Where Can I Buy A Old Polaroid Camera

The Polaroid Now+ and Polaroid Impulse AF are two excellent options both recommended below.

November 2021 Update: Polaroid has discontinued the OneStep ii and OneStep+, replacing them with the Polaroid At present and Now+. I recommend steering articulate of the cheaper Polaroid At present and going for the Now+, which I recommend below for the all-time selfie camera. Also, if y'all're in the market place for a tiny instant film photographic camera, the Fuji Instax Mini 11 is a much better bet than the new Polaroid Go, which is not recommended below.

Looking to go a used Polaroid camera and don't know where to commencement? Want to know what the all-time vintage Polaroid photographic camera is out there for your instant photography project? Wondering how these newfangled Polaroid cameras stack up to the old ones? Never fright! I've drawn upward this guide to help you in your quest to notice the perfect Polaroid camera for y'all (or whoever you're buying it for).

First, Some Background Data…

First, if you're unfamiliar with the state of Polaroid cameras these days, here'south a quick rundown. In 2008 Polaroid discontinued producing new instant film. Millions of cameras started collecting dust in attics all across the country. Unhappy with this deplorable state of affairs, a group calling themselves the Incommunicable Project purchased an old Polaroid manufactory and began development on new films that could be used in the older cameras. Eventually, the Impossible Project rebranded itself as 'Polaroid Originals,' then, finally, just 'Polaroid' every bit old and new merged. The new Polaroid film is a chip different from original Polaroid of yore, but it'south still fantastic. For our purposes hither, when I say 'Polaroid' I mean the modern, new company, and I'll say 'vintage Polaroid' when referring to Polaroid'south pre-Incommunicable years.

With all the new films (and cameras!) beingness released, it's never been a improve time to hop into the world of instant film! Polaroid cameras that were in one case considered worthless are an increasingly hot commodity. So it's practiced to know what you lot're looking for before yous spend your cash on a used new, or refurbished camera.

It'due south worth noting that Fujifilm makes their ain line of Fuji Instax instant film cameras, and y'all've probably seen them out at that place if you're interested in instant photography. Fuji's cameras use a different kind of film than Polaroid. While I dear Polaroid cameras and Polaroid Originals film for artistic purposes, Fuji Instax's inexpensive and plentiful motion picture is often a perfect fit for events like parties and weddings. If you're interested in checking them out, I accept a guide for those cameras also.

The Master Classes of Polaroid Cameras

The chief iii types of vintage Polaroid cameras out in the wild are SX-70, 600, and 1200/Image/Spectra.

Both SX-seventy and 600 are pretty like, and the ones you're probably virtually familiar with. They characteristic the classic foursquare frame that we know and love, merely SX-70 cameras tend to exist older and use a lower ISO picture show, while 600 cameras are newer and are more than sensitive to low-cal. In my feel, 600 type cameras are much more than undecayed since they've had less fourth dimension to age and go damaged, and benefit from newer technologies.

Vintage Polaroid also fabricated a line of cameras directed at professional industries. Information technology's been called Paradigm, Spectra, and type 1200, simply it'southward even so thing. The motion picture in paradigm cameras is slightly wider and has the same sensitivity every bit 600. Due to problems with these cameras, Polaroid has officially stopped making flick for Spectra, so I've removed those cameras from this guide.

When in doubt, cheap box-type Polaroid 600 cameras are unremarkably the mode to go for most people. SX-seventy cameras tend to be far more than finicky and difficult to utilize, and don't react well to anything only bright sunlight. While at that place are older Polaroid cameras that use peel apart-film and fifty-fifty big format Polaroid backs, we're going to go along this elementary and focus on SX-70 and 600.

Finally, modernistic Polaroid has a new new line motion-picture show called 'I-Type'. This is essentially the same kind of film as Polaroid 600, except information technology can only exist used in new Polaroid cameras that have their own battery and is a bit cheaper. Information technology won't work in whatever vintage cameras.

What to Await for When Buying a Used Photographic camera

Ownership vintage Polaroid cameras can be tricky, because it's often hard for the seller to be able to tell if the photographic camera works or non. Polaroid cameras themselves do not take batteries; the film cartridge itself powers the whole unit. So without a relatively expensive pack of film, it's impossible to tell if the camera works or non. Often a seller will think a perfectly practiced camera doesn't work because an expired film cartridge doesn't have a charge anymore.

I bring an empty cartridge with a good bombardment to examination cameras if I'g ownership from somebody in person, but on the internet yous're simply going to have to trust your instincts. I've had fairly proficient luck on eBay, but you never know for certain until you get it in your hands. Generally, you're going to accept a lot more luck with newer cameras than older ones. Once yous go your photographic camera, it'south a good idea to test it out using this guide.

The exception are new 'I-Type' cameras that Polaroid sells. These are cameras that have batteries in them, so they can utilize 'I-Type' moving-picture show, which is the same moving-picture show as Polaroid 600, just doesn't have a built-in battery in the pack itself. The but camera on this list is the Polaroid Now+.

Where to Buy Cameras

eBay is one of the easiest and cheapest places to detect used Polaroid cameras. Since you can buy them straight from other people, you can often find deals on eBay you lot won't exist able to find elsewhere. Even improve than eBay, merely requiring a scrap more legwork, are flea markets, used stores, and basements.

If you don't desire to mess with the trials and tribulations of seeking out your own used photographic camera and have money to spare, Polaroid sells certified vintage cameras that are guaranteed to work. You will pay a premium, merely information technology can exist worth it to know what you're getting is going to actually spit out a picture.

If you want to purchase a new Polaroid camera like the Now+, you can purchase it directly from Polaroid.

Specific Camera Recommendations

At present that I got you all confused, here are a few unproblematic recommendations organized by price betoken and the type of photographer its intended for. Honestly, almost any vintage or new Polaroid camera will exercise the chore (as long equally information technology works), simply I idea I'd give a few specific suggestions to aid get you started. Continue in listen that Polaroid liked to make countless variants of their cameras with only the slightest differences in colour and features, and so yous'll see all sorts of dissimilar names, colors, and branding in the wild.

Clicking on any of the eBay, Amazon, Polaroid, or B&H links below will take you lot directly to a search for that specific kind of photographic camera. These affiliate links cost you null and helps me keep this site online, then information technology'southward always much appreciated if yous utilize any of them!

If you take a camera in mitt and y'all're wondering what to practice next, never fear, I have a new guide for those who are merely starting from the start in the earth of instant motion-picture show!

The Polaroid At present+ is the best photographic camera for those who want something new rather than vintage. It's also very handsome.

Best New Polaroid Photographic camera for the Beginner Lensman – Polaroid At present+

For those but starting out and who want something make new, nothing beats the Polaroid Now+. Different many of the vintage Polaroid cameras on this listing, the Now+ is made brand new, which means it'll take fewer issues with reliability. Unlike the cheaper Now, the autofocus seems to piece of work properly on the Now+. Even better, it connects to an app via bluetooth, which makes it a great camera for selfies (which I discuss more below). I thing I love about the Polaroid Now+ is that information technology is a very good looking camera. In fact, I'd fence it is the best looking plastic box-type camera on the list. Bank check out my full review. Purchase direct from Polaroid.

Best Upkeep Vintage Photographic camera for the Lensman – Polaroid OneStep Close-Upwardly 600

The Polaroid OneStep Closeup is a workhorse of a photographic camera that just keeps going. It's also quite inexpensive and readily bachelor on both used sites and refurbished. Despite its fixed focus lens and slightly bulky size, I use this camera constantly just because I know I can always rely on it. This camera too works great with Polaroid Originals films and makes a great improver to a serious photographer'southward drove. While I'm singling out the OneStep Closeup, there are tons of other like variants of this kind of fixed-focus 600 type camera that are oft referred to equally 'box cameras' due to their shape and plastic-y design. These cameras are all pretty much every bit expert as the OneStep Closeup. My full review. Find the Polaroid OneStep Closeup Camera on eBay. Find used on Amazon. Refurbished from Polaroid.

Best Mid-Range Vintage Camera for Photographers – Polaroid Impulse AF

The Polaroid Impulse AF isn't the prettiest photographic camera on the block, simply it gets the job washed and done very well. Despite the cheap body, the photographic camera is sturdy and features a fantastic sonar autofocus system that ensures your images are e'er in focus. Because it's non fixed-focus like the CloseUp, images are slightly sharper. The best part of the Impulse AF is that it has ane of the brightest viewfinders of whatever 600 type camera. The Impulse AF is a groovy camera to start out on (it was my starting time photographic camera) and grows with the photographer if they determine to get serious about instant film photography. Information technology as well has the brightest viewfinder I've found on any rangefinder type 600 Polaroid photographic camera. My full review. Find the Polaroid Impulse AF on eBay. Refurbished at Polaroid.

Best Camera for the Collector – Polaroid OneStep Classic Country Camera

If you lot have somebody who simply wants something cool for their vintage drove, you can't crush the iconic rainbow-striped SX-70 Polaroid OneStep. They're non the most robust cameras in the world, but they're plentiful and instantly recognizable. They're also a lot of fun… if they work. Chances are, you're going to meet a lot of duds when it comes to erstwhile SX-70 plastic cameras, but the depression price tends to make upwards for that. If it works, the controls are ultra simple, and even a not-photographer will exist able to employ the camera with ease. Simply make sure they shoot outside because SX-70 film needs a ton of light and this camera doesn't have a flash congenital into it. My full review. Find the Polaroid OneStep on eBay.

Best Option for the Luxury Camera Collector – SX-70 Land Camera

The silver SX-70 Country Camera is quite possibly one of the nigh beautiful cameras ever made. The SLR series was Edwin Land'southward signature blueprint, and made no compromises. If somebody wants an amazing camera to put on the shelf and admire, this is the one. Cheaper than the SLR 680 I recommend for serious professionals, this camera is pure eye candy. As a camera, it can exist slightly temperamental and prone to intermission, just it responds well to some TLC. Since information technology's an SLR, this camera makes information technology easy to frame your shot and ensure your focus. Quite simply, it's a nail to use. The picture above is the sonar variant, and I reviewed a plastic version, but the metal not-autofocus models are the true beauties. My total review of a similar model. Find the Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera on eBay. Find a refurbished original SX-70 at B&H. Refurbished at Polaroid.

The box is full of all kinds of goodies, making it perfect for a gift.

Best Camera for the Selfie Photographer – Polaroid At present+

Shopping for a selfie fanatic? The At present+ gives you the ability to control the camera remotely with a smartphone. It tin't quite shoot from arm's length, but so again, no camera on this list can focus that shut. The smartphone allows for remote shutter, manual controls, and more, making it also great for putting information technology on a tripod and pointing information technology at yourself. Check out my full review. Purchase directly from Polaroid.

Best Camera for the Serious Photographer at Any Toll – Polaroid SLR 680/690

The Polaroid SLR 680 or 690 is the big daddy of Polaroid cameras and the tool of choice for many of the biggest professional analog photographers working today. A robust design perfected from Edwin Land's original folding camera, information technology features a fantastic sonar autofocus system. Best of all, since it's an SLR y'all tin can accurately compose your paradigm and even manually focus. Y'all simply get tin't better than this in the instant film world. My total review of the Polaroid 680. Find the Polaroid SLR 680 Photographic camera on eBay.

If you're interested in working with SX-70 film instead of 600, the Polaroid SX-70 OneStep Sonar Land Camera is the precursor to the 680 and is also an excellent SLR camera with autofocus capabilities – but no built-in flash. I recommend going with the 680/690 if coin is no object simply because 600 film works far, far works in most lighting conditions. Information technology's wise to invest in a flashbar with any SX-70 photographic camera. My total review of the SX-lxx OneStep Sonar Land Camera. Find the Polaroid OneStep Sonar Photographic camera on eBay.
Notice the SX-lxx Sonar refurbished at B&H.

Purchasing Film for Used and New Polaroid Cameras

You tin can purchase all the Polaroid cameras in the world, but without picture show they're nothing more than than pretty paperweights. These days vintage Polaroid motion picture is all but nonexistent, and fifty-fifty if yous tin find it, it costs a fortune and has a high rate of failure. That's where modern Polaroid comes in to relieve the solar day.

Polaroid makes new color and monochrome films for I-type, 600, and SX-70 cameras. As long as you know what kind of camera yous have, you'll exist able to notice some film for it. Take a camera and don't know what kind of picture show y'all need? I take a whole commodity to help you figure that out. I recommend getting a pack of the newest generation color moving picture to test out a new camera, as expired Polaroid and older Polaroid Originals (or Impossible Project) film can often spaz out and neglect.

Good luck and happy shooting (and gifting)!

If you're wondering what to do next, check out my beginner'southward guide to using Polaroid cameras. I as well have a guide on how to scan your pictures then you lot tin can edit and share them!

If you enjoyed this article and desire to stay upwardly to date with everything happening in the world of instant moving-picture show photography, bank check out my newsletter! I only put it out four times a year, so y'all don't need to worry about me clogging up your inbox, I promise!

Source: https://danfinnen.com/article/buying-guide-for-used-polaroid-cameras/

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