The guy who runs polamad recommends using these cameras to avoid the famous jamming problem that had PO stop producing spectra film. www.polamad.com/polaroidshop-spectra2.html That said I've shot a couple of different older models and never really had problems with the camera. In your case it's hard to tell if it's the camera or the film
@@AnalogResurgence thanks for your reply dude, and all the good content! Currently I still have to repair my pronto but this info is very useful. I don't know why polaroid didn't provide the rest of the models with standard release cable sockets
It requires a small square screwdriver for the screws behind the front cover. I made a screwdriver by grinding down the edges of one that was too big so it would fit. This may help you: www.beppebolchi.it/img/Contenuti/howtodisassembleasx.pdf
Recently found a Vintage One Step SX-70. I loaded B & W it took 7 of 8 pics last wouldn't work. I loaded a new film pack I took 2 pictures then it wouldnt work. Do you think it's the camera or the film packs (from Amazon)?? Thanks
The problem is not a dirty sensor, but the film. The new film is around 130 ISO whereas the original film was 100 ISO. To fix this issue, you can replace a resistor in the light meter circuit to adapt to the new film sensitivity. If you want you can even choose a resistor value that will let you use 600 ISO film !
The problem with the sensors on the sx70s are well known. The film definitely makes a difference, but if your sensor is dirty you won't have good results
Used this video since my sx70 was experiencing the same problem, thanks!! It works perfectly now
The film is getting so much better than even last year!
Sent my SX-70 to Retrospekt for repair and had it converted it to shoot 600 film. Could not be happier with this camera. The work is grade A quality. A great company to work with. So good that i purchased a second camera on eBay and going to send this one to them for repair and keep it to shoot regular polaroid film. I first tried to send the camera to Brooklyn but the repair person was stuck in France because of the Covid with no time table of when he would return to the US. But I can highly recommend Retrospekt....
You all prolly dont care but does anybody know a method to log back into an instagram account..?
I stupidly lost my account password. I would love any tricks you can give me!
@Jared Ira Instablaster ;)
@Melvin Van Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm.
Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Melvin Van HOLY **** IT ACTUALLY WORKED! I literally got access to my ig password after ~ 40 minutes by using the site.
Had to pay 15 bucks but definitely worth the price =)
Thanks so much, you saved my ass !
@Jared Ira you are welcome =)
My first couple packs of Impossible Project SX-70 film were horribly overexposed and I always thought it was because of the film. Ever since I cleaned the light sensor, it's like a new camera! The film improvements since the Impossible Project days also doesn't hurt.
To remove the oxidation I've done the exact same procedure, but I've used vinegar instead of isopropyl alcohol, because it reacts with the oxidation and it removes it completely.
The use of a dilute acid such as vinegar, which you’ve observed, suggests a likely carbonate-based corrosion ( which might make sense given the age of the cameras.). Good to know. I just used IPA (isopropyl 91%) and it helped; a bit of careful scraping was needed. Thanks for the tip. I might get adventurous and attempt to clean both sides of the filter.
@@steveburns9722 hi Steve. To be completely honest I got a nice and shiny looking sensor, but my pictures still look a bit overexposed to me... I still need to adjust the exposure compensation. Only with the "darkest" setting I get satisfactory results. Especially in a sunny day... 🤔
@@gianlusc Hi Gianluca--I've cleaned only the front part of the sensor following the directions in the video, with isopropyl alcohol and some gentle scraping. In the video, it's mentioned there might be some oxidation on the back side, as well. That's more difficult, as I think you would have to disassemble much of the shutter assembly...and I'm not comfortable with that. I haven't tested the 'cleaned' exposure yet; I'm waiting on film. IF I get bold enough to really clean both sides of the glass in front of the photocell I'll let you know how it comes out!--Steve
@@steveburns9722 thank you. I also was afraid to go... deeper 🙂
@@gianlusc Hi Gianluca--I tried your vinegar idea on the photocell and it works really, really well. I understand that this small light-blue UV/IR cutoff filter is epoxied in front of the photocell. If that's the case, it might be protected from this corrosion--it might be primarily on the outside. Re: overexposure--the cameras were designed for an ISO 100-125 film, but the new Polaroid film is faster at ISO 160. Polaroid recommends turning the exposure dial 1 to 1.5 'notches' of the three on each side of the exposure compensation wheel toward darken to account for this slightly faster film. Hope this helps--Steve
I’ve needed this video, you never let me down Noah !
For those that own the sx-70 you’re suppose to press and hold the shutter button until the photo fully ejects. Your welcome
First time I’ve heard of this, is there a reason why?
. IMACOR that’s how the camera is designed. This is what the cameras manual says “ squeeze shutter button until picture comes out of exit slot.”
Thanks you da man
Love my sun 660, and i'm actually considering picking up a sx-70 sonar. I just wish the film cost a liitle less.
I have both a sun 660 and sx-70 sonar. I gotta say if you're gonna take primarily day shots sonar all the way. The quality in picture is almost night and day. Idk whether it was my camera or the last year's film formula being really bad but I never had good results with the sun 660 in day or night
I bought my sx-70 from a guy that let them repair by a old Polaroid service guy in the Netherlands. Mine is not always right, but I have to turn the wheel to darken to get the right exposure. Oh and my sx-70 got some new duochrome yellow, you have to buy some of it! (With Nd filter) you will love it
Sorry , but please be reminded that there are two screws on both the upper right and upper left corners of the front cover. It’s better to remove these screws first before taking off the front cover. And thank you for this useful video!!!
Only the first models have these screws, later models do not have screws and instead the front cover just snaps on and is easier to remove.
The new film is just not the same the old stuff. We did a comparison video on our channel, showing the film from early 2000 side by side with a fresh new pack from the new polaroid. The results are wild!
Doesn't film expire?
I just picked up an SX-70 at an estate sale $2. I figured I really had no interest in shooting it. Sold it on the bay for $60. Not bad.
Bert T. not charging like crazy and passing equipment on to people who would use it!!! hella props to you!!
Good price and great pick. Easy profit without over charging if it was in good working order, nice
That's honestly still a good price for the camera. Whether it's working or has minor issues it still comes out cheaper than buying from Polaroid themselves
Just got my hands on a sx-70! Cant wait to test it! Thanks for good tips and tricks!
Now I have to spend my Saturday working on my SX-70.... 😄😉👍
yup, i bought a sx70 that needs to be cleaned quite a bit. i‘ll try to clean the light sensor too =)
Wonderful work. I watched your video, however, I was unable to find the problem that my camera has. When I put a film cassette in it and close the door it shoots a film out but then the shutter button is not working and the mirror is open so I can not see through the viewfinder. I took the camera apart, and it seems the button working fine. It must be something else broken. Do you know what could it be?
I have this camera but I cant see anything through the veiw finder its just black
uh oh! i went through these steps, everything seemed fine, but now that my camera is back together it will no longer shoot or load film--i just get nothing when i hit the red button or load a new film pack. Any ideas what I did wrong?
I had the same problem recently - it turns out my shutter blades were stuck. To fix this, you need to open the shutter housing again, remove the focus wheel and try to wiggle the plunger on the solenoid underneath it - the coil of wire that is attached to the shutter blades. Just gently push the plunger down towards the coil and see if that frees it up. Either that, or your battery contacts could be dirty, but I doubt that since it seems like you used the camera recently.
I finally found an SX-70 at a thrift store and I'm wondering if I should open it up before I try shooting anything with it.
What kind of screwdriver i have to use for opening the frontplate ( mine with screws). Polaroid SX 70 1973
I'm pretty sure you're getting a lot of low end feed back on your mic. It was really prevalant during the segments when you were wearing the lav mic, but I didn't notice anything in the other segments.
How can we clean the sensor from a 600? I have noticed the photos have a magenta color and are also overexposed
I had one of those in the 80's. Don't think I ever took a picture with it.
Amazing story, what colour shirt were you wearing?
@@tassadar1977 I didn't wear a shirt.
I can’t get the front panel of mine off.
Undoing those back screws releases the entire front assembly, not the front panel alone.
I did start to remove those unscrews until I released this.
It starts to unclip and doesn’t go further.
Do you use the wheel which is attached to the sensor or do you leave it on the normal position ?
I just got one of the MiNT ones.
Hi, I have exactly the same looking SX-70, but the front part just doesnt want to come off... you said that some cameras have screws that need to bee loosen before the front comes off. Can you tell me how i can recognize if my camera is one with the screws? Are there specific serial numbers or something? Thanks in advance! Best regards, Martin
Hi, I bought a sx 70 but the focus wheel does not move. Could you give me some suggestions? Is there a video explaining this topic?
Did you just use a dot of tacky glue or elmer's to glue the magnifying glass back on for the light sensor?
i recently bought an sx 70 autofocus camera. the Autofocus does not work but thats not really my problem. My problem is that the shutter stays open when i take a picture. It never closes. so the pictures dont really turn out that good because the mirror is literally the only thing that is kinda responsible for the exposure if you know what i mean.
Do you know how i can fix that? I recently send it in for repair but they didnt find anything besides the broken autofocus....
anyway great video
Recently tried this, but everything back together and now there doesn’t seem to be any power to camera when I put a new pack of film in. Any advice?
Love the sx70 😎
Hi! I just came into possession my dads old SX-70. I put in new film and hit the red button, but now it won’t stop making the whirring noise of the motor. Any ideas on how to fix that?
Thanks!
hey man, i love your vids. im having trouble finding out what type of polaroid sx-70 i have, yours has tik marks on the focus and mine has numbers and the infinity symbol, can you help me
Nice work !
The new polaroid stuff is ISO 160 while the old ISO 100 . That is why impossibile film look washed out and overexposed. Just turn the exposure wheel by 1/4 to the dark side every time and the problem is fixed
I'm pretty sure that even the old sx-70 film was 160 ISO
I was wondering if you have vintage polaroid sx-70 lens attachments? I received some polarized lens covers with my purchase on ebay, and can't find any information on them... Appreciate anyone's thoughts...
I have the original one step and I take the pictures and they come out completely dark. I’m not sure what I’m doing it’s it underexposed? I was inside and the lights are on, is it my camera? Idk
I have an issue where my shadows are incredibly dark on my SX-70. In other words, things seem underexposed. Unable to get any gradient in my photos. It is the time of day I'm shooting, the exposure wheel, or something else?
Really interesting vid :-) Thank you :-)
Hey :) new polaroid shooter here, i have a question: got an sx 70 in good condition, shot the first cartridge trough with no problems film counter working properly. Then i change cartridge and the counter stays to 0 so the darkslide isn't ejected. It still works flawlessly except for this, which means I have to keep count of the shots. I tried once the cartridge was empty to put it back in and out a few time but the counter still doesn't reset. Any tip?
Thanks for the info!
good stuff. thanks!
My SX-70 developed an issue finally just this year where the photo often gets stuck a bit while ejecting. If I try to yank out the half ejected photo, it smooshes around the chemicals all unevenly and messes up the photo. I think it just needs a good solid cleaning. Probably some chemicals from a leaky photo gunked up that little slot.
It's fairly easy to clean the rollers on it. Are you using a frog tounge on it?
Sami Hasselberg Yeah I need to clean ot maybe I guess a Qtip and some rubbing alcohol? It has an Impossible Project frog tongue. Its a refurbished model from back when they sold them for merely expensive (as opposed to now absurdly expensive). But I dont think the tongue is supposed to help with the rollers at all is it? Just helping a bit with light exposure when it first comes out.
I had a problem with the frog tounge being in the way and making it jam photos, I'd just check real quick with a darkslide if it can go out the front of it just to make sure
And yeah, I usually just use a damp cloth. But if it's really gunky you probably have to employ more than just water
Any idea if this process would apply to a 680? I'm having a lot of issues with overexposed photos and it's driving me INSANE
I'm not 100%, but the 680 and SX-70 are very similar in design so the light meter system might have the same issue as this.
@@AnalogResurgence Thanks for the heads-up! Love the show
I would say the composition of the shots did not help getting the exposure right. In the park you have light occupying the majority of the picture and of course it got overexposed. Get a darker background to have better results (like the picture with the bricks). Also, with the new films you need to diminish the exposure a bit by default through the dial
Isn't the new SX-70 film not the same ISO as the original stuff? I've noticed that it pretty much constantly overexposes unless I turn down the exposure comp a little, then it works great.
It is a little higher and darkening can help! But heavily corroded light meters components like these can really impact the cameras ability to expose consistently as well. I’ve seen a big change previously on a Sonar SX-70 I have once this piece was cleaned as well, never hurts to do some repair on these old cameras!
I was looking at doing this repair myself and was a little bit put off by mentions of the filter in front of the sensor breaking. Anyone done a lot of these repairs?
Use a gift card that has been sanded down to create a thin edge, and use it as a spudger.
I've been shooting spectra film for the past 2 weeks and most of my shots have come out over exposed and I've also been trying so turn the exposure down but it doesn't really work that well I feel like it's a problem with the film because fortunately my Polaroid Images System E camera is like new condition and functions amazingly I've never had any problems with jamming and such it's just been flawless for me so I'm thinking it's the film?
Weird, I've never really had problems with spectras. You're shooting the new PO film right? The guy who runs polamad recommends using these cameras to avoid the famous jamming problem that had PO stop producing spectra film.
www.polamad.com/polaroidshop-spectra2.html
That said I've shot a couple of different older models and never really had problems with the camera. In your case it's hard to tell if it's the camera or the film
Your friend Alex is violently Canadian
Which self timer did you use on the polasonic pronto?
The Polasonic has a socket on the side for a cable release! You can screw in a cable and trigger the camera remotely with this model.
@@AnalogResurgence thanks for your reply dude, and all the good content! Currently I still have to repair my pronto but this info is very useful. I don't know why polaroid didn't provide the rest of the models with standard release cable sockets
Is there an email address for you , so I can send a sampl
e photo and get some advice?
Great video, but I think your video rendered a little wired. Lots of repeat jump cuts showing you holding the cue tips lol. Whoops!!
I Caught it too late!
Hello, how do you unscrew the front cover then ?
It requires a small square screwdriver for the screws behind the front cover. I made a screwdriver by grinding down the edges of one that was too big so it would fit.
This may help you: www.beppebolchi.it/img/Contenuti/howtodisassembleasx.pdf
@@AnalogResurgence Thanks very much
Hey would you be interested in doing a motion picture video?
Recently found a Vintage One Step SX-70. I loaded B & W it took 7 of 8 pics last wouldn't work. I loaded a new film pack I took 2 pictures then it wouldnt work.
Do you think it's the camera or the film packs (from Amazon)?? Thanks
It sounds like it is probably an issue with the camera
@@AnalogResurgence thanks, think its the pick arm? It spits out a blank everytime I load the pack but not when I press shutter button.
Is there a company I can send my ax-70 to so that the can repair it?
There are some links in the description! Places like Mint, Brooklyn Film Camera and Retrospekt!
The problem is not a dirty sensor, but the film. The new film is around 130 ISO whereas the original film was 100 ISO. To fix this issue, you can replace a resistor in the light meter circuit to adapt to the new film sensitivity. If you want you can even choose a resistor value that will let you use 600 ISO film !
True, but it’s made worse by a dirty sensor!
@Jimmy Colorado It was merely a mention.
LOL
@Jimmy Colorado Start you own channel and plug Retrospekt since that's obviously your thing.
The problem with the sensors on the sx70s are well known. The film definitely makes a difference, but if your sensor is dirty you won't have good results