The Polaroid Sx-70 Land Camera: A 70S Innovation

The Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera, created by Edwin Land, debuted in 1972 and was the first instant SLR camera in history. The camera was a folding single-lens reflex camera that used Polaroid's new integral print film, which developed automatically without the photographer's intervention. The SX-70 was a game-changer for instant photography and gained a cult following that remains today.

The SX-70 was the first instant SLR camera in history, produced from 1972 to 1981

The SX-70 was a folding single-lens reflex Land camera, also known as an SLR. It was compact and flat, making it ideal for travel. The camera had to be opened with a bit of force by pulling up on the viewfinder, which would then pop up, and then pulling straight up until the entire camera was open. A metal bar with an arrow was then clicked into place to keep the camera open. Closing the camera was the reverse of this process.

The camera had a 4-element 116mm f/8 glass lens and an automatic exposure system. It allowed for manual focus as close as 10.4 inches (26.4 cm) and had a shutter speed range from 1/175s to more than 10 seconds. The camera also featured two adjustment wheels on the top face, one for focusing and the other for controlling the darkening and lightening of the image.

The SX-70 was an innovative and groundbreaking camera that revolutionised instant photography and gained a cult following that persists to this day.

It was created by Edwin Land, the founder of Polaroid

The Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera was created by Edwin Land, the founder of Polaroid. The SX-70 was a top-secret project started by Land, with the SX standing for "special experiment". It was the first instant SLR camera in history and the first camera to use Polaroid's new integral print film, which developed automatically without the photographer needing to intervene. This was a revolutionary development at the time.

In 1972, at a Polaroid company meeting, Land pulled the SX-70 out of his jacket pocket and took five instant photos in ten seconds. This was truly instant photography for the first time ever. The SX-70 was a folding camera with a compact, flat design, making it a dream for travelling photographers. It featured a 4-element 116mm f/8 glass lens and an automatic exposure system. The camera allowed for manual focus as close as 10.4 inches (26.4 cm) and had a shutter speed range from 1/175s to more than 10 seconds.

The SX-70 was an expensive camera, but it became popular in the 1970s and retains a cult following today. It was praised and used by photographers such as Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, Helmut Newton, and Walker Evans. The SX-70 was produced by the Polaroid Corporation from 1972 to 1981.

The SX-70 has a folding body design and a 4-element 116mm f/8 glass lens

The Polaroid SX-70 is a folding single-lens reflex Land camera produced by the Polaroid Corporation from 1972 to 1981. The SX-70 was the first instant SLR in history and the first camera to use Polaroid's new integral print film, which developed automatically without the photographer's intervention. This was revolutionary at the time and helped popularise instant photography.

The SX-70 has a sophisticated design, with a collapsible SLR requiring a complex light path for the viewfinder. It features three mirrors, including one Fresnel reflector, set at odd angles to create an erect image on the film and an erect aerial image for the viewfinder. The body of the original model was made of glass-filled polysulfone, a rigid plastic plated with a thin layer of copper-nickel-chromium alloy to give it a metallic appearance. Later models used ABS plastic in either Ebony or Ivory colour.

The SX-70 was expensive when it was released, costing $180 for the camera and $6.90 for each film pack of ten pictures (equivalent to $1,311 and $50, respectively, when adjusted for inflation). Despite the high cost, the SX-70 gained popularity in the 1970s and retained a cult following. Photographers such as Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, Helmut Newton, and Walker Evans used and praised the SX-70.

The camera allows for manual focus as close as 10.4 inches (26.4 cm)

The Polaroid SX-70 is a folding single-lens reflex Land camera that was produced and sold by the Polaroid Corporation from 1972 to 1981. The SX-70 was the first instant SLR in history and the first camera to use Polaroid's new integral print film, which developed photographs automatically without any intervention from the photographer. This was a revolutionary feature at the time and helped to popularise instant photography. The SX-70 was also the first camera to feature an electronically controlled 'flash-bar' socket for the insertion of a 10-bulb flashbulb unit.

The SX-70 has a folding body design, a 4-element 116mm f/8 glass lens, and an automatic exposure system known as the Electric Eye. The camera features manual focus as close as 10.4 inches (26.4 cm) and has a shutter speed range from 1/175s to more than 10 seconds. The top of the camera has two adjustment wheels: one for focusing and the other for controlling light and dark settings.

The SX-70 was an expensive camera when it was released, retailing for $180 (approximately $1,311 when adjusted for inflation). Despite this, the SX-70 was popular in the 1970s and retains a cult following today. Photographers such as Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, Helmut Newton, and Walker Evans have used and praised the SX-70.

The SX-70 film was last produced in 2005 and sold out by March 2006

The SX-70 was a folding single-lens reflex Land camera produced by the Polaroid Corporation from 1972 to 1981. It was the first instant SLR in history and the first camera to use Polaroid's new integral print film, which developed automatically without the need for intervention from the photographer. This was revolutionary at the time and helped to popularise instant photography.

After the film was discontinued, small quantities could still be found on e-auction sites, but none of it was guaranteed to work. The film was prone to flat batteries and dried-up chemicals, and any remaining film would likely be expired.

In October 2006, a brand new SX-70 film was introduced, which used an internal neutral-density filter and modified chemistry to yield vibrant colours, strong contrast, and high resolution. However, this film lacked the manipulability of the original SX-70 film, which artists used to create unique effects.

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