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descriptions of SX-70 camera models
all folding SX-70
cameras have the following features in common:
- 4-element 116mm f/8
glass lens
- Minimum focus: 10.4
inches
- Unit 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):
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
NOTES: 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.
This
was definitely a landmark camera in the history of photography,
and Edwin Land's masterpiece. Probably the most common folding
SX-70 camera, however.
SX-70 Alpha 1:
Similar
to SX-70 (Original Model), except: Has "fill-flash" capability
(using Flashbars). Has tripod socket and neck strap lugs.
COLLECTOR'S
NOTE: Early 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.
SX-70 Alpha 1 Executive:
(Special Markets) Similar to SX-70 Alpha 1.
SX-70 Alpha 2:
Similar
to SX-70 Alpha 1, except: Black plastic body with brown vinyl
("Porvair") covering.
NOTE:
This might actually be called the "SX-70 Alpha 1 Model 2"
SX-70 Executive: (Special
Markets) Similar to SX-70 (Original Model).
SX-70 Model 2:
Similar
to SX-70 (Original Model), except: White plastic body with brown
vinyl ("Porvair") covering.
COLLECTOR'S
NOTES: All Model 2's have split-image rangefinder circle. Seems
that most have focus scales, but not all.
SX-70 Model 3:
Similar
to SX-70 Model 2, except:
Plain
viewfinder; focus by scale only, NOT an SLR. Black plastic body
with brown vinyl ("Porvair") covering.
SX-70 Sonar OneStep:
Similar
to SX-70 Alpha 2 except: Autofocus; uses Polaroid Sonar AF system.
Has AF "preview" available before exposure is made. Full manual
focus is also possible. Low-light warning in viewfinder.
NOTE:
There may be a few color variations of this camera.
TimeZero SX-70 AF:
Similar to SX-70 Sonar OneStep.
Non-Folding
SX-70 Cameras:
All Non-Folding SX-70
Cameras have the following features in common:
- Electronic shutter.
- Programmed auto exposure;
long exposures possible on most if not all models.
- Has Flashbar socket
for flash; accessory electronic flashes available
- Rigid plastic body
USA
Models:
Encore!: (Special
Markets) Similar to Pronto!, listed below.
OneStep:
Single-element 103mm
f/14.6 plastic lens. Fixed focus. White-and-black plastic body.
Presto!: (Special
Markets)
Similar to OneStep,
except: Gold-colored plastic body.
Pronto!:
3-element 116mm f/9.4
plastic lens. Minimum focus 3 ft. Front-cell focusing with focus
scale on lens ring. Black plastic body.
COLLECTOR'S NOTE: First
non-folding SX-70 camera. (but also among the most common)
Pronto! B:
Similar to Pronto!,
except: Silver-and-black plastic body. Lens ring has different
style.
Pronto! Extra:
Similar to Pronto!,
except: Supplied with self-timer and tripod mount.
Pronto! Plus:
Similar to Pronto!,
except: Originally supplied with carrying case, photo album, film,
and Flashbar.
Pronto! RF:
Similar to Pronto!,
except: Has rangefinder.
Pronto! S: (Special
Markets)
Pronto! SM: (Special
Markets) Similar to Pronto!
Pronto! Sonar OneStep:
Similar to Pronto!
except: Autofocus; uses Polaroid Sonar AF system. Full
manual focus is also possible. Low-light warning in viewfinder
Has an extra set of flash contacts behind the Flashbar socket;
apparently this was for a special electronic flash designed specifically
for this camera,
but I don't know what extra functionality this extra socket might
have provided.
The Button: Similar
to OneStep.
TimeZero OneStep:
Similar to OneStep.
TimeZero Pronto AF:
Similar to Pronto! Sonar OneStep.
International
Models:
Model 1000: Similar
ttep (USA model).
Model 1500: Similar
to Pronto! B (USA model).
Model 2000: Similar
to Pronto! (USA model).
Model 3000: Similar
to Pronto! RF (USA model).
600
model folding cameras:
SLR 680:
Similar to TimeZero
SX-70 AF, (see Folding SX-70 cameras, above) except: Uses 600
film. Has built-in automatic electronic flash. Flash reflector
automatically tilts depending on focus distance.
NOTE: The later production
models of this camera (when it was only sold as the SLR 680 SE)
have slightly different trim than the earlier ones.
SLR 690:
Similar to SLR 680,
except: Analog metering/timing circuitry has been replaced by
a 4-bit microcontroller.
© Martin Kuhn,1997,
The Land List. Used by permission.
It's SX-70 © Copyright
Joy M. Opfer, 1999. All rights reserved.
Legal disclaimer: I don't have a thing to do with Polaroid Corp.,
and they do not guarantee the accuracy of information of this site.
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