Polaroid Camera Focus: Infinity And Beyond?

Polaroid cameras have been around since 1948 and have become synonymous with instant photography. The original Polaroid Corporation filed for bankruptcy in 2001, but the brand lived on as The Impossible Project, later becoming Polaroid Originals, and eventually returning to the name Polaroid. The company now offers refurbished vintage cameras, new analog models, and hybrids.

The Polaroid Sun 660 Autofocus Instant Camera is a great option for beginners, with a reasonable price point and beginner-friendly features. The camera uses an automatic flash with override and a Sonar Autofocus system, which helps establish the distance to the subject and adjust the focus for sharper images.

For those seeking a more advanced model, the Polaroid SX-70 SLR Land Camera Sonar Autofocus offers manual focusing and a maximum aperture of f/8, allowing for a shallower depth of field and great bokeh. This camera is a favourite among photographers such as Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, and Helmut Newton.

With a variety of options available, both vintage and modern, Polaroid cameras continue to be a popular choice for photographers interested in the unique charm and instant gratification of Polaroid photography.

The Polaroid SX-70 SLR Land Camera Sonar Autofocus is regarded as one of the best vintage Polaroid cameras of all time

The key feature of the SX-70 Sonar is its circular sonar dish, which sits above the lens. This dish emits sonar waves to determine the distance to the subject, resulting in sharp, instant photos every time. This autofocus system can be turned off with a switch, allowing for manual focus, which is useful when taking pictures through windows or when making close-up portraits. The camera also has a built-in electronic flash that adjusts to lighting conditions and a light management system to prevent overexposure.

The SX-70 Sonar was introduced in 1978, six years after the original SX-70, and it still retains its popularity among photographers and collectors. It is prized for its iconic design, innovative features, and unique ability to produce one-of-a-kind instant prints. The camera's manual controls and foldable design have made it a favourite among artists and those seeking creative control over their photographs.

The Polaroid SX-70 SLR Land Camera Sonar Autofocus is a highly sought-after collector's item and remains a popular choice for instant photography enthusiasts. Its combination of innovative technology, creative control, and iconic design has solidified its place as one of the best vintage Polaroid cameras ever created.

The Polaroid Sun 660 Autofocus Instant Camera is a beginner-friendly option with an automatic flash and Sonar Autofocus system

The Sun 660 is a serious collector's item, wrapped in '80s charm and fully refurbished. It has a unique, squared-off '80s aesthetic and is easy to use, with a simple point-and-shoot mechanism. The camera also has a foldable design, making it compact and perfect for travel.

The Sun 660 uses Polaroid's 600 film, which is specially designed to power vintage Polaroid cameras. The camera has a built-in electronic flash, which can be turned on or off, giving you better creative control.

The Sonar Autofocus system works by pushing out high-frequency sound waves, much like a bat, to determine how far away your subject is, and then adjusts the focus accordingly. This results in less guesswork and sharper photographs.

Overall, the Polaroid Sun 660 Autofocus Instant Camera is a great choice for beginners, offering an easy-to-use, point-and-shoot experience with the added benefit of the Sonar Autofocus system for sharper images.

The Polaroid 600 Square Instant Camera is one of the cheapest vintage Polaroid cameras on the market

The Polaroid 600 Square Instant Camera is a great option for beginners and those looking for a cheap vintage Polaroid camera. It is a simple and easy-to-use camera that produces instant photos. The built-in flash and fixed-focus lens make it a point-and-shoot camera, allowing users to quickly capture moments. The camera also has a wide aperture range of f/14-f/42, ensuring that users can capture images in a variety of lighting situations.

The Polaroid 600 Square Instant Camera is part of the Polaroid 600 series, which includes other models such as the Polaroid 600 Round Instant Camera and the Polaroid 600 OneStep Close Up Instant Camera. These cameras are collectible and often refurbished models from the '80s, '90s, and '00s. Polaroid no longer makes cameras and film, but the Impossible Project formed to create new film for vintage Polaroid cameras. This led to the development of their own new 'I-Type' cameras, which are similar to the vintage 600-type Polaroid but with the battery in the camera rather than the film cartridge.

The Polaroid 600 Square Instant Camera is a great choice for those looking for a cheap and easy-to-use vintage Polaroid camera. It produces instant photos with a classic Polaroid look and is a great addition to any collection of vintage cameras. The camera's simplicity and point-and-shoot capabilities make it a fun and convenient option for beginners and casual photographers. With its wide aperture range and focus range, the Polaroid 600 Square Instant Camera is a versatile camera that can be used in various lighting conditions and situations.

The Polaroid Supercolor 670 AF is one of the best Polaroid 600 cameras produced, with an ultrasonic focusing module for focusing from 60cm to infinity

The Polaroid Supercolor 670 AF is a fantastic option for those seeking a Polaroid 600 camera with excellent focusing capabilities. This camera stands out for its ultrasonic focusing module, enabling you to capture sharp images from a distance of 60cm all the way to infinity.

The Supercolor 670 AF is an instant camera designed for the 600 format, featuring a sleek, almost entirely black exterior. Its functions are similar to the Polaroid Autofocus 660, but with the addition of Polaroid's Sonar autofocus system. This system ensures that your photos are always in focus, no matter the distance. The camera also comes with a built-in flash, powered by a battery conveniently located in the film pack.

When it comes to film options, you won't be disappointed. While Polaroid no longer produces film for this specific camera, The Impossible Project has stepped in to fill the gap. They have been producing instant films for this format since 2020 and have even brought back the legendary Polaroid brand. You can choose between the Polaroid Color Film for 600 and the Polaroid B&W Film for 600 to capture stunning colour or monochrome images.

The Supercolor 670 AF is incredibly easy to use. Simply load the film by sliding the camera's side slider, insert the film cassette, and close the slider. The protective plastic film on the film will automatically be ejected, and you're ready to start shooting. The camera's viewfinder will help you frame your subject, and with the push of the shutter release button, the photo will be transported out of the film cassette. As the photo develops, the image will emerge, and in just a few minutes, you'll have a fully formed Polaroid picture to admire.

The camera is powered by a disposable battery found within the film cassette, ensuring you always have enough power for both the camera and the flash. Each time you replace the film cassette, you get a fresh battery, so there's no need to worry about extra batteries. Remember to dispose of the used film cassettes properly by taking them to a suitable local drop-off point for recycling.

The Polaroid Supercolor 670 AF is a fantastic choice for photographers who want the convenience of an instant camera with the added benefit of precise focusing capabilities. With its sleek design, easy-to-use features, and versatile film options, it's no wonder this camera is considered one of the best in the Polaroid 600 series.

The Polaroid 600 SLR 690 Folding Instant Film Camera is regarded as one of the best vintage Polaroid cameras ever created, combining the best features of the SX-70 and 600 film camera lineups

The Polaroid 600 SLR 690 Folding Instant Film Camera is widely regarded as one of the best vintage Polaroid cameras ever created. It combines the best features of the SX-70 and 600 film camera lineups, offering a unique blend of form and precision that is still highly sought after by photographers today.

The SLR 690 was first introduced in 1996 as a contemporary version of the iconic SLR 680, which was discontinued in 1987. The camera features a collapsible body, exposure adjustment options, a Sonar AutoFocus system, and a built-in flash. It is a true single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, allowing photographers to see exactly what the camera lens sees and make precise compositions.

One of the key advantages of the SLR 690 is its advanced autofocus system. The sonar-based autofocus works faster than many modern cameras and can easily focus on low-contrast subjects, even those off-center. This makes it ideal for capturing action shots and ensuring that every detail is in sharp focus.

The camera also offers manual focus capability, giving photographers even more control over their images. The SLR 690's viewfinder is large and bright, making it easy to compose shots and see how the camera is focusing and framing the scene. This is a significant advantage over other Polaroid cameras, which often have smaller or dimmer viewfinders.

In terms of image quality, the SLR 690 delivers sharp and vibrant photos. The lens is known for its exceptional sharpness, and the camera's exposure system ensures that the main subject is correctly exposed. The built-in flash also adds versatility, allowing for fill-flash photography to soften shadows and enhance outdoor scenes.

The SLR 690 is powered by a wafer-thin battery included with each film pack, so there's no need to worry about separate batteries. Additionally, the camera's collapsible design makes it easy to carry in a large pocket, making it convenient for travel and on-the-go photography.

Overall, the Polaroid 600 SLR 690 Folding Instant Film Camera is a highly capable and sought-after vintage camera. Its combination of features, image quality, and portability have made it a favourite among photographers and collectors alike, solidifying its place as one of the best vintage Polaroid cameras ever created.

Frequently asked questions