Polaroid's amazing sonar autofocus [Instant Breakdown]
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- Опубликовано: 3 мар 2020
- Sonar autofocus is one of the greatest technological and practical features ever integrated into instant cameras and one that hasn’t been re-created since. In this episode, we break down the history and mechanics of this unique 70s innovation.
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Right out of the gate, the production quality on this channel is insane. I am so happy this channel exists, especially now.
My man, thank you Max! These are some tough times, but happy to be pumping out this content finally!
When you slammed that SX-70 down like that I just died inside.
Great video as always!
Lol when it’s acting up sometimes there’s an unintentional slam! But he knows I love him and that’s what matters. Thanks mate!!
I'm surprised that you see the the sonar device as just a step forward in photography. There were other systems, and sonar did not prevail. But the Polaroid ultrasonic sensor was a revelation - inexpensive, reliable and versatile. They were being manufactured and used it other products long after the cameras went away. Every computer development system had an interface to that sensor, and it formed the foundation of an important industry. Those parking sensors on your car, early TV remotes, and thousands of other things, started out on a lab bench with a Polaroid sensor. (I still fondly remember the smell off the fixative wiper that you wiped across the print. Sometimes my folks let me do it.)
Sonar AF is so cool, I love explaining it to people, they're always suprised!
It's incredible! And it's virtually unknown across the board that Polaroid was at the bleeding edge of autofocus technology. Everyone thinks of Polaroid as antiquated tech but their innovations live on for sure.
@@InAnInstant Yeah, and in terms of design, I just love the variety they were able to create, that's why these cameras make such an interesting collection!
@@MichaWha Definitely! Every camera was a work of art in its own. Some are doinkers but most are shelf-worthy works - a true example of the merger of design and technology.
@MichaWha @In An Instant if you like explaining the sonar aspect, would you guys know the answer to this question: I have an Impulse AF with the timer option. If I wanted to take a picture of a blurry foreground subject looking out onto a clear in focus background on my DSLR, I could just hold down the shutter halfway so it focuses on the background and then go stand in the middle of the frame without it refocusing on me as the timer goes off. But regarding the sonar on the Impulse, would the sonar keep going off the entire 12 seconds its counting down or just as you initially press the button? If I walked into frame after like 8 seconds would it still focus on me?
wowwwwww March 4, 2020... for a video like this to come out... for a channel like this to start at that time, just wow...
Timing was quite insane
I think the lidar on the I-2 was an obvious evolution and pretty cool to see
Definitely! It all came around
This channel is a true blessing. Keep it up
Cezar you’re the man! Thank you!!
Am really happy that i founded this channel.
I mean the quality of the production of the videos is soo great that you would exspect on bigger channels, but no this channel has bellow 1000 subscribers and the love being put in to this channel is amazing!
Keep up with the great work!
Cheers BP! I definitely wanted to come out swinging with this channel so I did a lot of pre-production to define that look and the content. Hopefully the audience builds from here!
OK, this is high quality content - keep it up
Cheers Konrad!
The content quality is top notch!
Cheers Miles!!
can i just say, i fell in love with the intro? I haven't watched the full video yet but I had to comment how cool the that intro was!!! nice edit tooooo
That's the best thing I could hope to hear since it's the very first thing people saw when I first made the channel! Gotta come out of the gate hot 😂
I love this! I love that you added history and I’m excited to see more of your videos in the future. I just purchased my first sx70 sonar and was debating between that one or the original sx70. I think I made the right choice!
You totally made the right choice! The fact that you can go manual focus even on the sonar model makes it a win-win for sure. Thanks for watching and welcome to the SX-70 family!
Had to watch this again because I finally saved up money (again) to get a sx70 onestep sonar this week to replace my model 1 sx70. Still trying everything in my power though to get myself the slr 680. Such a certified doinker, indeed.
Starting to watch this Chanel's journey from the start to finish today really looking forward to watching all of these in chronological order. It's insane to thing that March 4 was just a few days before the world shut down that seems like ages ago and at the same time yesterday
It’s so true, this channel began at such a strange tipping point and I can’t believe it’s basically only existed during this most chaotic time of living. But, it has certainly been the relief and injection of positivity I have needed - thank you for watching along and checking out how it’s grown here!!
What a great video. As a proud owner of the SX-70 Sonar, I enjoy your informative (and hilarious) delivery tremendously.
Huge thanks Jason! Glad I can bust some folks up with jokes plus hard hitting instant info 😂
I love your channel! I've watched all of your videos and the recreated commercial at the beginning makes this video one of my favorites! -- Is that the original voice-over and music, or was it recreated too? (I've searched RUclips for an old copy of that Impulse-AF commercial, but have had no success.) -- Good luck and continued success to you! 👍🍀
Big thanks Allen! I loved re-creating this, here's the original spot, where you can hear the audio: ruclips.net/video/kbfVUW1diPo/видео.html
I love my 670AF. Got it few months ago, my first Polaroid ever.. after first color film I am now using BW film and it really makes great photos.
I bought untested AF660 yesterday for 13€..
It turned out it works fine, however flash won't flash..
Anyway, I love it!
Thank you mr.Land!
Thank you for great videos Ben!
Love this channel just subbed, came here from a recommendation on an analog resurgence video
Hell yes! Thanks Samantha, welcome to the squad 🦾
Man I've been trying to find one of these for ages, the only Polaroid's I own is the onestep land camera, and a kind of bulky greyish one that says "big swinger 3000" on it
Love your content, awesome as always. Also, this guy looks from the 80s but also from modern days, and it's amazing.
Lmao possibly why Matty Ice looks so good in that spacesuit!! And thank you!
@@InAnInstant The 660AF is custom painted right ?
Yes! It’s from Upcycled Classics
Amazing video edit skills
Much thanks, Laurens!
Loving your videos. I'm old enough to remember instant photography in the 90s but for a variety of reasons I have wanted to get back into instant photography but I have not made the plunge yet. I will most likely go with Fujifilms Instax as I live in Asia and that's most widely available (as well as the film of course).
I would love to know your thoughts or see you do a video on the ZINC technology (which I believe was also developed originally by Polaroid) and the cameras that use them such as the Canon Ivy Cliq, the Kodak printomatic and the Polaroid snap touch ( even though I know none of these are actually made by either Kodak or Polaroid....I believe it's some company called C and A marketing that owns various licenses including for ZINC technology).
Thank you mate, really appreciate you checking out the channel and I hope you take that plunge soon! Can't go wrong with Fuji Instax, I'm sure it'll all pull you back in. A couple people have mentioned a desire for a Zink video. It's not currently in the queue but who knows, I might crack into that eventually!
Most entertaining! Lol. Unfortunately, I picked up the Impulse, and not the AF model.
TIL why every time I've tried to take a photo out a window with my Spectra it's always blurry 😒
Loll glad to have finally solved this mystery for you
Turn off autofocus and you're good to go. The camera sets its focus to infinity. 👌
Alright, I'm gonna say you just got a subscriber. This has been one of the best Polaroid themed videos on RUclips I have seen, and I hope it continues as a series. Your production values seem high, you are knowledgeable about the content both historically and as a photographer, and I like the merging of old ephemera in the new format. The first four minutes of this video were great.
Now, I did feel that the last two minutes of the video felt very close to an advertisement for Polaroid Originals. Not that I have anything against them or their former namesake, the Impossible Project. However, I do feel its important to realize the current limitations as well. That being said, I would like to know upfront, whether this content is sponsored by Polaroid Originals or if you are affiliated with the company. If you just really like their products, that is fine, but I do want to know, and I think your viewers should know if they are watching sponsored content.
Hello Hunter! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and your kind words regarding the video, it truly means a lot as I've put in hard work in preparation to shape the look and content of the channel. I can say unequivocally that I am not sponsored by Polaroid Originals and hopefully the very branded look of the videos doesn't get me into some sort of conflict with them. While the tone of this video is exceedingly positive, I do have upcoming videos which discuss various issues like Spectra and film chemistry, so hopefully I don't just come off as a shill. Truth be told, I am just very inspired by the innovations Edwin Land brought to the world throughout his life and I do love what the Polaroid brand represents, so I couldn't help but bring that enthusiasm into the video. Thank you again, many more videos to come!
@@InAnInstant Thanks for your prompt and honest answer. I hope to see more content from you in the future. Can we expect content on older (rollfilm/packfilm) cameras as well, or will you be limiting yourself to those for which film is currently available.
Hunter Compton generally the focus will be on cameras with available film for the reviews, but for breakdowns and history everything is fair game! In fact, the next video (dropping 3/19) is about a non-integral Instant film.
The quality of your videos are insane man !♥
But i do have a question... Is AF on polaroid really necessary ? I mean even with the most basic polaroid everything is on focus after 1,2m (Yes i'm using metric, sue me haha)
Definitely a valid question!! I’d say it’s still a valuable asset, especially given Polaroid is essentially large format. You still benefit from the camera being able to separate SOME depth at closer ranges. But, like you said, at a certain distance it makes zero difference.
Hi! Where could I find that message from Oskar Smolokowski (the one you showed at 05:16)?
Hey Tristan! If you belong to the Impossible Project Facebook group, search for Polaroid's announcement post about the end of Spectra. He commented it on that one.
Great video. Love the production. Keep it up!
I'm just putting together a blog post about the sonar SX-70, can I embed your video (links back here and fully attributed)?
Thanks.
Yes Joseph, thank you! Any additional exposure for the vids is hugely appreciated.
@@InAnInstant Thanks. Just starting a new blog on instant photography. You can find the post here: instantfidelity.art.blog/2020/05/15/polariod-sx-70/
This is good quality. Keep up food work! Food? I mean good.
I'm all about that food work!! 7🍴🍴
Good day sir. So what's the deal with the Polaroid '636 Autofocus' is it really a autofocus camera? Rather is it free fixed focus? What's the deal?!?!
Dear "In An Instant", do you know a compatible Spectra film ? I have a Polaroid Image Pro. Thanks a lot.
Hi! Unfortunately that format is completely discontinued. There are no compatible films for that camera.
@@InAnInstant Thanks a lot for your fast answer.
What a pity not to be able to have these films. My heart burns.
Ah I just want an all black sonar with the blue button. Speaking while looking three of my sx-70s...
Come and play with us, Danny!
Forever and ever and ever
2021 here, we got mini cameras instead of wide cameras
Was Oskar talking about Polaroid Go?
I wouldn't put much thought into the Oskar comment.
@@InAnInstant that’s a fair idea… I guess he was trying to calm the seas a bit… I’m still looking out for a souped up Spectra replacement… hopefully it’s not like this Kodak Super 8 camera…
Didn't hear anything said in this video because I want that sweater so god damned bad.
Completely fair
Not subject-related, but is this sweater a Shining-reference?
Come play with us, Manuel.
Hell yeah!
Dude! When you putting out that Patreon?!
I think I'll be waiting a while until doing something like Patreon. While the show definitely will ultimately need that kind of support, I want to provide enough value and generate enough of a community first to justify that kind of ask.
@@InAnInstant I respect that. Though seriously, I don't think the instant community has had this level of quality videos before. I'm in love!
That’s the best reaction I could possibly hope for! And my mission is to keep delivering on that until the end times roll through!
How come everything is blue? Is the body for that 660 custom made? Same with the 680 button? Its also blue! Howwwww 🥺
Always color coordinating! 660 body is custom made and the 680 is the special edition with the blue button 💙
@@InAnInstant may i ask how and where you got the 660 body customized? 😅😅
@@alyzon18 Check out the legend www.upcycledclassics.com/
I swear to fuck they better introduce a spectra cartridge with a battery so you can still risk using it in a vintage spectra camera by your choice. It would be so easy to just make a new spectra camera and continue the film, and let consumers use at their own risk.
What does that say? Lemme up the video quality... Oh, it says "Human being"
lip-lay 😎
😂
OSKAR will NEVER release anything even close to the Polaroid SPECTRA...and why he killed the format off is just non-sense. As for the "sonar" in the 600 box cameras, it isn't really "autofocusing", rather just exchanging fixed focus lenses, just like in the new Polaroid NOW....2 fixed focus lenses....thus making "autofocus" claims a little iffy (Polaroid did the same thing with the box 600 sonars).
We’ll see about the former. Regarding the latter, I’m dubious to the distinction of fixed focus element-switching vs automatic lens focus-racking in plastic analog cameras, it’s still automatically focusing the camera, just a different way to do so mechanically. If that’s the way forward, so be it! I prefer that to fixed focus lenses without question.
Great contents. I think the new Polaroid will come up a new Spectra camera model next year.
Unfortunately they will never produce Spectra again, the machines are decommissioned and they have said repeatedly they will never revive it. Breaks my heart to say it!!