When the SLR... Isn't... - The strange history of the SX-70 Model 3
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- My name is Jake and I overhaul and repair instant cameras! Need your camera repaired? Message me through the links below!
In this episode of The Instant Camera Guy, I discuss the history behind - and perform a teardown - of one of the most baffling cameras ever made!
The SX-70 Model 3 is the only folding SLR model SX-70 that... isn't an SLR!
Like what I do? Find this video helpful or entertaining?
Feel free to buy me a beer (or two!):
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Update:
I've actually found prices for spares in a 1976 parts catalogue. To purchase direct from Polaroid, the Fresnel and curved mirror assembly together cost around $10.50US. The PCB was around $16US.
I do not know if this pricing reflects cost of production accurately however, but it does allow us to see the Fresnel was a significant cost. Clearly enough to warrant the Model 3 existing.
This channel is phenomenal, it feels like taking a college course on something I’m actually interested in. Keep up the good work my guy!
thank you for your kind words!
Bro once you figure out short form content this channel is gonna blow up, love your content keep it going!
Who says I want to do short form content?
I'll leave that brain rotting "tips and tricks" crap to Tik Tok
Great video as always!
Have you ever found a fix for a broken/missing rivet on the lens board hinge, where the face connects to the lower body of the camera? One of mine is missing and apparently the part is no longer produced.
yes, I have a fix for this. When it comes up I'll do a video on my method for this.
I'll need to wait until I have a busted rivet come my way for repair... or... you could send yours in!
It makes me wonder. If model 3 isn't slr camera, why they bother to put that viewfinder mirror inside it at all? Why they didn't just put a piece of plastic or metal there? I get it that they wanted to use that badly manufactured fresnels without necessity of modifying the way that mechanism of the camera works, but what's the reason behind putting inside of the camera mirror that reflects light on that faulty fresnel if that is a dead end anyway for that light? It seems so stupid form the perspective of the manufacturer, or I'm missing something about that design?
It's a mystery only Polaroid can explain
very interesting ! Thank you Sir :)
Thanks for another informative video Jake. It's refreshing to hear something said without mean spirited losers hiding behind social media. Shame on the greedy but lazy clowns, board members and share holders that actually had the nerve to remove focusing from an incredible camera for its time and still today. All because they decided to dump mistake/broken parts on the public to pay for. Polaroid I-2 much???
This camera fills me with an absurd amount of dread
It is very cursed
I started shooting on a model 3 for about 2 years before I upgraded to a Sonar model. it was difficult to focus one but in bright daylight I typically didn't have issues. overall it was really weird but i got really good results on sx-70 after learning to scale focus everything
4 feet to infinity on a bright day is honestly fine for the Model 3
But macro? Taking advantage of the 10" minimum focus... forget it!
I have a Model 3 that you can have when I get around to sending you an Alpha1 SE (blue button) to referb and convert.
The fresnel lens would be expensive. My guess.
very good guess ;)
Am glad I didn’t end up buying a model 3 then,I didn’t know this,was crap! thanks.
you're welcome :)
Never knew this channel existed. Very informational, I’ve been wanting to fix an Sx-70 I bought by myself but was to afraid I’ll damage it too much. I’ll watch videos and see if that changes
I've been repairing cameras for 13 years, but only made this channel a month ago!
Be warned, they are tricky little things!
I do make things look easy. If you've never done electronics repair, I suggest trying some hobby kits first to sharpen your skills before you dive in the deep end
I bought the model 3 for 100USD thinking it was like the model 1. Ill keep it for parts since it works and operates. Thank you for the information.
you have a read-made parts stash at your disposal!
Sorry I've been missing the latest videos Jake, looks like I've got some catching up to do.
Quite poetic that the Model 3 was born out of a need to reduce the waste of sub-par parts, and now in the twilight years of these cameras the Model 3 is serving the unique role of "organ donor". I agree with your take on the purpose for Model 3s in the modern day, what with film costing as much as it does. It's fascinating that Polaroid spent so much on the Fresnel screen that it was seen as less of a waste to engineer an entire new camera, rather than cutting their losses and eating the cost of that batch of defective Fresnel screens.
I've got a Model 3 that I picked up for like $45 shipped, which seemed like an "okay" deal. I'm debating on whether to send it your way when I send in my Sonar or Model 1 in exchange for repair credit, or to replace the skin and keep it for my collection. I think it's a very interesting piece of Polaroid history either way.
Can you also use the bellows from a Model 3 on other SLR Polaroids, or are they unique to the Model 3?
Entertaining and informative as usual Jake, keep up the good work!
Yes, you CAN use the Model 3 bellows to fix another camera. I do it all the time, and will do so with this model. Some were screwed in, others rivetted
One variant I actually forgot to mention was the Model 3 bellows that had no viewfinder hole! Its just pure rubber! On this variant its still possible to use the bellows for an SLR, you just need to very carefully die-cut a new hole. Tricky but not impossible
@@theinstantcameraguy Hah, good to hear! One more part that'll keep one more camera out of a landfill and in somebody's hands.
Not tubular at all!
I think maybe I meant "telescopic?" Or "optical". If you must nitpick, perhaps "folding optical finder" would have been more accurate.
To be honest I've only ever heard this term of viewing lens described on Graflex cameras, where the viewfinder looks like a tube.
Regardless of type, it's not an SLR! Which is more the point I was trying to make
Interesting! Thank you.
My model 3 (yes, I'm a cheapo) is trying to spit out 2 or 3 photos at once. The motor is continously cycling. How can I fix that?
@@gordwrath6811 hmmmm maybe geartrain timing issues
@@theinstantcameraguy do you fix American polariods? I got it today for $15
@@gordwrath6811 of course. I have heaps of USA based clients
Do you happen to know where to get a replacement mirror for the viewfinder system (not the taking mirror) other than a spare parts camera?
you would need to get it custom made
It's a front surface mirror cut to a special shape. Sometimes such mirrors are referred to as 'reflectors'
You would need to find a local specialty glass manufacturer. It would also have to precisely match the thickness the original uses. Be be prepared to have a heart attack once you get prices
The last place i looked into, it was around $80-$100AUD to get something cut to size
A spare parts camera is the best solution for a tech like myself, since I end up with numerous extra spare parts too
@@theinstantcameraguyThanks for the heads up. For the shape of the mirror, was there only one size or multiple? So far I've only seen trapezoids with the top corners beveled.
It has been a series of bad luck with me and SX-70s: Dead motor, dead MCM, later stripped gears, and now I accidentally dropped the best one I had (out of 2). Thankfully the fresnel is fine. Hoping to send you a sonar to overhaul sooner or later.
@@robertw1469 all SX-70s use the exact same mirror design, from the SX-70 Model 1 right the way through to the SLR680/690
I had no idea there was a "Zone Focus" SX-70! Cool video!
The fresnel!
Makes perfect sense to use a model 3 for spare parts, since it sounds like Polaroid literally just assembled them from spare parts to begin with
It's the circle of life
I have a model 2 that for some reason had a model 3 door, probably repaired at some point.
I use the spare doors all the time
I'm surprised they kept the moving mirror at all. Just fix the taking mirror in the up position.
For a cost reduced version they kept so much extra stuff not needed. Would have made more sense to just make it a folding Pronto/OneStep.
actually there is a reason they didn't! The SX-70 by default is an SLR, and thus the shutter blades are designed to stay open all the time (closing only for mirror movement and exposure) to allow you to see through the lens. Removing the internal mirror assembly entirely would ruin the film since the lens would always be exposing the film
On a box camera, the shutter is always closed until exposure.
To make what would basically be a folding Pronto, they would have had to engineer a new shutter and PCB too. Too costly to recoup costs on the fresnel.
So we end up with this strange crippled SX-70 instead
Couldn't they just use the assembly but not fix a Fresnel and a viewfinder mirror and just use a taking mirror? What's the point in using a Fresnel if you don't have a viewfinder?
@@kostaschicagobulls the fresnel and viewfinder assemblies likely were produced in huge batches before the discovery was made
Later Model 3s got rid of the fresnel and used a piece of aluminium
Also, the extra mirrors and fresnel/aluminium provide spacing for the mirror wheel it flaps up. its all precisely weighted etc
Mainly, it was to use up spares!
@@theinstantcameraguy I'd think modifying the shutter to be normally closed would be cheaper than all the mechanics needed to operate the fresnel/taking mirror assembly. Penny wise but pound foolish.
But it left behind a good source of spare parts for people like you ;)
I do think a folding version w/o the SLR mechanism would have been a cool idea.
But with the range markings visible from top/side, more like the Pronto. I never liked the later box cameras because of the boxy design.
I just got a Instax wide back for my Model 800 (originally Type 40 roll film) and looking at options for my Model 100 automatic.
You wouldn't have any resources for repairing a Model 800? I have a second (actually the one I first used back in the 80s) that has some view/range finder issues that I'd like to repair and convert to something (Instax square? 120? 4x5?)
@@TEDodd Option8 has the most detailed guides to those cameras