The Land List -- SX-70 Cameras

SX-70 INTEGRAL PRINT CAMERAS (SX-70)

Key to Symbols Used On This Page:

Camera uses SX-70 integral print films.

International Markets This model sold in International (non-USA) markets only.

Special Markets This model intended for "Special Markets" distribution (i.e. corporate premiums, prizes, and other non-retail distribution) only.

[Picture] Link to an illustration/graphic. Image links will load in a separate window.

Folding SX-70 Cameras:

ALL Folding SX-70 Cameras have the following features in common:

4-element 116mm f/8 glass lens
Minimum focus: 10.4 inches
Front-cell 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) Produced: 1972-1977 / Original Retail: $180.00

SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) viewing and focusing.
Chrome-plated plastic body with genuine leather covering.
-->> See list of features common to this category

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. In addition, some late-production SX-70's have the same fill-flash feature of the Alpha 1, though this feature may be undocumented in the camera's instruction manual.
The SX-70 was definitely a landmark camera in the history of photography, and, in my opinion, Dr. Edwin Land's masterpiece. Probably the most common folding SX-70 camera, however.
A (very) limited-edition gold-plated version of this camera was also produced. Some other limited-production color combinations may exist of the original SX-70, but beware that some may have been altered by the end-user, and were not produced that way at the factory.
NOTE: 'SE' (Special Edition) and 'BC' (packaged for K-Mart stores) versions were also produced.

[Picture]: A first-year production SX-70 [JPEG, 51k]

SX-70 Alpha 1: Produced: 1977-19?? / Original Retail: $233.00

Similar to SX-70 (Original Model), except:

Has "fill-flash" capability (using Flashbars)
Has tripod socket and neck strap lugs.

COLLECTOR'S NOTES: Early production 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. Other color variations of this camera may exist-- I've also seen a black-on-black version as well.
A limited-edition gold-tone version of the Alpha 1 exists.
NOTE: 'SE' (Special Edition) and 'Sears Special' (Sears stores) versions were also produced. There was also a Revue-branded version for sale in Foto-Quelle camera stores in Europe.

[Picture]: A chrome-and-tan leather Alpha 1 with a third-party electronic flash and an original chrome-and-black leather Alpha [JPEG, 14k]

SX-70 Alpha 1 Executive: Special Markets

Produced: 1977-19?? / Original Retail: $???.??

Similar to SX-70 Alpha 1.

SX-70 Alpha 1 Model 2: Produced: 1977-19?? / Original Retail: $180.00

Similar to SX-70 Alpha 1, except:

Black plastic body with brown vinyl ("Porvair") covering.

NOTE: Might also be known as the "Alpha 2"

[Picture]: SX-70 Alpha 1 Model 2 [JPEG, 40k]

SX-70 Executive: Special Markets

Produced: 1975-1977 / Original Retail: $???.??

Similar to SX-70 (Original Model).

SX-70 Model 2: Produced: 1974-1977 / Original Retail: $149.95

Similar to SX-70 (Original Model), except:

White plastic body with brown vinyl ("Porvair") covering. A black-on-black version also exists.

COLLECTOR'S NOTES: All Model 2's have split-image rangefinder circle. Seems that most have focus scales, but not all. Incidently, the top layer of the "Porvair" covering on this camera (and the Model 3) appears to become rather 'fragile' with age, and so may be easily scuffed and/or damaged. The vinyl coverings on some Alpha and Sonar models appear to be much more durable by comparison.
The (uncommon) black version of this camera has a pebble-grained vinyl covering similar to that of some Alpha and Sonar models, instead of the usual Porvair.

[Picture]: SX-70 Model 2 [JPEG, 26k]

SX-70 Model 3: Produced: 1975-1978 / Original Retail: $99.95

Similar to SX-70 Model 2, except:

Plain optical viewfinder; focus by scale only. (NOT an SLR)
Black plastic body with brown vinyl ("Porvair") covering.
Flashbar socket has been relocated to the top of the viewfinder (if it were in the same place as on the the other cameras, the Flashbar would be situated directly in front of the viewfinder window).

NOTE 1: This is the only folding SX-70 that is not a single-lens reflex. Even so, the shutter and mirror-flipping mechanisms function exactly the same as in its SLR cousins, even though the added complexity is totally unnecessary in this camera.
NOTE 2: Some late-production examples of this camera have neckstrap lugs (as found on the Alpha cameras).

[Picture]: SX-70 Model 3 [JPEG, 35k]

SX-70 Sonar OneStep: Produced: 1978-19?? / Original Retail: $249.95

Similar to SX-70 Alpha 1 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 are several color variations of this camera.

[Picture]: SX-70 Sonar OneStep (two versions; one is shown in its folded position) [JPEG, 24k]

TimeZero SX-70 AutoFocus: Produced: 1981-19?? / Original Retail: $279.95

Similar to SX-70 Sonar OneStep.

TimeZero SX-70 AutoFocus Model 2: Produced: 198?-19?? / Original Retail: $???.??

Similar to TimeZero SX-70 AutoFocus. What few of these that I have seen have all had a black vinyl covering over black plastic.

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 were also available
Rigid plastic body

USA models:

Encore!: Special Markets

Produced: 1977-1977 / Original Retail: $??.??

Similar to Pronto!, listed below.

OneStep: Produced: 1977-19?? / Original Retail: $39.95

Single-element 103mm f/14.6 plastic lens.
Fixed focus.
White-and-black plastic body.
-->> See list of features common to this category

NOTE: 'SE' (Special Edition), 'BC' (packaged for K-Mart stores), and 'Sears Special' (Sears stores) versions were also produced.

[Picture]: two OneStep cameras: one 'BC' version, and one regular model in display box.[JPEG, 16k]

OneStep Plus:

Produced: 19??-19?? / Original Retail: $??.??

Appears to be a Special Markets version of the Time-Zero OneStep, listed below.
Similar to OneStep except for some cosmetic restyling.

[Picture]: OneStep Plus [JPEG, 40k]

Presto!: Special Markets

Produced: 1978-19?? / Original Retail: $??.??

Similar to OneStep, except:

Gold-colored plastic body.

Pronto!: Produced: 1976-1977 / Original Retail: $66.00

3-element 116mm f/9.4 plastic lens. Lens on late-production models is color-coated.
Minimum focus 3 ft.
Front-cell focusing with focus scale on lens ring.
Black plastic body.
-->> See list of features common to this category

COLLECTOR'S NOTE: First non-folding SX-70 camera. (but also among the most common)
NOTE: 'SE' (Special Edition), 'BC' (packaged for K-Mart stores), and 'Sears Special' (Sears stores) versions were also produced.

[Picture]: Pronto! (earlier style lens ring) [JPEG, 23k]
Pronto! SE (later style lens ring) [JPEG, 23k]

Pronto! B: Produced: 1977-19?? / Original Retail: $59.00

Similar to Pronto!, except:

Silver-and-black plastic body. Lens ring has different style (see Pronto! SE picture, above). Plastic lens is color-coated.

Pronto! Extra: Produced: 1977-1978 / Original Retail: $??.??

Similar to Pronto!, except:

Supplied with self-timer and tripod mount.

Pronto! Plus: Produced: 1976-1977 / Original Retail: $??.??

Similar to Pronto!, except:

Originally supplied with carrying case, photo album, film, and Flashbar.

Pronto! RF: Produced: 1977-19?? / Original Retail: $88.00

Similar to Pronto!, except:

Has a single-window superimposed-image rangefinder.

COLLECTOR'S NOTE: Fairly uncommon.
NOTE: The design of the rangefinder in this camera is somewhat unusual in that the windows are vertically displaced (the RF patch image moves up/down rather than left/right)-- and-- from the looks of things-- aren't even in precisely the same axis.
NOTE: 'SE' (Special Edition), 'BC' (packaged for K-Mart stores), and 'Sears Special' (Sears stores) versions were also produced.

[Picture]: Pronto! RF (with close-up of RF window)[JPEG, 34k]

Pronto! S: Special Markets

Produced: 1976-1977 / Original Retail: $??.??

Similar to Pronto!

Pronto! SM: Special Markets

Produced: 1976-1977 / Original Retail: $??.??

Similar to Pronto!

Pronto! Sonar OneStep: Produced: 1978-19?? / Original Retail: $99.95

Similar to Pronto! except:

Autofocus; uses Polaroid Sonar AF system.
Full manual focus is also possible.
Low-light warning in viewfinder
Has a tripod socket and a cable-release socket.
Has an extra set of flash contacts behind the Flashbar socket; This extra socket does mate with a special electronic flash designed specifically for this camera, but I don't know what extra functionality these extra flash contacts might have provided (the flash otherwise seems similar to those sold for other Polaroid camera models).

Pronto! Sonar OneStep [JPEG, 28k]
[Picture]:

A Pronto! Sonar OneStep (Sears Special) shown with a 660 (also Sonar autofocus) camera [JPEG, 13k]

Super Clincher: Special Markets

Produced: 19??-19?? / Original Retail: $??.??

Similar to Pronto!, except:

Two-tone brown/tan-colored plastic body.

Super Clincher [JPEG, 23k]

The Button: Produced: 1981-19?? / Original Retail: $29.95

Similar to OneStep.

TimeZero OneStep: Produced: 1981-19?? / Original Retail: $49.95

Similar to OneStep, aside from a few cosmetic styling changes.

TimeZero Pronto AF: Produced: 1981-19?? / Original Retail: $109.95

Similar to Pronto! Sonar OneStep.

International models: (not sold in USA)

Model 500:

Produced: 19??-19?? / International Markets

Appears to be similar to OneStep (USA model), except for minor body trim differences; body is also brown in color instead of white.

Model 1000:

Produced: 1977-19?? / International Markets

Similar to OneStep (USA model).

[Picture]: Two minor variants of the 1000. Note that they have different colored shutter buttons.[JPEG, 15k]

Model 1000 S:

Produced: 19??-19?? / International Markets

Appears to be similar to Model 1000, but body is all black in color and has minor trim differences. There was also evidently a Revue-branded version (as the "Revue 1001") for sale in Foto-Quelle camera stores in Europe.

Model 1500:

Produced: 1977-19?? / International Markets

Similar to Pronto! B (USA model), except body is brown in color rather than silver/black.

Model 2000:

Produced: 1976-19?? / International Markets

Similar to Pronto! (USA model).

[Picture]: Model 2000 [JPEG, 22k]

Model 3000:

Produced: 1977-19?? / International Markets

Similar to Pronto! RF (USA model).

Instant 1000:

Produced: 19??-19?? / International Markets

Appears to be similar to Time-Zero OneStep (USA model), but lens panel is white in color rather than black.

Instant 1000 DeLuxe:

Produced: 19??-19?? / International Markets

Appears to be similar to Time-Zero OneStep (USA model).

Sonar AutoFocus 5000:

Produced: 19??-19?? / International Markets

Appears to be similar to Pronto! Sonar OneStep (USA model). There was also a Revue-branded version (as the "Revue Sonar AutoFocus 5005") for sale in Foto-Quelle camera stores in Europe.

Supercolor 1000:

Produced: 19??-19?? / International Markets

Appears to be similar to Instant 1000.

Supercolor 1000 DeLuxe:

Produced: 19??-19?? / International Markets

Appears to be similar to Instant 1000 DeLuxe.

Supercolor AutoFocus:

Produced: 19??-19?? / International Markets

Appears to be similar to SX-70 Sonar OneStep (USA model).

Supercolor AutoFocus 3500:

Produced: 19??-19?? / International Markets

Similar to Pronto! Sonar OneStep (USA model), except that lens panel is white in color rather than black, and manual focus distance scale is calibrated in meters only.

[Picture]: Supercolor AutoFocus 3500 [JPEG, 40k]

Last updated 11/27/2002

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	Camera uses SX-70 integral print films.
	This model sold in International (non-USA) markets only.
	This model intended for "Special Markets" distribution (i.e. corporate premiums, prizes, and other non-retail distribution) only.
	Link to an illustration/graphic. Image links will load in a separate window.