Polaroid SX-70: buying one used, which film, and how to shoot it
The short answer
The Polaroid SX-70 is the 1972 folding SLR instant camera, and owners still praise its sharp 116mm glass lens, bright through-the-lens focusing and a body that folds to about 1.5 inches thick.
It is also more than 50 years old: refurbished bodies cost $399-$685 with a warranty at US shops, untested ones often need a service (Retrospekt charges $249), and SX-70 film works out to about $3 a shot.
- Made
- 1972-1981
- Lens
- 116mm f/8 glass
- Film
- SX-70, ISO 160, 8 shots
- Refurbished
- $399-$685
Built from 155 opinions from 30 pages and videos. Not yet tested by Camera Dojo. Updated .
The short version
Every folding SLR version (the chrome Original, the white Model 2, the Alpha 1 and the autofocus Sonar) uses the same 4-element 116mm f/8 lens. Exposure is automatic, with only a lighten/darken wheel to nudge it, and there is no battery in the camera: each film pack carries a flat 6-volt battery, so a camera that seems dead may only need a fresh pack.
Owners rave about the viewfinder, the lens and the fold. Their complaints are about age and film: jams, stuck mirrors and dead electronics are common on unserviced bodies, and many owners set the wheel one mark toward darken because today's film tends to come out too light.
Good fit if
- You want sharp, close instant portraits: the glass lens focuses down to 10.4 inches.
- You want an instant camera that folds flat enough for a jacket pocket.
- You enjoy focusing by eye through the lens, or you want the Sonar model's autofocus.
- You will buy a refurbished or restored body, or you are fine paying for a service.
Think twice if
- You want cheap prints. SX-70 film costs $21.99 to $26.99 for 8 shots.
- You want manual exposure. The only exposure control is the lighten/darken wheel.
- You shoot mostly indoors without flash. ISO 160 film and slow shutter speeds blur easily; the Polaroid SLR 680 has a built-in flash.
- You want consistent results every time. Instax Wide is more forgiving (see Polaroid vs Instax).
- You expect a cheap untested camera to work out of the box.
What owners and reviewers say, topic by topic
We sorted 155 opinions about the SX-70 from 30 pages and videos on 26 websites and channels. Each row shows how many people raised a topic and how many of them were positive. Open a row to read short quotes, each linked to its source.
Owner voices come mostly from blogs and reviews (Dan Finnen, Jim Grey, Casual Photophile, Analog.Cafe, 35mmc and others) plus five YouTube reviews. Reddit, photo.net and Photrio could not be read, so forum voices are thin, and the Brooklyn Film Camera customer reviews come from the seller's own site, so they lean positive. Some comments are about today's Polaroid film rather than the camera itself.
Image results44% positiveof 16
Owners like the soft, vintage look and the sharpness, especially for portraits. Many add that today's Polaroid film is less consistent and less vivid than the original SX-70 film, with color shifts in heat or cold.
“it is a far cry from the original films.”
f.64 Academy 2016Owner
“The SX-70 is truly an incredible tool for portraiture.”
Dylan Thissen, 35mmc 2024-01Owner
“The color renditions are good if you shoot a well lit subject.”
“But it's just not as good as the old Polaroid films in terms of color accuracy and sharpness.”
Jim Grey, Down the Road 2020-04Owner
Viewfinder and focusing69% positiveof 16
Mostly praise: the big, bright through-the-lens finder and split-image circle make focusing precise, and the long eye relief suits glasses. Complaints are about dark Model 2 finders, distortion and needing to look in at just the right angle.
“Focusing was easy, the split prism is quite clear.”
Photothinking 2019-03Owner
“Lining up that central manual focus circle is slow, precise and satisfying.”
Tim, TechRadar 2023Owner
“over the years I've taken hundred's of pic's with them, never had any problems with the viewfinder.”
“Because of the mirrors, lenses, and other gadgetry that lets the camera fold up, the image you see in the viewfinder is super distorted.”
Dan FinnenOwner
Reliability today19% positiveof 16
This is the weak spot. Owners report jams, stuck mirrors, ejection failures and cameras that do nothing with film loaded, and reviewers advise buying a tested or serviced body. A few long-term owners say a serviced SX-70 holds up to years of use.
“These cameras are old, and unfortunately susceptible to breakdowns.”
James Tocchio, Casual Photophile 2017-06Owner
“I have two sx 70 cameras, they seem dead, ie dont do anything when I put the film pack in.”
“but as a whole it performs reliably, and it makes photography a joy.”
Branden J. Stanley, That Vintage Lens 2018-07Owner
“After cleaning some chemicals off the dirty rollers, my SX-70 was working good as new!”
Rocky Trifari, The Rocky Safari 2024-02Owner
Light meter and exposure29% positiveof 14
Opinions lean negative. Exposure is fully automatic with only a lighten/darken wheel, and several owners say their cameras overexpose current film until the wheel is set one or two marks toward darken; a few were happy with their exposures, one even against a big white backdrop.
“pretty much without fail my model overexposed.”
Dan FinnenOwner
“Getting a good photo on the first try is unlikely”
David Firman, WalkClickMake 2021-03Owner
“One thing I've found is that a little bit goes a long way”
Sara Johansen, Shoot It With Film 2023-09Owner
“And we solved it the same way, moving the lighten/darken control one tick toward darker.”
Controls and features43% positiveof 14
Split. Sonar owners praise the autofocus as fast and accurate, and the flashbar system is simple. Others miss manual exposure and a built-in flash, and note the counter starts at 10 although today's packs hold 8.
“One of the frustrations of working with the Polaroid SX-70 camera is its fully automatic exposure system.”
David Firman, WalkClickMake 2021-03Owner
“For starters, the counter is incorrect as it counts down from 10 photos, while the new film only contains 8 per cartridge.”
Photothinking 2019-03Owner
“it is extremely fast, accurate, useful, and most of all reliable.”
Dylan Thissen, 35mmc 2024-01Owner
“All you needed to do was snap the flashbar in the slot, and everything was done for you”
Dan Cuny camera collecting blog 2025-04Owner
Price and value31% positiveof 13
Leans negative, mostly because film costs about $3 a shot, which makes bracketing painful. The camera itself can be cheap, and a Brooklyn Film Camera customer called its restoration price reasonable for the quality.
“It's still wicked expensive at $25 a pack”
Jim Grey, Down the Road 2020-04Owner
“You get 8 shots in a pack. That's $3.75 a shot.”
Brennan Probst, brennanprobst.com 2015-01Owner
“Plus, an SX-70 like this is still not too expensive compared with an Instax.”
David Hume, EMULSIVE 2019-05Owner
“You need to be a keen SX-70 photographer to justify the steep CAN $1239 list price for the SLR670-S”
David Firman, WalkClickMake 2021-03Owner
Size and weight75% positiveof 12
Nearly everyone praises how flat it folds, small enough for a jacket pocket. One owner says it is about the size of a VHS tape and twice as heavy, and others note that the Sonar module or an attached flash bar makes it bulkier.
“The sonar module also makes the camera a bit too long to travel well when folded”
Dan FinnenOwner
“SX-70 is small enough to fold into a purse, a tiny backpack, or a jacket pocket.”
Dmitri, Analog.Cafe 2023-09Owner
“What made this camera unique was its odd and different design and its very slim design.”
Dan Cuny camera collecting blog 2025-04Owner
“The Polaroid SX-70 starts out as a compact, flat camera, making this camera a traveling dream.”
Sara Johansen, Shoot It With Film 2023-09Owner
Film availability33% positiveof 12
Split. Owners are glad Polaroid still makes SX-70 film in color and black and white, and 600 film works with a filter or conversion. Others found it out of stock or harder to find in stores than 600 and i-Type, and note it must be stored cool.
“Like other SX-70 fanatics, I tried buying old stock online, but much of it was spoiled.”
“I'm tickled to know there are film packs still available.”
f.64 Academy 2016Owner
“Sent my SX-70 in to be refurbished, reskinned and converted to use Polaroid 600 film! Haven't had any issues yet!”
“Film needs to be stored in cool temperatures or else it spoils”
Tim, TechRadar 2023Owner
Build quality64% positiveof 11
Owners admire the design and the rigid body that many mistake for metal. The caveats: it is plated plastic, Porvair vinyl skins crumble with age, and one repairer says the chrome plating weakened the hinges.
“For some models this skin is made of leather while in others it is a horrible plastic material that is disintegrating with age.”
“If you're into aesthetics, the design of the SX-70 Land Camera truly cannot be beat.”
Sara Johansen, Shoot It With Film 2023-09Owner
“Its body was so strong and durable that many people then and now believe it to be metal”
James Tocchio, Casual Photophile 2017-06Owner
“a gorgeous chrome and leather exterior (although it's still chrome-covered plastic) that exuded quality”
Branden J. Stanley, That Vintage Lens 2018-07Owner
Ease of use78% positiveof 9
Most owners call it simple to shoot: open it, focus and press the button, and even first-time Polaroid users get the hang of it. Two owners add that simple controls do not make good results easy, because you only see the exposure once the print develops.
“However, SX-70s are not easy to use”
Dmitri, Analog.Cafe 2023-09Owner
“Operation is simplicity itself; the SX-70 is a fully automatic camera.”
Brennan Probst, brennanprobst.com 2015-01Owner
“The more I used the SX-70, the more I started to love using this camera.”
Photothinking 2019-03Owner
“I am so pleased that I had such a good experience with my Polaroid SX-70 this time”
Jim Grey, Down the Road 2020-04Owner
Repairs and servicing75% positiveof 8
Mostly positive: owners describe good service from shops such as Brooklyn Film Camera and MiNT, and simple home fixes like cleaning the battery contacts. The warnings are that cheap refurbishments can fail fast and truly skilled repairers are rare.
“The first one I bought from a big site broke almost immediately due to it being refurbished with cheap parts.”
Sara Johansen, Shoot It With Film 2023-09Owner
“Meanwhile, both my sx-70 are alive again.”
“I found their service to be efficient and friendly.”
David Firman, WalkClickMake 2021-03Owner
“I used an emery board, i.e. fingernail file of about 15cm. long(6 inches) and lightly sanded several strokes on top of both contacts.”
Batteries and power71% positiveof 7
Owners like that the battery lives in the film pack, so every new pack brings fresh power and many cameras sold as dead only need film. The catch is that old or used-up packs cannot power the camera.
“Working battery pack will bring the mirror down!”
“you can see how so many of these cameras from the 1970s remain operational in circulation today.”
Rocky Trifari, The Rocky Safari 2024-02Owner
“every time you put a fresh roll of film into the SX-70, you were also putting fresh batteries in the camera.”
Dan Cuny camera collecting blog 2025-04Owner
“This means you can usually get a good deal on SX 70 cameras as their owners seldom think they operate due to dead batteries.”
Blake Rudis, f.64 Academy 2016-02Owner
Lenses100% positiveof 7
Every opinion on the lens is positive: owners call the 116mm f/8 glass lens sharp and praise its close focus and the soft background blur it gives up close.
“It's sharp and will serve you just fine.”
Dan FinnenOwner
“The objects in the background and foreground melt away into creamy fuzz with this lens.”
Dmitri, Analog.Cafe 2023-09Owner
“the SX-70's manually focused glass lens allowed a clarity that remains among the best to this day.”
Branden J. Stanley, That Vintage Lens 2018-07Owner
“there are practical advantages like close focus, the length of the exposures possible and the quality of the lens.”
David Hume, EMULSIVE 2019-05Owner
PositiveMixedNegative
Which SX-70 model should you buy?
Every folding SLR model uses the same 4-element 116mm f/8 glass lens, so the choice comes down to finish, focusing and a few extras. Brooklyn Film Camera calls the Model 2 the best starting point for most buyers: same optics, plastic body.
Two things to watch. First-year Originals (October 1972 to October 1973) have a plain ground-glass screen with no split-image circle, so they are harder to focus. And the Model 3 looks like an SX-70 but is not an SLR: it has a simple viewfinder and scale focusing.
| Model | Made | Price new | What is different | Refurbished today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 1972-1977 (Brooklyn Film Camera says 1972-1973) | $180 | Brushed chrome and leather; no tripod socket or strap lugs | $399-$449 Retrospekt, $540 Brooklyn Film Camera |
| Model 2 | 1974-1977 | $149.95 | White plastic body with brown Porvair vinyl; same optics | $399 Retrospekt, $560-$605 Brooklyn Film Camera |
| Alpha 1 | From 1977 | $233 | Adds fill flash, a tripod socket and strap lugs | $549 Retrospekt, $640-$660 Brooklyn Film Camera (Alpha 1 Model 2) |
| Sonar OneStep | From 1978 | $249.95 | Sonar autofocus with manual override, AF preview and a low-light warning | $549 Retrospekt, $665-$685 Brooklyn Film Camera |
| Model 3 | 1975-1978 | $99.95 | Not an SLR: plain optical finder, focus by scale | Skip it if you want through-the-lens viewing |
Sonar models focus on the nearest object, so switch to manual focus (a button on the left of the sonar housing) when shooting through a window.
Sources: instantoptions.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, retrospekt.com, danfinnen.com
How to check a used SX-70 before you buy
This follows Brooklyn Film Camera's checklist plus owner tips. Treat any untested or sold-as-is listing as a camera that may need a full restoration. For where to shop, see where to buy used film cameras.
- 1
Bring a used pack and a flashlight
A finished film pack often still has battery charge, enough to power the camera without wasting film. If you are buying online, ask the seller for a short video of the checks below.
- 2
Open it and cycle an empty pack
Grip the ribbed top of the viewfinder and pull up until it locks. An empty pack with a dark slide in it lets the motor push the slide out, which checks the ejection system without using film.
- 3
Look for pinholes in the bellows
In a dim room, open the camera and the film door, shine the flashlight inside and look for pinpoints of light, especially at the corners. Pinholes show up as orange or white streaks on prints (more in our guide to light leaks).
- 4
Check the viewfinder and lens
A dim, hazy or spotted view points to dirty or degraded mirrors, and the front of the lens should be free of scratches, haze and fungus. Two slanted lines in the finder are only wear marks on the fresnel and do not show on prints.
- 5
Ask for recent prints
A camera that cycles perfectly can still expose badly, so ask for recent prints from that exact camera. Repeating spots or a light streak down every print point to dirty rollers.
- 6
Make sure it is not a Model 3
It looks similar but has a simple viewfinder instead of through-the-lens viewing.
- 7
Test with a fresh pack on arrival
An old pack's weak battery can make a good camera look broken. Test it as soon as it arrives so you can still return it.
Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, analog.cafe, shootitwithfilm.com, retrospekt.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, dancuny.com
Which film works in an SX-70, and what each photo costs
The camera was designed for Polaroid SX-70 film: ISO 160, 8 shots per pack, with the camera's battery built into every pack. On October 28, 2026, Polaroid's US store listed color SX-70 film at $21.99 a pack ($19.00 each in a 5-pack) but showed a back-in-stock notice; Brooklyn Film Camera sells it for $26.99. That works out to about $2.38 to $3.37 a photo. Run your own numbers with our film cost per photo calculator.
Polaroid 600 film (ISO 640) is easier to find, as Brooklyn Film Camera and owners point out, but a stock SX-70 overexposes it by about two stops. You can fix that with an ND filter that sits on top of the pack ($12 for two at Retrospekt) or with a 600 conversion ($129 at Retrospekt), which is one-way: SX-70 film will not work afterward. Brooklyn Film Camera fits an OpenSX70 board to every SX-70 it sells, which switches between the two films with no filter.
i-Type film will not work, because its packs have no battery. Old expired SX-70 packs are a gamble: one longtime owner who bought old stock online found much of it spoiled, and a dead pack battery cannot power the camera. Our Polaroid film guide compares every current Polaroid format.
| Film | ISO | Works in a stock SX-70? | Price | Per photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polaroid SX-70 (color or black and white) | 160 | Yes. Color develops in 10-15 minutes, black and white in 5-10 | $21.99 at Polaroid ($19.00 each in a 5-pack), $26.99 at Brooklyn Film Camera, color | $2.38-$3.37 |
| Polaroid 600 | 640 | Only with an ND filter or a 600 conversion | $22.00 at Retrospekt | $2.75 |
| Polaroid i-Type | n/a | No: the packs have no battery | n/a | n/a |
Store unopened packs in the fridge, not the freezer, let them warm for an hour before shooting and use them within a year of production. More in Does Polaroid film expire?.
Sources: polaroid.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, retrospekt.com, retrospekt.com, retrospekt.com, retrospekt.com, bluemooncameracodex.com, analog.cafe
How to shoot a Polaroid SX-70 and get good prints
Exposure is automatic, so good prints come down to a few habits that owners and repair shops keep repeating.
- 1
Open it and load the pack
Pull the viewfinder housing up until it locks. Press the small yellow tab on the side, let the door below the lens drop open, slide the pack in and close the door; the dark slide ejects.
- 2
Set the wheel one notch darker
Polaroid recommends one notch toward darken (about half a stop) with its current SX-70 film. The wheel resets to the middle every time you fold the camera, so check it after opening.
- 3
Focus with your eye held back
Turn the focus wheel until the split-image circle lines up; the lens focuses down to 10.4 inches. Hold your eye a little back from the eyepiece and look straight in to see the whole frame.
- 4
Press and hold the red button
Keep it down until the print starts to eject. A quick jab can stall the cycle and leave the mirror stuck up.
- 5
Shield the print as it comes out
Get it out of the light right away, since color film stays light sensitive longer than black and white and can show blue streaks. In cold weather, keep it in an inside pocket while it develops.
- 6
Use flash, or brace it in the shade
With flash the shutter always fires at 1/40 s. Without it, mirror slap shakes the camera, so in medium to deep shade brace it or use a tripod; the Original has no tripod socket, the Alpha 1 and Sonar do. A reusable MiNT Flashbar 2 reaches about 16 feet.
- 7
Read the counter correctly
The counter starts at 10, but today's packs hold 8, so 2 on the counter means the pack is empty.
Sources: dancuny.com, analog.cafe, retrospekt.com, blog.jimgrey.net, retrospekt.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, shootitwithfilm.com, instantoptions.com
SX-70 vs SLR 680: which folding Polaroid?
 SX-70 | SLR 680 | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Manual split-image (Sonar model: autofocus) | Sonar autofocus |
| Flash | None built in; socket for a flash bar | Built-in electronic flash |
| Film it was designed for | SX-70 film, ISO 160 | 600 film, ISO 640 |
| Size folded | Slimmer and lighter, fits a coat pocket more easily | Noticeably bulkier folded and a little heavier, because of the flash and sonar housing |
Pick the SX-70 if
- You want the slimmer, lighter folding Polaroid, or you want to shoot SX-70 film.
- You like focusing by eye and shoot mostly in daylight.
Pick the SLR 680 if
- You shoot indoors or at night a lot and want the flash built in.
- You are happy with 600 film and do not mind the extra bulk.
Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, youtube.com
Known problems and what fixing them costs
These are the faults owners, repairers and repair guides mention most. Repair prices are the flat fees Retrospekt publishes; Brooklyn Film Camera quotes after inspection and has a waitlist for outside SX-70 work.
Worn-out electronic control module
Raised in 3 opinions
- How you notice
- Dead even with a fresh pack, or prints that are always too light or too dark. Polaroid's 1972 module has no new replacement stock.
- Fix
- A full service, or replacing the module with a modern OpenSX70 board, which Brooklyn Film Camera fits to every SX-70 it sells.
- Typical cost
- $249 flat fee at Retrospekt ($279 for Sonar models); Brooklyn Film Camera quotes after inspection
Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, retrospekt.com, retrospekt.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com
Dirty, rusty or dented rollers
Raised in 3 opinions
- How you notice
- Repeating spots, white dots or a light streak on every print; prints or the dark slide stick.
- Fix
- Wipe the steel rollers with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water and let them dry. Dented or worn rollers need a technician.
- Typical cost
- Free to clean; otherwise part of Retrospekt's $249 or $279 service
Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, dancuny.com, blog.jimgrey.net, retrospekt.com
Camera stops mid-cycle with the mirror stuck up
Raised in 2 opinions
- How you notice
- Black viewfinder, the camera will not fold closed and no print comes out. Often caused by jabbing the button or a weak pack battery.
- Fix
- Press and hold the button again, or in dim light pull the pack out about an inch, push it back and close the door; a fresh pack often brings the mirror down. Never force the camera shut, since that can damage the fresnel carrier or kink the bellows.
- Typical cost
- Usually free; if it stays stuck, $249 ($279 for Sonar) at Retrospekt
Sources: retrospekt.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, dancuny.com, flickr.com, retrospekt.com
Film jams and ejection failures
Raised in 4 opinions
- How you notice
- The motor whirs but nothing comes out, or a print stops halfway; a jam can leave the camera unable to fold. A motor that keeps running or a camera that ejects print after print points to a switch or control fault instead.
- Fix
- Stop pressing the button, since repeated tries can strip gears, and send it for repair. A bent pick arm or worn gears need a technician.
- Typical cost
- $249 flat fee at Retrospekt ($279 for Sonar)
Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, danfinnen.com, danfinnen.com, photothinking.com, retrospekt.com
Overexposure from drifted metering
Raised in 6 opinions
- How you notice
- Washed-out prints at the neutral setting of the lighten/darken wheel.
- Fix
- Set the wheel one or two marks toward darken. A service recalibrates the camera so it shoots true to the dial; one commenter blames corroded filters on the electric eye of old boards.
- Typical cost
- Free workaround; recalibration is part of Retrospekt's $249 or $279 flat fee
Sources: analog.cafe, blog.jimgrey.net, danfinnen.com, retrospekt.com
Pinhole light leaks in the bellows
- How you notice
- Orange or white streaks that do not repeat at a fixed spacing.
- Fix
- Check with a flashlight inside the opened camera in a dim room. Leaks need a technician, usually as part of a full restoration.
- Typical cost
- Quoted after inspection at Brooklyn Film Camera; Retrospekt's $249 flat-fee page does not mention bellows work, so ask first
Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, retrospekt.com
Peeling or crumbling skins
Raised in 2 opinions
- How you notice
- Scuffed, flaking or crumbling covering, especially the Porvair vinyl on Model 2 cameras; one repairer says the flakes shed dust inside the camera.
- Fix
- Cosmetic: replace the skins yourself or have new leather fitted during a service.
- Typical cost
- $22-$25 a set from Retrospekt; its $249 flat-fee service fits new leather skins
Sources: instantoptions.com, analog.cafe, danfinnen.com, retrospekt.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com
Hazy or fungus-damaged mirrors and lens
Raised in 1 opinion
- How you notice
- A dim, hazy or spotted viewfinder image that makes focusing hard.
- Fix
- Professional optical cleaning. Check the view and the front of the lens before buying.
- Typical cost
- Included in Retrospekt's $249 or $279 service
Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, photothinking.com, retrospekt.com
Photos taken with a Polaroid SX-70
One print shot on an SX-70 with Impossible Project color film; more sample photos will be added later.
Downtown street corner, 2015, shot on an SX-70 with Impossible Project color filmPhoto: Makia Minich, CC BY-SA 3.0
What a Polaroid SX-70 costs today
Refurbished and restored bodies from US shops cost $399 to $685 with a 90-day or six-month warranty. Working used cameras go for roughly $100 to $350 depending on condition, so ask any private seller whether the camera has been serviced. eBay, KEH and MPB blocked our price checks, so marketplace sold prices are not listed.
Retrospekt
Refurbished, B-grade, 90-day warranty, SX-70 Original, chrome (lowest grade)
$399
See listingRetrospekt
Refurbished, A-grade, 90-day warranty, SX-70 Original, chrome and tan leather
$449
See listingRetrospekt
Refurbished, 90-day warranty, SX-70 Model 2, white
$399
See listingRetrospekt
Refurbished, 90-day warranty, SX-70 Alpha 1, chrome
$549
See listingRetrospekt
Refurbished, 90-day warranty, SX-70 Sonar Autofocus, black
$549
See listingBrooklyn Film Camera
Restored, OpenSX70 board, 6-month warranty, SX-70 Original
$540
See listingBrooklyn Film Camera
Restored, OpenSX70 board, 6-month warranty, SX-70 Model 2, varies with leather and button color
$560-$605
See listingBrooklyn Film Camera
Restored, OpenSX70 board, 6-month warranty, SX-70 Alpha 1 Model 2
$640-$660
See listingBrooklyn Film Camera
Restored, OpenSX70 board, 6-month warranty, SX-70 Sonar (autofocus)
$665-$685
See listingCapture resale guide (2026)
Used, working, good, standard SX-70, recent sale averages
$100-$200
See listingCapture resale guide (2026)
Used, working, excellent, standard SX-70, recent sale averages
$200-$350
See listingCapture resale guide (2026)
Not working, for parts, standard SX-70
$20-$60
See listingeBay
Mixed, often untested, price not checked by us (eBay blocked automated checks)
Check sold listings
See listingPolaroid (US store)
New film, Color SX-70 film, 8 shots ($19.00 each in a 5-pack); showed a back-in-stock notice
$21.99
See listingBrooklyn Film Camera
New film, Polaroid SX-70 color film, 8 shots
$26.99
See listing
Prices checked on October 28, 2026. They move every week, so treat them as a range, not a quote. Used ranges come from Capture's 2026 resale table. Capture is a photo-digitizing company and its intro quotes lower figures than its own table, so treat them as rough; Analog.Cafe put SX-70 bodies at $100 to $300 in 2023. Retrospekt's A and B grades are mechanically identical; B shows more chrome wear. Brooklyn Film Camera's six-month warranty can be extended six more months for $90.
Video reviews worth your time
Polaroid SX-70 Review - Shooting with the Camera
The Polaroid SX-70 is a beautifully designed folding SLR instant camera with a bright viewfinder, though shooting with modern film requires careful exposure compensation and temperature awareness.
Polaroid SX-70 vs SLR 680 Showdown [Instant Review]
The Polaroid SX-70 remains a legendary SLR instant camera with sharp glass optics, though its lower film ISO and external flash requirement make it less convenient than the SLR 680.
The Ultimate Polaroid SX-70 Guide
The Polaroid SX-70 is an iconic, compact folding SLR instant camera that offers great results, though it requires external lighting indoors and film counter adjustment for modern packs.
Exploring Zurich with the Polaroid SX-70 (Review)
The Polaroid SX-70 is a legendary, highly portable folding SLR instant camera whose real glass lens and innovative design produce standout analog photos, though film costs require thoughtful shooting.
Polaroid SX-70 Overview
The Polaroid SX-70 is a highly praised instant camera that offers a unique combination of folding portability, SLR manual focus, and close-up capabilities.
Specifications
Body and lens
- Minimum focus
- 10.4 in (0.26 m)
Exposure and flash
- Shutter
- Electronic, 1/175 s to over 10 s (Retrospekt lists 14 s; Analog.Cafe gives 1/180 s as the top speed)
- Exposure compensation
- Lighten/darken wheel, up to about 1.5 stops per Retrospekt's guide (its product page says 1 stop)
- Remote release
- Socket for an electric remote shutter release
- Tripod socket
- None on the Original; added on the Alpha 1 and Sonar
Film, power and size
- Developing time
- 10-15 minutes color, 5-10 minutes black and white
Questions people ask about the SX-70
Can you still get film for a Polaroid SX-70?
Yes. Polaroid still makes SX-70 film in color and black and white, 8 shots per pack. Its US store listed color packs at $21.99 on October 28, 2026 but showed a back-in-stock notice, and Brooklyn Film Camera sells them for $26.99. Polaroid 600 film also works with an ND filter or a 600 conversion; i-Type does not.
Sources: polaroid.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com, retrospekt.com
Does a Polaroid SX-70 need batteries?
No. The camera has no battery of its own: every film pack holds a flat 6-volt battery that runs the motor, the shutter and the electronics. If a camera seems dead, try a fresh pack before assuming it is broken; one Flickr group member revived a dead camera by lightly sanding the battery contacts.
Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, dancuny.com, flickr.com
How much is a Polaroid SX-70 worth?
Capture's 2026 resale table puts working SX-70s at $100-$200 in good condition and $200-$350 in excellent condition, and non-working ones at $20-$60. Refurbished bodies with a warranty cost $399-$549 at Retrospekt and $540-$685 at Brooklyn Film Camera (October 2026). Alpha 1 and Sonar models cost more than the Original and Model 2.
Sources: capture.com, retrospekt.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com
How do you open and close a Polaroid SX-70?
To open it, hold the camera in your palm, grip the ribbed top of the viewfinder and pull up until it locks. To close it, slide the locking bar back toward its arrow and press the top down until it clicks. If the camera stalled with the mirror up, do not force it shut: that can damage the fresnel carrier or kink the bellows.
Sources: dancuny.com, retrospekt.com
Which SX-70 model should I buy?
Brooklyn Film Camera calls the Model 2 the best starting point for most buyers: it has the same lens as the Original in a plastic body. The Alpha 1 adds a tripod socket, strap lugs and fill flash, and the Sonar adds autofocus with a manual override. Skip the Model 3 if you want an SLR: it has a simple viewfinder and scale focusing.
Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, instantoptions.com
Can you use 600 film in an SX-70?
Yes, with a fix. 600 film is ISO 640 against SX-70 film's ISO 160, so a stock camera overexposes it by about two stops. An ND filter that sits on top of the pack ($12 for two at Retrospekt) needs no modification, while a 600 conversion ($129 at Retrospekt) is permanent and stops the camera from taking SX-70 film.
Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com, retrospekt.com, retrospekt.com, brooklynfilmcamera.com
Why are my SX-70 photos coming out too light?
Today's film often comes out light in these cameras, so Polaroid recommends setting the lighten/darken wheel one notch toward darken, and many owners go one or two marks. The wheel resets to the middle each time you fold the camera. If prints stay washed out, the metering has likely drifted, and a service recalibrates it.
Sources: analog.cafe, blog.jimgrey.net, retrospekt.com
Is the SLR 680 the same as an SX-70?
No, but it is a close relative. The SLR 680 uses the same folding SLR design and adds sonar autofocus, a built-in flash and electronics made for 600 film, which makes it bulkier. Brooklyn Film Camera suggests the SX-70 if you want the classic camera, like focusing by eye and shoot mostly in daylight, and the 680 if you shoot a lot indoors or at night.
Sources: brooklynfilmcamera.com
What people compare it with
Polaroid SLR 680
The same folding SLR design with sonar autofocus, a built-in flash and native 600 film. Noticeably bulkier folded and a little heavier.
A modern Polaroid with manual controls and a sharp autofocus lens that also takes SX-70 film. It does not fold.
MiNT SLR670-S
A rebuilt SX-70 that shoots 600 film natively and adds manual shutter speeds with MiNT's Time Machine add-on. WalkClickMake calls its CAN $1239 list price steep.
Analog.Cafe points people who care most about ease of use to Instax Wide: a larger frame, wider dynamic range and more consistent results.
Every source behind this page
Read them yourself. How we pick and count them is in our methodology.
Show all 51 sources
Manuals and references 21
- brooklynfilmcamera.com: How to Check a Used SX
- brooklynfilmcamera.com: OpenSX70 Board: Why Every Polaroid SX
- brooklynfilmcamera.com: SX-70 vs SLR 680
- brooklynfilmcamera.com: SX-70 Buyer's Guide 2026
- brooklynfilmcamera.com: 600 Modification
- brooklynfilmcamera.com: Polaroid SX-70 Repair & Restoration in Brooklyn | Mail
- brooklynfilmcamera.com: Polaroid SX-70 Troubleshooting
- capture.com: How Much is an Old Polaroid Camera Worth
- retrospekt.com: How Do I Control the Exposure of My Folding SLR Polaroid SX-70 Camera?
- retrospekt.com: Why do I see slanted lines when looking through the viewfinder of my S
- retrospekt.com: Why are there blue streaks on my Polaroid photo after it finishes deve
- retrospekt.com: Why does my Polaroid SX-70 camera stop halfway through taking a pictur
- retrospekt.com: Leather Replacement Skins
- retrospekt.com: Polaroid SX-70 Cameras
- retrospekt.com: ND Filters for SX-70 Instant Film Cameras (2-Pack)
- retrospekt.com: Polaroid SX-70 Original Chrome Instant Camera
- retrospekt.com: Polaroid SX-70 Sonar Autofocus Folding Camera Repair
- retrospekt.com: Polaroid SX-70 to 600 Film Conversion Service
- retrospekt.com: Polaroid SX-70 Folding Camera Repair (Non-Autofocus Models)
- instantoptions.com: The Option-al Landlist - SX-70 Cameras
- polaroid.com: Color SX-70 Film
Independent blogs 20
- Dan Cuny camera collecting blog: Polaroid SX-70 Camera
- Dan Finnen: Polaroid SX
- Dan Finnen: Polaroid SX
- f.64 Academy: A few days with a Polaroid SX 70 Land Camera
- Jim Grey, Down the Road: Operation Thin the Herd: Polaroid SX-70
- Jim Grey, Down the Road: Polaroid SX-70 - Down the Road
- That Vintage Lens: Polaroid SX-70 Review
- Photothinking: Polaroid SX-70
- 35mmc: Polaroid SX-70 - An Early Experience Shooting a Pack of ...
- Shoot It With Film: The Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Review
- Analog.Cafe: Polaroid SX
- WalkClickMake: The Polaroid Folding SX-70 on Steroids
- Coagula: Repairing a Polaroid SX-70 - Coagula
- Alpha: A comprehensive list of all the issues Polaroid SX
- EMULSIVE: Polaroid Originals SX
- The Rocky Safari: The $5 Discovery: How a Polaroid SX-70 Ignited My Passion for Instant Photography 📸
- Jim Grey, Down the Road: Updated review: Polaroid SX-70
- Consider the Spider: SX-70
- brennanprobst.com: brennanprobst.com: Spotlight: Polaroid SX
- Analog.Cafe: Thank you so much for this review! I love instant photography and own an original SX
Video reviews 5
Retailer customer reviews 2
Editorial reviews 2
Forums 1
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